How often do you change your needles?
 

I have read all kinds of things about needles except on how often do you change them. After how many hours? When they break? After how many quilts are made? If you use your DSM to sew other things? When the needle responds as if dull? All or none of these? Or is it pretty much individual preference.
I hate to waste needles but want the best looking quilts my needles can give me.

I change needles frequently and depending on project type. If there are troubles, the needle is the first thing to troubleshoot. Even new needles can be bent or have a burr.

LQS says to change after eight hours of stitching but I don't keep track. LOL!

In fact, it really is time to change the needle today!

When I notice that it's making sort of a "dull" sound - or it's bent or broken.

I put a new needle in after any any project. On a queen or king quilt I change as I feel it is needed when it is not running smoothly.

About every 8 hours of run time, or at the beginning of a new project.

The only time I change my needle is if I'm having some kind of problem, but I believe "they" say you're supposed to change them every 8 hours of sewing.

I too have been told 8 hr of sewing time but also told that some needles, like topstitch needles are in need of more change outs? I like my top stitch needles and would not be able to complete an entire quilt with a single needle. Hummm.

Usually on my Brother PQ1500 where I do mostly FMQ and some piecing, I change it after every project. On my smaller machines I use for piecing, I am bad about changing the needle. I can usually hear it when it needs changing. I don't break needles anymore so can't depend on that!!!

Whenever I think “when was the last time I changed the needle?”. Shoot, I’ll do 5 or 8 quilts before I ever change the needle :D

I change my needle every 2 bobbins, since I only wind two bobbins at a time, it reminds me that while winding I need to change my needle, remove bobbin case and clean all the lint out.