After trying many different needles and brands of quilting thread, I have decided my favorite needle is a size 11 Big Eye needle by John James. It's a short needle, but it doesn't bend like a size 10 or 12 does. Also, you can thread it without a needle threader, if you use the following quilting threads: YLI or Guttermann. Both threads are 100% cotton, but have a finish to them that makes them easy to thread. A needle threader for quilters would help also. My favorite is the Clover double threader - one end for regular needles, and the other end for small eye needle like betweens. Hope this helps!