I have a question for you: what kind and brand sewing machine needles do you use?
When I first started sewing, I started purchasing Singer needles because I had a Singer sewing machine. I didn't know what I was doing and it seemed like a good idea. Since then, I have continued to purchase those simply because it was what I knew. I have deviated a couple times with very poor results. I found that one brand's needles would break very easily, regularly shred my thread, and would lead to much aggravation on my end. After a spell of the aforementioned aggravation while quilting my last quilt, it made me start to wonder, what needles are other quilters using?
20 comments:
schmetz, usually - they sell them @ joanns, i tend to buy when on sale...what size did you use for quilting? 90s are better, I think
I also use schmetz, size 80 for quilting fabrics. My sewing machine manual gives recommendations on needle sizes for various fabrics and threads, so I just follow that.
I just use regular old needles and regular old polyester thread and I've never had the problems that I hear about with needles breaking and thread shredding. Perhaps I don't sew sufficient volumes to run into these things.
I used to buy Schmetz for my Bernina, as my friend could get them in a 100-count pack. Then I discovered a needle co-op and use 80/12 Organ needles now. Typically $13 for 100 needles, includes shipping.
Schmetz here also= Have a Pfaff and a Singer
I use Schmetz needles that I buy at Joann's when they are half off. I have two Husqvarna Vikings, a Singer, a Janome, and a few Brothers.
i always use schmetz, and always have good results
Schmetz!
@Leah S: what's a needle co-op? I want needles that cheap!
I get the ones at JoAnn's for half-off...Dritz, I think...5 come in a red plastic holder. Never had a problem.
Schmetz 80/12 for piecing and for machine quilting I use a larger size like a 14 or even a 16.
schmetz, either quilting or universal size. I sew with a pfaff.
I also use Schmetz needles. The size I use depends on the project and the thread I'm using.
Regardless of needles, just make sure youa re changing them frequently. One for piecing and a new one or two or three for quilting.
I use Singer needles, partly because I have a Singer machine. Do you use a heavy duty needle for quilting? I've found that's a must for me; if I don't I usually end up with broken needles and/or shredded thread.
Jennifer :)
When I started sewing on my mom's machine, she had a Singer so we used Singer needles. I used Kenmore needles on my Sears machine and switched to Schmetz which I used successfully on my Brother, Singer, and 2 Vikings. I currently use Organ needles. I find they last longer and I like the way my stitches look when I use them. Of course, this may all be my imagination.
So here's the next logical question: what size needle does everyone use for different jobs?
I use a 9 (lightweight) for piecing, and a 16 (heavy duty/topstitching) for (duh) topstitching, assembling lots of fleece-interfaced bag layers, and quilting.
Does that sound right? I'm putting together my co-op order :)
I use 80/12 for EVERYTHING! :D
I found 70/11 a bit too weak for piecing and sometimes it'd have to pop into the fabric.
I tried 90/12 for free-motioning a couple of times, but in one thread (Robinson-Anton) it was snap, snap, snap every couple of inches. The fix? Going to an 80/12 needle. Didn't break again. And I tried like 3 different kinds of 90/12 needles - regular, quilting, and something else.
So now I just use 80/12 for everything. Piecing, free-motioning, bindings, denim, thick layers, etc.
I also use Essential Thread from Connectingthreads.com for everything too - piecing, quilting, hand sewing. I've tried Aurifil, C&C, Maxi-Lock, Robinson-Anton, Guittermann... I'm sure there's been more. I just keep coming back to Essential thread. :)
Oops! that'd be 90/14, not 90/12. It's been like 3 or 4 years since I put that size into my machine. :)
I think I use singer needles.. I used to use universals because I didn't know any better, had tons of problem with free-motion quilting, tried "sharps" specifically for quilting and that seems to work much better.
Cheers,
Christine
I use Organ needles. Most of the machines pack them in their kits, and they are much more reasonably priced than Schmetz. I haven't had any problems so far. I usually buy them in 100 packs, and so due to the reasonable price, they can be changed often.
I use the Organ needles (seen here: http://sewkatiedid.wordpress.com/2010/03/03/tools-of-the-trade/). I get them at Haberman Fabrics in Royal Oak (where my sewing machine dealer is). I'm sure that any local sewing machine place would have them. I can't remember the number, but I use the medium/heavy size for quilting. I think they come 12 in a pack and they're less than $5.
Organ, usually 80/12. They're the ones that came with my machine and are so much cheaper than Schmetz (especially on ebay).
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