The Best Machine Quilting Needles for Your Sewing Machine – Review of Top Brands

The Best Machine Quilting Needles for Your Sewing Machine – Review of Top Brands photo 4

Everything You Need to Know About Machine Quilting Needles

If you’re new to machine quilting, you may have a lot of questions about the equipment and tools needed to get started. One of the most important components is choosing the right machine quilting needle for your projects. In this comprehensive guide, I’ll cover all the ins and outs of machine quilting needles to ensure you pick the perfect one for your skills and fabric.

What Attributes Define Machine Quilting Needles?

Machine quilting needles come in various sizes, tips, and shaft thicknesses. The three main attributes to consider are:

  1. Size: Quilting needles typically range from sizes 70/10 through 100/16. The higher the first number, the finer the needle. Finer needles are good for quilting delicate fabrics while thicker needles can handle heavier cottons and layers.
  2. Tip: Look for sharp, tapered tips designed for machine quilting. Blunt household needles can damage fabrics. The two common tip styles are sharp and universal (rounded at the eye and tapered).
  3. Shaft: Thinner shafts glide through fabric smoothly while thicker shafts can withstand slight fabric misfeeds better. Too thin and the needle may bend.

Choosing the Right Size

As a general rule, use sizes 80/12 or 90/14 for quilting most cotton fabrics. But size also depends on needle use and fabric thickness:

  • Piecing – sizes 70/10 to 80/12 for tight seams
  • Quilting plain fabric – 80/12 to 90/14 for cotton and flannel
  • Quilting multiple layers – 90/14 to 100/16 for cotton batting and backing
  • Quilting delicate fabric – 70/10 to 80/12 for voile, batiste, silk

It’s worth testing your fabric with different needle sizes to see which works best for your machine and stitching needs. I usually start on the finer side and increase size if the needle bends or fabric feels snagged.

Universal vs. Sharp Needles

Both universal (rounded) and sharp tips work well for quilting, though sharp needles may pierce fabric slightly easier. Universal needles glide a bit smoother and contribute less friction and feed issues, so I opt for them whenever possible.

In general, use universal needles for regular quilting and sharp needles when: piecing small, dense seams; machine applique; quilting multiple thick layers; or sewing heavy denim, vinyl, or leather.

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Thick vs. Thin Needle Shafts

Thin shafts under 0.7mm work great for my domestic machine and most cotton quilting. But if I’m quilting several layers of flannel or wool, I use a slightly thicker 0.8-1.0mm shaft for added strength and less bending. Thick shafts over 1.0mm are best reserved for industrial machines.

The shaft width also depends on your machine – high-speed machines may benefit from stiffer shafts while vintage machines run smoother with more flexible thin shafts.

Other Tips and Considerations

In addition to size, tip, and shaft attributes, here are a few other tips:

  1. Replace often: Dull needles cause more thread breakage. Replace every 4-6 hours of quilting.
  2. Sharpen manually: Using a universal needle sharpener and light strokes keeps needles sharp longer. Also handy for occasional thinning.
  3. Brand matters: Top brands like Organ, topstitch, and Microtex offer premium sharpness and quality shafts. Cheap off-brands dull faster.
  4. Store flat: Rolling needles causes kinks. Stand them point-down in a container or lay flat in packaging.
  5. Clean gunk: Oil, lint, and built-up threads dull tips. Clean with alcohol before sharpening.
  6. Use presser foot pressure: Too light and fabric may shift. Too much and needle bends.

With quality needles in the right size for your project and machine, you’ll be set up for smooth, even quilting. But don’t be afraid to experiment – every quilter develops their favorite needle preferences over time.

Handling Needle Thread Breaks

Even with the perfect needle, thread breaks can still happen when quilting. Here are my tips for efficiently handling those unexpected breaks:

  1. Always rethread from the spool: Trying to thread the needle after a break usually ends up taking longer.
  2. Clip thread tails: Cut thread ends close to fabric to minimize tangles when restarting.
  3. Restitch 1-2 stitches: Backstitch 1-2 times over the fabric edge before resuming your quilting design.
  4. Carry thread: For long runs, lay thread tails under presser foot to avoid excessive rethreading later.
  5. Secure starts and ends: Backstitching 3-5 stitches guarantees strong starts/stops and minimizes breaks there.

With practice, quick thread changes become second nature. And fewer breaks means more quilting time – basically a win-win situation if you ask me!

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Common Quilting Needle Mistakes

We’ve all been there – making less than ideal needle choices that result in frustration. Here are some all-too-common mistakes to avoid:

  1. Using household needles: Their dull tips snag fabric and don’t last.
  2. Not changing often enough: Dull needles cause skipped stitches, breaks, and damage fabric.
  3. Too fine a size: Needles bend and break more easily. Slightly thicker is safer for multiple layers.
  4. Too thick a size: Creates friction leading to poor tension and snags.
  5. Wrong shaft thickness: Too thin bends, too thick causes jams. Find the happy medium.
  6. Poor storage: Kinked needles dull faster than fresh, straight ones.

With practice, you’ll gain the know-how to select the perfect needle for any quilting job. But don’t stress if mistakes happen – that’s how we all learn!

Final Thoughts on Machine Quilting Needles

I hope this detailed guide has answered all your questions about choosing and using the right machine quilting needles. While there are many needle options to sort through at first, focusing on just a few key attributes like size, tip style, and shaft thickness provides a good starting point.

Remember – every quilter develops their own needle preferences and system over time. So don’t be afraid to experiment too! With high-quality needles suited for your fabric and machine, you’ll be well on your way to gorgeous quilting.

Let me know if any part of the guide needs more clarification. Happy quilting!

Machine Quilting Needle Comparison

Needle Type Size Material Suitability
Microtex 70/10 Stainless Steel Fine fabrics
Quilting 75/11 Stainless Steel Most quilting projects
Topstitch 80/12 Stainless Steel Reinforced seams
Denim 90/14 Stainless Steel Heavy fabrics
Ballpoint 75/11 Carbon Steel Stretch/knit fabrics
Wing 75/11 Carbon Steel Machine applique

FAQ

  1. What size machine quilting needle should I use?

    The size of machine quilting needle depends mainly on the thickness of the fabric layers and threads. For basic quilting of cotton fabric and thread, a size 80/12 needle works well. However, thicker fabrics may require a size 90/14 needle. At the same time, very fine fabrics and threads can use a smaller 70/10 needle. Overall, starting with a size 80/12 needle is a safe bet.

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  2. How often should I change my machine quilting needles?

    Most experts say to change your machine quilting needle after 8 to 10 hours of sewing. The sharp point can become dull over time, which can cause skipped stitches or even fabric damage. For thick fabrics or multiple layers, you may need to change it even more regularly, like every 4 to 6 hours. On the flip side, if you’re basically just sewing light weight cottons, a needle might last 12 to 15 hours before getting blunt. So check your work and change it if you see fuzzy or skipped stitches. Better safe than sorry!

  3. What’s the difference between sharp and microtex needles?

    The main difference involves the tip. Sharp needles have a straight, sharp point ideal for general sewing and quilting of cotton fabrics. Microtex needles feature an extra-sharp dual ground tip. The double beveled tip is specially designed to prevent skipped stitches in microfibers, ultra suede, and other loosely woven or stretchy fabrics. So if you find yourself quilting with lots of knits or stretchy fabrics, a microtex needle may kind of be your new BFF.

  4. Do I need ballpoint needles for quilting?

    Not necessarily. Ballpoint needles have a slightly rounded tip that’s meant for knits to prevent snagging delicate fibers. For regular cotton quilting, a sharp needle typically works better. However, if you’re quilting a project with some knit accents like a t-shirt quilt, a ballpoint needle ensures you don’t poke holes in those pieces. Perhaps try quilting with a sharp first, and if you notice snags, switch to ballpoint for those areas. Flexibility is key!

  5. What’s the difference between topstitch and quilting needles?

    At first glance, they appear very similar. However, topstitch needles have a slightly thicker shank for sturdiness. The reinforcing stitches of topstitching require putting the needle through multiple fabric layers repeatedly. quilting needles feature a finer tapered shank and sharper tip for precision when piecing or quilting finer details. Honestly, you could probaby quilt with a topstitch needle in a pinch. But for best results, match the needle to the job.

  6. How do I store machine quilting needles?

    It’s always a good idea to keep your needles in a case when not in use. This prevents them from getting damaged or lost. I used to just toss mine in a little bowl by the sewing machine. Unfortunately, they’d easily get tangled or pop out. Now I keep them safely tucked away in a magnetic needle case. Some folks like using old thread spools too. But as long as it’s enclosed and labeled with the size, you’re golden! Proper needle storage helps them last way longer.

  7. What’s the best way to thread a machine quilting needle?

    Most experts agree the easiest method is to slide the thread behind the sharp needle eye from front to back. Then bring both thread ends to the back before threading the needle. This prevents overlapping the thread and causing knots. I struggled with threading for ages until a quilting friend showed me this simple “front to back” technique. Now it only takes me like 2 seconds! Practice makes perfect, my friend. With a steady hand and good lighting, you’ll be a proNeedle thrEader in no time!

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