machine needles for quilting

Gee, Taria, we must have found a great price because my notes say I haven't bought any needles this entire year. If someone doesn't remember our site, I can go look back through my 05 notes. If you want a needle that you don't have to think much about, the green band Schmetz seems to do very well on just about everything. I do change over to a tough one if I am Forced to hem jeans and might, maybe, change to one with a long scarf if I'm using a fussy metallic. And marvelous big huge best wishes for the escrow goings on. Polly [the numbers on the Schmetz 'quilting' needle packs say 130/705 H-Q, 75/11.]

Thanks Polly. Someone is bound to remember the site. I put off hemming jeans until DH starts rolling the hems up like he is a kid of the 50's again. His hinting is anything but subtle.

HOpe to have good news about the house. (actually it is the close for the house we are selling and we are moving back to our desert house) It will be the first time I have a dedicated sewing space since I was a teenager. I have always liked sewing in the midst of everything but this room is off the living room so it is close and has a bright morning sun. DD has been living in that house full time since June. She is threatening to get an apt. when we move back. I just smiled and kept my mouth shut. If she does that who am I to stop her

Taria

polly esther wrote:

I don't use universal needles for anything, Taria. I need all the help I can get! and a sharp needle is a big help. Nowadays, I use microtex (sometimes), but most I use jeans needles (except for the odd metallica). For machine quilting - which needs the most help! - I find a new jeans needle serves me best. I use 11's or 10's for both piecing and quilting. Mind you, I do go pretty slowly! Do hope all goes well with the house. . In message , Taria writes

No, sorry! I get mine in bulk from a local shop.

Either quilting or Jeans needles, usually. I always have some to hand. For quilting I use 80's, but I keep some 90's handy for tougher projects like curtain making.

Save them for piecing.

Fingers are crossed! :)

I used to use Schmetz needles and still have several left of various kinds - metallic, microtex, jeans, quilting. When I got the embroidery machine I had to find a cheaper source of needles because after thousands of stitches per design, it's best to change them frequently. I started buying Organ needles, and found they worked well. Then I tried using them in my other machines for piecing and machine quilting. Although I still use a Schmetz quilting needle occasionally, I really can't tell the difference in my machines. I most recently bought needles at

where they sell Organ for $10 per box. Just as an aside, I ordered from Allstitch on Wednesday morning and UPS brought the package to the door Thursday afternoon!! I was flabbergasted! They also have good prices on stabilizer and NEB bobbins, in case anyone here also does machine embroidery.

Iris

In message , Taria writes

The only time I use a universal needle, Taria, is when I'm mending (ugh!) something that's poly/cotton. For piecing and FM quilting, I use a sharper needle, with size depending on the size of the thread. I love jeans and microtex needles -- jeans most, though. I generally use a size

80/12 for piecing, except for paper piecing, where a 90/14 is better. For quilting, an 80/12 will work well with a 50 or 60wt cotton thread, though a 60 works best with 100wt silk thread and a 90 may be necessary with a heavier cotton like the YLI. HTH. Unfortunately, my old source for inexpensive Schmetz needles has disappeared, so I can't help there. :(

I usually use Schmetz 80/12 jeans needles for piecing and quilting. I bought a bunch from a few months ago, based on recommendations from someone in this group. The service was good, as I recall.

I have used universal needles for piecing (they work okay for that) and keep some around for those times when I am sewing knits (not a very common occurrence these days :)

Julia > I am trying to remember the link for the good prices on Schmetz machine

Is this the site you may be looking for:

I obtained this site from Cats in Oz. I've ordered from them and all went well. Hope this was what you were looking for.

Yep that is it. I just been nosing around there. I think I'll get several different boxes so I'll have a choice and can mess around with what works best. Buying cards of needles is just a big pain for me and it isn't an all day production here!

Thanks to every> Yes. That's the one. It has been just so nice to be ready to change

Has anyone tried this source?

have used them for my Middle school classes for quite a while and they seem to work well under the stress of Kids. not a bad price either.Audrey

Good thoughts and organizational vibes on the way!