theothermarion wrote: I always thought that concept was developed by the needle industry. I normally only replace them when they start misbehaving or break and haven't had any problem from that. The titanium needles really last a LOT longer. Every now and then, though, I will feel the end of the needle to see if it has developed a barb or is bent. I'll replace them then too.

I have recently heard that you should replace needles every week or 40 hours of quilting. This adds up to a lot of needles (This from someone who replaced them when they broke or I heard them punch the fabric....) I recently went to titanium needles, which stay sharp until you break them. Organ is the manufacturer a local shop stocks.

Thank you for your quick responses! Glad she won't have to add special needles to her list.

I have used lots of different kinds of needles on my Janome without any problems either.

I use Schmetz needles in my Janome (I also use a non-branded one that I get from Boyes's - a local department chain around Yorkshire) and don't have any problems provided I use the right size for the thread/job

I've always heard that all machines can use a standard needle like a Schmetz needle except Singers. Is that still true?

Do you have a Janome that uses Schmetz or regular needles or do they have to have special Janome needles?

Thanks! ...Shopping with a friend but I'm a Bernina girl so don't know this answer.