My favorites are Roxanne's #11. large eye and doesn't snap and break.
Sometimes the batting choice can be the hard push through the fabric.
My favorite bat is wool that's like butter! Then Fairfield Softtouch.

Trudy

Yes, it is the same needle that we tried. I concur; I felt it hung up in the fabric. We both tried multiple needles; but found that none would glide like butter through our fabric.

eileenkny wrote:
You know I think everyone needs to try out as many needles as possible to find their preferred needle. I am pretty sure this is the same needle that Terry Knott and I tried at a class together this year and neither one of us liked them. I thought that they would glide like butter and instead the black on the needle actually created a drag for me. It tired out my hand and was difficult for me to use.

Terry, if you read this -- is this the same needle we tried at Sylvia's class?

My church quilting group likes Piecemakers needles. We order them from our local quiltshop. Size 12 betweens are our favorite because "the smaller the needle, the smaller the stitch."
I also like Roxanne needles very much.

I'm not a hand quilter anymore but I used to be. I loved Roxanne's needles and still have some (in case I get the urge ).

I read Sandra Leichner's blog-she's a hand appliquer whose work I love. The other day, she talked about a new needle she was working with that a friend had given her. It's the Clover Black Gold Hand Sewing needle. She was so surprised and excited about these needles. Now, she was talking about the applique sharps but they also have quilting betweens. They're a little pricey but we do get what you pay for nowadays, don't we?
Here's the site: http://www.clover-usa.com/product/69400/4960-63/_/Black_Gold_Hand_Sewing_Needles_%28Quilting_Between%29

Hope this helps,

If you are using perle cotton you would need to go for a larger embroidery/crewel needle (larger eye) or perhaps a chenille needle. It is the same principal as machine needles - thicker thread = larger/thicker needle.

Wende Grande puts it well when talking about needles for sewing silk ribbon in 'her show'.

What if you are using perle cotton?

me too. :=)

ajw622....I use smalls for batiks and other tightly wovens...med.s for the rest....good luck .

I am going to try thimbleladys needles. ty do u use med. for quilting

The Thimbleladys' needles are my very favorite as well!! I use her method of hand quilting ,too !

My all time favorites are mady by "Thimblelady" and I wouldn't use anything else (unless desperate!) They just glide thru the fabric.

I really like Richard Hemmings size 11, as well as John James, but whenever I see a needle I haven't tried before I buy a package - in case I find something that's better. What works well for me may not work well for you.

Janet

I also recommend John James needles as my favourite brand, they use this brand on the 'Row' (Savile Row) for tailoring and if nothing else they sure know about sewing there!
A brand to avoid is Pony, they are horrible and rust up very quickly (for me at least - but this depends upon your personal skin acidity)