Cheshire Cat

What am I doing wrong. What kind of needle do I need? My needles bend.

Scissor Queen

They're supposed to bend. If they don't bend they snap and that's way worse.

sewingladydi

They do bend, but if it seems excessive to you, trying hooping it looser(I'm assuming you are using some type of hoop or frame).

feline fanatic

I don't agree. I rarely bend needles when handquilting and when I do it is only after hours and hours of usage and many I have not bent so I really don't think they are supposed to bend. I used to bend all the time and outright break them. I attributed to the following:

1. Cheap quality needles
2. Quilt sandwich too tight in the lap hoop


Try loosening up your tension a bit if you are using a lap hoop. If you are using a floor frame, try switching needle brands. I sear by Roxanne needles. I use a size 11 between.

Many here swear by John James brand. I have not tried those.

Cheshire Cat

I have it on a quilt frame, maybe a little tight.

They bend and don't unbend so it isn't just flexing.

I think I need to go buy some better needles then.

Thanks for your help.

jbud2

I took particular notice this time while I am hand quilting a throw since there was another thread about bending needles on here not that long ago. My needle did NOT bend while I was doing straight line stitching. But when I started quilting circles, I tried to continue getting as many stitches on the needle, and I ended up with a bent needle. Now I know two things -a bent needle doesn't like to stitch straight lines anymore, and not try to get the same number of stitches on a needle when doing curvy work.

Borntohandquilt

You can have a look here:

http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-94621-1.htm

Cheshire Cat

ah ha! Yes, I'm doing hearts.