Prissnboot

Quick question, how often do you change out your hand quilting needles, or how do you know when to do so?

I'm doing english paper piecing, and I have a bunch of needles, but wondering how often they should be discarded?

Thanks.

Tartan

When hand quilting, I change when my needle bends or breaks. In EPP I would change when it started being difficult to pierce the paper from getting dull.

bearisgray

Same answer I would give. In fact, I still use some of my needles when they have a slight bend in them.

NJ Quilter

I'm with Tartan and bearisgray. I change quilting needles when they bend/break. Hand sewing - when they get dull. On rare occasions that happens with quilting needles as well.

P-BurgKay

I use new needles with every quilt. After I finish a king size quilt, I throw the needles away and get new ones, of course, on wall hanging, etc., I will quilt 4 or 5 and then get new needles, it makes a difference to me, as the needles get dull. A sharp needle is a must for me. I took a hand quilting class and this is what we were told, it really seems to make a difference to me. And needles are relative inexpensive.

bearisgray

Try using a new one and then compare the one you are using with it. See if there is a noticeable difference to you.