Blueridgebeverly

Great info!

SusieQOH

Usually after I'm finished with a quilt or a long session of piecing or quilting.
I'm probably guilty of not changing needles or rotary blades enough.

jmoore

Every two full bobbins...in goes a new needle.

Austinite

I change needles with each quilt or if it's something smaller every 2-3 projects. For the needles I use the 60-70c per needle cost is nothing compared to the cost of batting and fabric.

Patrick's Mom

I change needles and clean out the case after 3 bobbins (class 15 size). If I don't, the top thread begins to break.

Barb in Louisiana

I use titanium embroidery needles and change them when I hear them start to pop as they go through the fabric. I have no idea of how many hours of sewing that is, but it is a lot!

Railroadersbrat

I change after every quilt, religiously. I also take a permanent marker and mark the top of the needle so that way I can keep track of my needles and if I need to make a fast repair on something, I know to grab the needles that are marked instead of a new one. The needle may not be sharp enough for my needs when I'm quilting, but it's still plenty sharp enough for a fast repair or another project that's not as big as a quilt. After a quilt, though, I'm breaking down my machine to clean and oil it, so it makes sense to me to put in a new needle then.

I'm also one that will take a second and dust out underneath the throat plate and around the race when I'm changing out bobbins. Although here lately, I have to stop what I'm doing about midway through a bobbin to clean everything out, the fuzz that's been collecting has been much more than usual. Not sure what's up with that

sandy l

Probably not as often as I should, but when it starts the pop noise when sewing, I do. The change after two bobbins empty is a good idea.

juliasb

I am one of those people who let it go way to long. I probably let it go every twenty hours or when I think about it. I can usually make 2 large quilt tops before I change a needle.

Onebyone

Machine needles are least expensive item we use for sewing. I change needles often. And when I change to a different size needle I don't try to save the needle I took out too much hassle to keep up with what size and all and how used it is. I buy standard size needles in bulk and speciality sizes when I need them.