jbud2

I have bent them too, while quilting. Some I 'try' to straighten, others I pitch. Sometimes a bent needle isn't too bad.

TheSevenYearStitch

I used to straighten them but I don't bother anymore. Once they're bent and then straightened, they tend to bend again more easily. What's worse is that they break more easily, too!

Lynnie25

I use #8s for hand quilting and can bend and break them regularly because of the way I quilt. I can go through 2-3 packets quilting one quilt. Have never straightened them, just toss them away.

SeamRipper

A fish-hook maker like me, huh? I have switched to a John James "size 11 mi-longues". They are still nice and thin (like the 12's) but they are a shorter needle. I figured out that I was bending needles because I was loading too many stitches on the needle. The shorter needle length doesn't allow me to do that. I've tried the John James betweens that come in the itty bitty envelopes but they fish-hook on me in no time. I've tried unbending them but end up with grooves along the length of the needle that catches on the fabric.

patricej

does straight into the trash can count?

117becca

I was having that problem w/ John James needles. I am always trying new needles just because. My new favorite needle is from Jeana Kimball's Foxglove Cottage. I use Betweens/Quilting Size 10. The needle is shorter, but a bit thicker/stronger than I find John James. Took me a bit of time to get used to the shorter needle, but I'm happy.

You can find them online. I originally found them in an out of town quilt store.

Holice

I am not aware you can straighten a needle successfuly.
If you are having the problem constantly I suggest you write The Colonial Needle Company in White Plains NY. they distribute the needle and might have some suggestions for you and a recommendation for a substitution.

clynns

I bend alot of them when I'm hand quilting. I was working on a wholecloth quilt until my hand surgery in 2004 (and no, it's not done yet, about 2/3 of the way there). I would bend them on a regular basis. It's hard to use them when they get bent. They keep wanting to turn in your hand. I would go for a stronger, larger needle. I always used betweens. They were between all right. Between me and the trash can. LOL

Kristin in ME

Ok, thanks for the input, everyone. Looks like I will probably just have to accept going through a lot of needles. Seems like in the past I didn't have this problem... And I thought 25 betweens in a pack was a lot and wondered why on earth you would need so many!