ckcowl

the type of fabric has nothing much to do with a needle choice- the needle is decided upon by the thread being used. if you visit Superior Threads you can print off a chart that tells you what needle to use with what thread. I use a 14 when using invisible or silk thread, a 16 when using 60 wt thread, an 18 if using heavier thread- but it all depends on what the recommended needle is for the thread I have chosen. the free charts from Superior Threads are really great resources to have. they explain the differences in threads, needles for long arm, domestic machine & hand stitching...a great place to find answers to many questions regarding threads and needles.

cindi

I use a 14 or 16, whatever is available, and change them when I start having problems with the thread shredding or I hear a sort of "popping" sound, which tells me the needle is getting dull. I've done 6 or 7 quilts with one needle! Needles are just something I don't deal with unless needed - I can't see wasting a perfectly good needle if it works LOL! Same with my DSM, as far as changing the needle.

Yarn or Fabric

I use Glide thread and a size 16 needle.

CarolynMT

My long arm manufacturer recommends size 18 needles for everything.....I generally stitch with 40wt poly and occasionally with king tut cotton. The 18s work fine with them.

When I work with the thinner threads (so fine when I can get it to work) I use size 16. Havent tried using silk thread yet, so havent had a need for the smaller needles.

I will say this, I have heard all kinds of advice on how to work with batiks. From needle sizes, stitch lengths, thread types, how to prep for piecing and quilting. I have no idea where these "rules" come from to be honest. I work nearly exclusively with batiks (I love them ) and never do anything different with them than I do with the cotton fabrics.

My guess for these rules is that perhaps when batiks first came out they needed special handling, but the quality of batiks out now....I have never seen or ran into any issues with them. I would recommend just treating them like good quality quilting cotton unless you run into a problem.

joyce888

Thanks everyone for all the helpful information. I've printed out the Superior Threads charts. It was recommended by my dealer to use a size 18 for everything but I knew that couldn't be right for all thread, especially when I started getting shredding.