Question about needle changing
#21
I buy Organ titanium needles and they seem to last forever! I have pieced about 6 quilts and quilted at least 4 quilts on the needle I am using now. Not sure how many hours that is, but at least 50. I am starting to notice the popping sound when the needle hits the fabric and was just thinking earlier today I should probably change the needle on my Juki and the blades on my rotary cutter.
#25
I only do piecing on my DMS. I wind a dozen bobbins at a time. When I do that, I also clean my machine, and change my needle. It's just a habit I'm in, and keeps everything running smoothly. Needles aren't really all that expensive, and well worth having a good sharp one in place. It helps stop skipped stitches as well, so in the long run that saves time, which is worth more to me that saving a few pennies on needles. (I save old empty pill bottles to put the used ones in so I can dispose of them safely.)
#27
I have always read in different quilting books to change it every time you start a new project. It is also a good time then to clean the bobbin area, oil machine & get everything ready you are working on. I don't follow that to a tee but it is sort of my timeline
#28
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Broadway, Shenandoah Valley, VA
Posts: 478
I heard similar advice: every 8-12 hours, and listen for the popping/snapping sound as the needle hits the fabric. It's so easy to forget to change the needle though. I should put a little post it note on the machine.
#29
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Tri-Cities, Washington
Posts: 757
Hmmmn, good thread! I always learn so much here! These are things I really needed to know...Organ needles (which I am using) listen for popping sound, good to know and size 14 for FMQ, that might be why I just broke a thread, I think I have a previously used size 12 in there now. Gonna go change it and finish the last section of the outer border. Yay, I'm this close to binding. Thanks girls!
#30
Power Poster
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Lowell, MA
Posts: 14,083
I am guilty of not changing my needles often enough, although when the stitches go wonky or don't look nice any more, I'll change the needle. I was told by the man who sold me my Janome that I should change the needle after every project, and/or after 8 hours of sewing. First, I can only do small pieces of time sewing because of shoulder issues, so I'd lose track of the hours, but when the machine goes wonky, I will change the needle and then I'll wonder why I didn't do it sooner.
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