Topstitch Needles for quilting tops
#1
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Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Delmarva Peninsula
Posts: 1,151
Topstitch Needles for quilting tops
I am taking a craftsy "making a large quilt on a small machine" (or something like that ), she recommends using clear thread on the top for sitd and using a topstitch 80-12 needle for doing this. Before I buy both of these, does any one else use these notions? Or can I achieve the same results using my regular thread (essential) and my #14 needles? Thanks, I read that the topstitch needle eye is more slender, I understand that, but is it totally necessary?
#2
I never use invisible thread for quilting. It's just too big of a pain. Plus it doesn't make as nice of a stitch with the larger needles. I always use topstitch needles for quilting. The eye is bigger on topstitch needles. If you go to Superior Thread's website they have a needle chart that tells you all about all the different needles and how to match them to the thread and project you're using.
#4
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Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Alturas, CA
Posts: 9,393
I NEVER use monofilament(clear) thread for anything. I absolutely hate it. What I started using for the actual quilting is the machine embroidery thread, I use Connecting Threads Essentials for the piecing, it's a little linty but you can't beat the price and I just clean the bobbin area for every 2 bobbins used.
#5
I never use invisible thread either -- it is a real pain to work with. I also use only topstitch needles for everything now & I have less thread breakage. I find that a 90/14 topstitch needle is what is in my machine almost all the time, for piecing and for quilting. Maybe I should be using an 80/12 more often, but I just go with whatever thread and needle combination my machines seem to like for the project I'm working on.
Oh, and is a topstitch needle totally necessary? In my opinion, no. I only started using them recently when having thread breakage issues and the longer hole solved this problem. I really haven't noticed any difference in actual stitching on fabric so I can't speak to that. I just like being able to use any thread I want without breakage issues and the topstitch needles have solved that problem for me like no other solution or adjustment to machine, etc.
Oh, and is a topstitch needle totally necessary? In my opinion, no. I only started using them recently when having thread breakage issues and the longer hole solved this problem. I really haven't noticed any difference in actual stitching on fabric so I can't speak to that. I just like being able to use any thread I want without breakage issues and the topstitch needles have solved that problem for me like no other solution or adjustment to machine, etc.
Last edited by RavenLunaStitch; 07-20-2013 at 12:33 PM.
#6
I use Topstitch needles for everything. The longer eye gives your thread more room to interact with the bobbin hook when quilting through the quilt sandwich so stitches are better. I don't like nonviolent thread, either. It has too much curl. I quilt with cotton, polyester and silk threads. I like the effects I get with different thread types.
#7
Unless the quilt is for a baby or for someone in a nursing home, I almost always use Aurifil monofilament thread. I have never had a problem using it. As for needles, I use topstitch sometimes; but I have also used quilting and micro. Those three work fine for me.
#8
Unlike others experience with monofilament thread i have have had nothing but success after switching to Superiors MonoPoly. I had problems with nylon and the thread on skinny pools. When I quilt I use MonoPoly for SID to anchor blocks up/down then across back nd forth. This anchors the blocks and mkes them behave before doing the FMQ with thread of my choice with toostitch needles only. Thats all I buy. If uou go to superiorthreads.com they have amazing info. They will tell you how to use all their products. I might mention that you need to turn down your tension and dont use the thread cutter if you have one. The thread will spring back and needle will become unthreaded.
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