When noodle is used as a verb, the Merriam-Webster definition is: to think about something in a way that is not very serious.
BUT since attending the 2018 International Quilt Festival in Chicago, we’ve been thinking very seriously about the needles we’ve been using for piecing and quilting. We’ve both been using a universal needle (80/12) to machine quilt because…well…that’s the needle in our machine. Gasp! Say it ain’t so!
In the machine quilting class taught by Cindy Walter, Cindy said we can piece with a universal needle but we should use a stronger, sharper needle for machine quilting because we are sewing through several layers. Cindy suggested using a denim needle, a top stitch needle (90/14) or a machine quilting needle to machine quilt. Sandy and I now plan to use the 90/14 needle for machine quilting.
What needle do you use for machine quilting?
Speaking of machine quilting, I’d like to share a quilt with you from the Quilt Festival. It was beautiful AND inspirational. This photo is not the entire quilt, just a close up of one section. Sheila, thank you for sharing this amazing work of art with us!
At the Waterhole by Sheila Finzer
More exciting news! It’s week two of the 2018 New Quilters Blog Hop & Giveaway. Please visit Beth at Cooking Up Quilts to register for any one of the 14 giveaways.
I’d also like to introduce you to the featured bloggers for week two. Be sure to stop by each blog to see inspiration from fellow quilters, you won’t be disappointed!
Velda http://freckledfoxquiltery.wordpress.com
Carrie http://carriebeecreates.blogspot.com
Sharon http://mspdesignsusa.com
Ann C. http://laughinggasquilts.wordpress.com
Nicole http://handwroughtquilts.wordpress.com
Becca http://prettypiney.com
Sherry http://poweredbyquilting.com
Stephanie http://lowcountryquiltsandembroidery.com
Great picture Cindy! It conveys the complexity of that quilt beautifully.
What a show stopper!
Wow, that quilt is stunning! How large was it?
I am not sure the exact dimensions but it was big! It took up a good amount of wall space. The pictures cannot do justice to how beautiful it was!
I have been using topstitch needles bought through Superior Threads. These are repackaged needles (all legit) from Organ company in Japan. A representative of Babylock overlocking machines – ie no financial motive – told me these are the best in the world. Since I’ve been using them, all sizes from microsharp 60 to very large 100 – depends on the thread, I have had fewer skipped stitches and they last a very very long time. I use the topstitch needles for piecing, appliqué, quilting, everything.
The elephant quilt is superb.
Thanks for the info on needles, Meg! Will look into these needles. Elephant quilt was indeed superb, I’ve never seen anything quite like it!
Good Morning,
Thanks for sharing that quilting needle tip! I never know which needle to use – I just use whatever is in my machine or whatever I grab when it’s time to change it. No rhyme or reason, that’s for sure! I will try quilting with a sharper needle – I don’t even know what the numbers mean either! Holy moly, that elephant quilt is just gorgeous! I can only imagine it was better in person, but this certainly captures all the beauty of these magnificent mammals. Thank you for sharing the photo with us!
~smile~ Roseanne
The elephant was really beautiful in person, photos do not do it justice at all! A sharper needle is in my machine, as we “speak”!!!
I used a universal needle until I purchased my new machine and couldn’t get my quilting right and my repair man told me it wasn’t the machine, nor me(I LIKE THIS MAN) it was the needle. So now I use a 110/18 or top stitch needle for my quilting.
Isn’t it amazing how something as small as a needle can have such a big impact on our quilting? I vow to be much more conscious about my needles from now on!
Me too
Shelia Finzer is an Central Oregon Artist and is a member of the SAQA group I belong (we have major talent in the art quilting group I belong to). She was also featured in the first issue of Quiltfolk Magazine which was on Oregon quilting.
Thanks for sharing what you learned about quilting needles with us!
I am in awe of what you and the SAQA group create in Central Oregon! It has inspired me on so many levels. Thank you!
I am in awe of them too and wonder why they let me in, but I just play along hoping they won’t change their minds 🙂
Haha, not true!
Hi ladies,
Thank you for the very kind comments on my elephant quilt “At the Waterhole”. It is 99” wide and 72 3/4” in height. ( I know who puts 3/4”…. but I’m picky about squaring). I also use top stitching needles for machine quilting. My favorite top stitch needles are Superior’s titanium. They last a long time.
My friend Tierney in my local Saqa group forwarded your blog to me. My website is http://www.SheilaFinzer.com
Thanks again to all of you and to Tierney!!
Sheila Finzer
Sheila, thanks for getting in touch with us! Honestly, your quilt is so incredible and I must have studied it for 30 minutes or more. I have much to learn about quilting techniques and your elephant quilt has served as inspiration to my “artistic self”. Thanks for sharing your website, would it be ok if I referenced it in another blog post?
Another good tip about needles is to change them regularly. They aren’t expensive! And it’s an easy way to make your quilting/sewing easier and give your machine a break. Dull needles take more motor umph to work. Thanks for the information.
Great tip about changing the needle! I will reference this in another post.
Here is an old post of mine about it. I think I’ve written more but … I’d have to dig. Take a look. https://catbirdquilts.wordpress.com/2013/11/29/listen/
Thanks, this is a great post!
The elephant quilt is amazing! Thanks for the needle tips — I use Schmetz for all my sewing needs – I buy them in bulk when possible – I do find if I change my needle on a regular basis my machines perform better longer — especially with the machine embroidery. I keep a note pad by each embroidery machine to log stitch count and fabric type to help me remember when to change the needle.
That is such a good tip about changing needles on a regular basis. I do it after each large project but I do other sewing in between so keeping a log will help me stay on task. I think I will try a few of those Superior titanium needles to see how they compare to Schmetz.