I do a lot of hand-sewing and embroidery so the needles I have around the house are embroidery needles. I like a size 8 or 10 embroidery needle.

I've been playing around with quilting lately. So when I placed my most recent joann.com order I ordered some quilting needles. I ordered a whole pack of size 10 because I assumed I'd like the same size for quilting that I like for embroidery. Well, those things are insanely tiny. I have a hard time even seeing them, much less holding them.

I also bought a pack with mixed sizes. These I can at least see. But they're so short. They seem like they'd be hard to handle. I can't imagine getting more than one running stitch on the needle before having to pull the thread through.

So, I'm curious. Experienced hand-quilters: what needles do you use? Are these tiny needles really better for quilting?

I use betweens mostly, and yes they are super super tiny. The goal is about 10-12 stitches per inch although I average more like 8, so you need a short needle to get the control necessary.

I guess I need to get over my fear of using those tiny needles then because I'm nowhere near 10-12 stitches per inch. More like 3 per inch. Looks like I've got quite a bit of room for improvement!

hastings beat me to it but yes, 10-12 stitches per inch and the boxes labels "handsewing" or "handquilting" needles are the best ones i have found.

i am still at about 8-9 spi. i look a the quilts my mema and my mama mary made and they are about 15 spi. i wonder at that lol

hastings beat me to it but yes, 10-12 stitches per inch and the boxes labels "handsewing" or "handquilting" needles are the best ones i have found.

i am still at about 8-9 spi. i look a the quilts my mema and my mama mary made and they are about 15 spi. i wonder at that lol

yeah, I tend to watch my mother and great-grandmother with my mouth hanging open. I'm slogging and paying great attention to manage 8 or 9 spi and they just seem to touch the quilt and it magically sprouts teeny tiny stitches. My youngest sister also is fabulous at it-- as is my brother lol.

Wow, I had to go measure. I'm going 7-8 s/" with the smallest length out of a pack of "long sharps" I got. The eye on the finer needles wasn't big enough for the linen thread I'm using. These seem to be right in the middle size wise. Longer but not thicker with a good sized eye for middle weight thread.

Chole

I guess I need to get over my fear of using those tiny needles then because I'm nowhere near 10-12 stitches per inch. More like 3 per inch. Looks like I've got quite a bit of room for improvement!

When learning to hand quilt, try first to make the stitches even. If it is 3 stitches per inch, make them 3 even stitches per inch. You didn't learn to run before you walked, you'll get to the small stitches little by little. :waving: