Size of needle for machine piecing

[Lotti D.]

What size needle do most of you use in your machine when you machine piece? I have always used 80/12.....but Sally Collins says to use a 60. Any thoughts?

[Margo C.]

The size of the needle you use is determined by the weight of the thread you are sewing with. The hole and the grove at the front of the needle need to be large enough to comfortably handle the thread, but not so large as to make unnecessarily large holes in the fabric that the finer thread won't fill.

Sally Collins makes small and miniature quilts and would use a very fine thread. I'm not sure what brand/weight thread she uses, but it would stand to reason that when making miniature quilts you need the absolute least amount of bulk in every seam allowance. Thus...she will use a very fine thread (probably a 60 weight or a silk 100 weight) and a very fine (size 60 or 70) needle.

I use a size 60 or 70 needle when using MonoPoly and size 80 when using MasterPiece.

Check the Superior web site for information about what size needle to use with each kind of Superior thread: http://www.superiorthreads.com/shop/...ines/products/

Hope that helps.

[Jill B.]

Same here, I just look at the Superior Chart and do what they tell me that way I dont have to think at all...... he he

[Betty D.]

It's great that on the Superior threads the end cap notes what size needle to use! Betty D

[Lynn K.]

Only time i've used a 60 is machine applique with MonoPoly or silk. Other than that, 70 or 80, and yes, ALL things about Superior are GREAT! And no, they don't pay me to say that. ha

[Lynn K.]

I always piece with Presencia 60wt 3 ply cotton these days, and I use a Schmetz 75/11 quilting needle.