Quilt in a Day Forums

Ok....I have a Bernina..Do I need Bernina Needles or can I use any???
There are Universal ones...I don't know..Hummmm I would like to buy some up for winter...I know i sound like a squirrel..LOL, but when I have the extra money i would like to buy them up.

I have a Bernina too and I use the Schmetz Universal needles. They were suggested when I bought my machine 10 years ago. I've never used any others. I wish I could find them on sale...I'd stock up too.

I am a new Bernina owner also. I have always used the Schmetz universal on my Janome and use the Schmetz quilting needles on my Bernina. The instructor for the class suggested using the Schmetz quilting needles and I have been very pleased with them. Carol

I have been sewing for some 30some years. I have had different brand machines. Needles in years past have never been of any particular persuasion....the main importance always was the right size for the right job. The right size for the selection of fabric being sewn. When did machines get so particular that we need a particular brand of needle for a particular brand of sewing machine....and I might also add when did bobbins become such a specialized item also? LOL If I sound upset, I am not....just amazed at the items we have that are so specialized now days....is someone making alot of money on this or is it really an important decision what brand needle we buy for what machine??? I know good quality, but sewing a quilt with blue gean fabric wouldn't take a highly specialized needle in my machine. Regular all cotton fabric shouldn't be so fussy either? lol )

Thank''''s for the comments.And I know what you mean about the Machines..and the needles for the job.I should of asked the dealer at the QS....but i was in a hurry and didnt..I had some schmetz quilting needles and just needed to know..And the qs is in Tenn..I live in WV so....Thanks again

If you want to save yourself some money buy the Schmetz "sharp" needles for piecing...{usually 80's].....you will get a perfect straight seam due to the fact the sharps pierce the fabric and the universal's go around the fibers... The quilting needles are lots more expensive than the sharps. I learned this from a df that was a Bernina dealer and teacher.

Calicopuzzle, I know what you mean. I have lots of sewing machines but the three newest ones, Pfaff, Baby Lock and Brother all have different sizes of bobbins. I remember when a bobbin was a bobbin and needles came in a package without numbers and types of fabric suggested. I love my new machines but my old (featherweight and treadle)machines can't be beat when it comes to longevity, those oldies will be around long after I am gone.

One other thing, each of my new machines threads differently. I am trying to teach my daughter how to thread a machine but it is difficult when each one is different and I have a hard time when I switch machines. LOL

I hope I didn't sound crabby...I am dealing with a sore shoulder after taking a fall...no excuse, but hard not to move when I want to...

You might want to draw a map on a post it note and put it somewhere on your machine to help with teaching your daughter how each one is different.....come to think of it, take a permanent marker and dray the arrows right on the machine!! lol!!

One of my first machine quilting books by Robbie and Tony Fanning who were experts then and somewhat now, suggested using ball point needles if your machine tended to skip stitches while quilting...I had some from sewing knits so I tried them....have been using them ever since...they are great for quilting.

One thing I learned, if your machine starts making a tunk a tunk sound with every stitch, you have a dull needle. Some needles are dull right out of the package. I use Schmetz Microtex Sharp Needle for piecing and the Schmetz Stepp-Nadel Quilting Needle for machine quilting. I stocked up at various sales when I find them.

Changing your needle often is important. Not during just one project, but from project to project...you don't want that tunk a tunk sound and you don't want snags in your fabric from a burr on your needle.....and make sure you clean out the lint from the bobbin case area and the feeddogs so your needle can have a smooth ride.