Just watched a Martha Pullen show that was about sewing machine needles. He, the guest, said to change the needle about every 6 hours. I realize that you always hear this from "trade" people that are selling the needles.
Do you find this to be true in your experience?
When I sewed the first time years ago, I remember sewing for months maybe a year without changing needles. The only time we changed them was when they broke.
Or are the needles, like so many things, not as well made today?
Opinions, please... Chris

Chris, I have heard the same thing about changing the needle after a certain number of hours of sewing. Also "change after every project". I kinda gave the benefit of the doubt to the persons making the recommendations figuring they were passing along things they had heard that they thought might be useful to others.

I don't pay attention to either of these when I am sewing or quilting, just put in whatever needle seems appropriate for the task at hand then listen to my machine and let it tell me when it has a problem. If there is a problem that seems it could be needle related I make a switch to a new one of the same size/type.

I don't change mine every time either. If it's working, I don't mess with it. If I'm using a special kind of thread or the wrong thread it'll start messing up. That tells me that I have the wrong needle so then I have to change it. I usually use an 11 size needle for sewing most everything except for jeans and then I use a jeans needle.

Janice

I do change me needles often. They are the least expensive part of my hobby, so I change them after 8 hours of sewing or with a new project. I also change them based on what I am sewing, silk, cotton, microfiber, etc. My machine makes me happy, so I like to keep her happy. But I clean her all the time, with each bobbin change and I take her in for service every year. I find I have less, "Oh know what's wrong" moments when I care for my machines.

Funny that this is about needles. My machine has been acting up the last few days. I worked on its tension and cleaned it and changed the thread thinking that would make a differents but it didn't. I was in tears thinking -will this is it. I have to buy a new machine and right now I just can't afford one(I'm unemployed right now)(making stuff for a consignment store) Then I changed the needle. It made a differents. Not all the way back to normal but getting there. Better then it was. So yes-Change your needle once in awhile. Not as often as they say but often.

I keep using my needle until I hear that little telltale 'pop' meaning the needle is dragging thru the fabric. Then it surely needs changing.
I use a quilting needle when quilting, and Universal needles for sewing seams and metafils when using metallic thread, the other changes being the size of the needle.....large for paper-piecing, small for seams and blind hems.

I agree with Bozie and some of the others who say your machine will tell you when the needle isnt right. If I get too involved in too many "rules" I dont want to sew anymore.

EXACTLY what I was trying to say thimble lady. If it ain't broke/messin' up, then it don't need fixin'....I also listen for the "pop" that quiltbea is referring too.

I change mine for sure when they make a different noise and/or I get funny looking stitches usually after I have done lots of quilting or piecing on a larger project. I don't change them every 6 hours! I have used 2 or 3 needles when putting lots of quilting into a queen sized quilt. I have found that the smaller and thinner needles don't last nearly as long as the more heavy duty larger type. When changing needles because I need a different size or type, I put a check mark on the case over the particular needle indicating to me it has been used before.

I ONLY change my needle when something is wrong. Like...when it breaks. Or if the machine starts skipping stitches.

I believe the 6 hrs. applies to the embroidery machines. The speed the needle goes up and down wears the needle quicker, plus the stablizer dulls the needle. At least that's what the dealer says. lol!
On regular sewing I use my needles longer too.
What size needle do you ladies use in piecing and also free motion quilting? I read where you should use sharp on the fm quilting and I've not been using that, I usually use either a universal 90/14 or 80/12.