Sharonsews Posted July 21, 2004 Report Share Posted July 21, 2004 I have a question about needles. The machine came with 4.0 needle size. Searching around on the internet and reading posts, it seems a lot of people use 3.5. Just wondering what your opinions are. I just finished a smaller size wall quilt. When I hold it up to the light, I can see the needle holes. The fabric was mostly light yellow on front and muslim on the back, used 80/20 hobbs batting. Is this normal? It might be because my fabrics are so light. Or is it because I used 4.0.? Thanks for any answers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
9patch Posted July 22, 2004 Report Share Posted July 22, 2004 Hi, I'm no expert, but I wonder if those holes you see disappear after washing. That seemed to happen with my quilts that I have washed. Maybe they even relax with time. Right now I am working on a quilt that has both top and backing in batik fabric. It must be tough cloth because I needed to use a 5.0 needle to penetrate it. So, I guess this is just like a domestic machine....the needle size will vary with the type of cloth. Linda/9patch Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sdrogers Posted July 22, 2004 Report Share Posted July 22, 2004 Hi Sharon The needle holes will close up with washing and also when the quilt relaxes off the frame. I use smaller needles though. I get them at Aptex, you know the place well! I get 16's and 14's. Not sure how that translates in MR talk though. HTH! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeri Posted July 23, 2004 Report Share Posted July 23, 2004 Linda, try a touch of silicone on your #4 needle when doing batiks. I have done many with no problems, in fact I only have #4 needles. jeri Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
9patch Posted July 23, 2004 Report Share Posted July 23, 2004 Okay, bear with me, What kind of silicon? Where do you get it? How often do you need to reapply? I did give the machine a break and replaced the needle midway in this project. I am not quite finished so I may be looking for silicon today. The lady at the quilt shop where I bought the fabric mentioned that she had heard that batik is hard to quilt. She was thinking hand-quilting, and I was thinking longarm. I didn't think I had to worry. Got that wrong! Thanks a heap. Linda/9patch Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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