A needle pulling thread...

It's easy to forget that our piecing and quilting is all about 'a needle pulling thread!'

This GIF is brilliant for showing how a sewing machine really works. Mesmerizing! It shows so clearly just what good tension looks like and how the top and bottom threads come together to make a line of stitching. I'd like to focus on the needle. Look how the thread passes back and forth through the eye of the needle 4 times for every stitch! That's why the size of the needle's eye is so important.

The eye of the Topstitch needle is nearly twice as long as any other needle. This elongated eye allows the thread to pass easily as it moves back and forth through the eye. If the needle's eye is too small it will cause friction and shred the thread!

If you are free-motion quilting use a 100/16 Topstitch needle. If you are machine quilting on a frame use a 100/16 Topstitch needle. If you are using speciality thread like metallic use a 100/16 Topstitch needle. If you are having trouble with thread shredding change to a 100/16 Topstitch needle.

The extra large eye really helps, enabling the thread to move easily through the needle's eye as the fabric moves every-which-way for free-motion quilting. The wider and deeper groove protects the beautiful speciality threads that I love to use for machine quilting. The sharp point easily pierces through the layers of the quilt sandwich, even through bulky seams. It's easier to thread too!

Now the new titanium coating extends the working life of the needle. The ultra thin layer of titanium nitride will keep the needle sharp for 40 to 60 hours. That's a lot of quilting! It's neat that now home quilters get to enjoy the same technology that the professionals have been using for years. Thank you Superior Threads.

100/16 and 90/14 Superior Threads Titanium Topstitch needles are available here in the UK from our online Machine Quilter Shop.