Not sure which size needle to use for free motion quilting?
Instead of consulting those huge charts…
Just remember the 80/50 rule.
THE 80/50 RULE
50 weight thread pairs with a size 80 needle.
If your thread is heavier (smaller number)–40 wt or 30 wt–try a larger needle–90 or above.
For instance…I often use 40 wt Sulky Rayon and a size 90 needle.
If your thread is finer–60 wt, try a smaller needle: size 70
Just a rule of thumb…a place to start
This is for all sewing…not just free motion quilting.
NOT SURE WHAT TYPE OF NEEDLE FOR FMQ?
Increasingly, I use a Topstitch Needle.
It has sharp point, a large oval eye and a deep groove that protects the thread.
Just a quick tip—and a little “visual aid”…
May your stitches be happy,
Lori
LOL–We reached 5,080 followers today! What a coincidence! 50-80!
PS…All tutorials, images and information are the property of Lori Kennedy at The Inbox Jaunt and are intended for personal use only. Feel free to re-blog, pin, tweet with attribution to The Inbox Jaunt. For all other purposes, please contact me at lckennedy@hotmail.com. Thanks!
20 comments
Rebecca Grace
First, your little reminder quilts are DARLING! 🙂 Second — do you follow the 80/50 rule regardless of the thread ply? I do a 75 Quilting or 70 Microtex needle with Aurifil 50 weight 2-ply thread and it seems to be a good pairing.
Caroline Sullivan
Thank you ever so much for the needle and thread info. Like Terri414cb I will be making a little chart for reference. My reference card is going to be taped to my most used sewing machines. And I am going to make one for my daughter also.
Kirsty
Love it! You’re amazing Lori, thank you.
kellie
I have a question, Lori. I am just basting a quilt, lots of batiks, and it seems I was wondering what needle type and size will leave the smallest hole? A sharp, or universal or ?
Lori Kennedy
Kellie, You will definitely want to use a sharp needle. Batiks are very tightly woven and require a sharp. I would start with a Topstitch needle, but there are other sharps you could try.
kellie
Thanks Lori! Happy Sunday!
treadlemusic
Excellent info…..topstitch needles are awesome!!!!!
Martina
I love love love your blog, there’s so much to learn. Thank you for sharing!!!
Martina
Carol Stearns
Thank you. It is difficult for me to wrap my head around this. When the #’s go down for heavier thread, that doesn’t gibe with me. In my mind, the numbers should go up for heavier thread. I never look at the thread weight but I do know that sometimes I have difficulty. Sewing along. Will start looking at numbers.
Phyllis
Love how you summarized the numbers to help us remember. Always good to have reminders. That free motion panel is beautiful and will definitely add that to my collections.
Bev
Thank you! I think this is just what I need right now because my machine has not wanted to do FMQ lately. I’ve cleaned it, oiled it, changed needle & thread. Everything I could think of but nothing has worked. It does just fine with the walking foot! It this thread/needle combo doesn’t work I will have to take it in to a shop for inspection!
Tavette
On my gracious. To make your point you quickly free motioned not one but TWO mini quilts with an 80 in a needle and a 50 on a spool of thread. You’re unbelievable! I now have a visual of those mini quilts in my head, though, which was your intent. Mission accomplished.
Tavette – S. Florida
terri414cb
Wow, this is great! I’ve already written it on a card and put it on the wall in front of my sewing machine as reference. Thank you.
Lou Hatcher
What a great thing to know. Thanks a bunch.
Barb E
Thanks, this is something I keep having problems with and this will help me greatly.
Karen Miller
This is perfect Lori! Thank you it’s a great way to “remember”.
Christine Sherman
Thanks so much!
Mary M
Thank you! I just checked, and my favorite quilting thread (from Connecting Threads) is 50 weight, and my needles are 80’s! I feel validated! 😉
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