Which sewing machine needles do you use?

Which sewing machine needles do you use?  I use Superior Titanium Topstitch needles and only those.  I use them because they stay sharper longer.  Since I foundation paper piece a lot this is really important to me as normally the paper blunts needles very quickly.  When using other needles, I used to find slipped stitches and snagged fabric were regular issues as well as the needle pushing the fabric down into the machine.  Since using these needles, I don't have these problems.  If you want to find out more about them, this infographic posted on the Superior site explains how these needles differ from regular sewing machine needles and how much longer they stay sharper because of the titanium tips.  You can click through to read it properly.


http://www.superiorthreads.com/media/docs/topstitch-infographic.jpg

I discovered them about two years ago when I was browsing the Aurifil website to see which needles they recommended and these were the ones which were mentioned.  I tried them out and instantly noticed that I was going from changing my needles quite often to very rarely if at all.  Before using these, I would bin needles when I swapped from one size for piecing to another for quilting, knowing that the needle would not be worth keeping after one big project.  I no longer do that - I keep a note of which needle is in my machine by leaving a post-it on the front of the machine as I change them and swap them back into the correct slot in the needle pack when I swap them over.


The needles come in a variety of pack sizes and this video will help you choose which size you need although I just go for the multi pack so I always have a variety of needles to hand.  In simple terms, I use the 70 and 80 for Liberty lawns and Oakshotts, the 90 for quilting cottons and the 100 for actual quilting.



If you haven't tried out these needles, I have a chance to win five packs today - that's about $50 worth of needles.  You can win one of each of the following packs: 70/10, 80/12, 90/14, 100/16, and an assortment pack which contains all of those sizes.  If you look after the needles, putting them back into the correct pack or slot as you swap them over, I bet you will be surprised at how long this prize will last you.  Good luck - just leave a comment for a chance to win and I will pick a winner a week from now! 

Comments

  1. Ah!.... How I would love to get my hands on these! I keep reading about them, but they remain elusive. Thankyou for such a generous giveaway and the chance to see for ourselves!

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  2. I already use these and would love to score some free ones!

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  3. I'd love to give these a try! Thank you for a chance to win!

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  4. I know I don't change my needles as often as I should, so I'll be seeking these out even if I don't win them. Thanks for the info and the chance to win :)

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  5. I have tried these in the past and they Are good - using some others recently was so frustrating as they caused skipped stitches and breaking threads so th is would be a great chance to get my hands on some.

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  6. I really need to try those needles and the shot fabric !!

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  7. Interesting, I get through a lot of needles and still have issues with skipped stitches etc. Would love to try these

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  8. I'm surprised I've never heard of these needles. I do alot of machine applique with monofiliment thread and I think these would be grreat. Thanks for a chance to win!

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  9. Every so often my machine goes wacky and it is always related to the needle. I'd love to try these and see if it helps. Thanks!

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  10. I'd love to try these. Thanks for the giveaway.

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  11. Well my hand Singer machine from about 100 years ago has always had the same needle in so don't pick me. But it does show how little sewing I really do.

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  12. This would be great. Thanks!

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  13. Interesting... Might have to try these...

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  14. I have never even heard of these needles. I would be interested to give them a try. I'll have to look a my LQS and see if they have them. Wonder how well they would work for garment construction.

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  15. I'd love to give them a try!

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  16. I've heard good things about these needles, but haven't yet tried them.

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  17. Thank you for the chance to win! I go through a lot of needles and would love to give these a try. Where can they be purchased - do you have a good source? Thanks!

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  18. I've heard that they are great but have not tried them... Would love to!!! Thanks for the chance!

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  19. Thanks for the generous giveaway!

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  20. I went to a presentation of threads done by Superior Threads last year, which was absolutely terrific. They mentioned the needles then, but in passing as they were talking thread not needles. I meant to buy some after the talk, but got distracted and forgot. Would love some to trial. Thanks for the opportunity!

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  21. It's interesting to see how much impact needles can have and ones that stay sharp longer would

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  22. Ooooh yes please! After a nightmare week of breaking 5+ needles and much swearing, this giveaway would be VERY welcome, they sound fab x

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  23. I have tried these but it was in a different machine - and they kept breaking on me. I would love to try them in my current machine.

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  24. They sound good to me, I would love to give them a try.

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  25. I so agree! I discovered these at the Superior Threads booth at a quilt show and regret not buying more! I would love to win these!

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  26. Thank you for letting us know about these needles, they sound wonderful.

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  27. Thanks for the chance to enter, I would love to try these!

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  28. I use these needles and I LOVE them. Not only do they stay sharp longer but the larger eye really cuts down on thread breakage especially when I FMQ. I also really like the Superior website. There is a lot of good thread/needle info on there. Thanks for the great giveaway.

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  29. this is really useful, as I am forever frustrated at how regularly I need to change my needles. Many thanks for the chance.

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  30. Ooh, I love Superior needles. Thanks for the change to win!

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  31. These sound really good and anything that stays sharper longer is a winner!

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  32. If I stopper trying to sew over pins my needles would last longer! Great giveaway and thanks for the chance, Lynne.

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  33. Hmm. I'd be very interested in trying them out! I have the worst time with skipped stitches when I FMQ.

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  34. I just got a package of these, and so far am pleased. Thank you for the chance to win.

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  35. I would love to try these out! Thanks for the chance!

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  36. Thanks for the giveaway! I have to admit I am completely clueless about needles, have no idea which ones I should be using for which type of sewing, consequently I rarely remember to change them! It would be great to give these a try though. R x

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  37. I love Superior threads, but didn't know they did needles too! I would love to win some. Thank you for the chance.

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  38. Thanks Lynn!
    I haven't heard of these needles and I have to admit to using whatever my LQS carries!!

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  39. I would love to try these!
    turner(underscore)post(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  40. I didn't even know these existed! I tend to buy loads of packets of machine needles at a time as I go through so many of them.

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  41. A friend recently recommended these needles to me and I'd love to try them. Thanks for the opportunity to win.

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  42. Love Superior!! Thanks for offering this give~away. :)

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  43. I would love to give these a try! Thanks for the giveaway!!

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  44. Thanks so much for the giveaway! I would love the chance to try these out!

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  45. Thank you for another fantastic giveaway! I have bought these needles before but don't seem to be able to get them here in Switzerland. It would be great to win some to try out the different sizes.

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  46. This is a wonderful giveaway. Thanks for letting me know about them. Another idea for saving your needles safely is to buy one of those old fashioned red tomato style pin cushion. It's divided into sections by thread. I label each section with a different size/type of machine needle (sharpee) and save them there. I have trouble getting them to stay in those packages, and it's easy for lazy folks.

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  47. I would love to try these! Thanks for the chance to win!

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  48. I'm fairly new to quilting, so this post is really helpful! Thanks for the chance ~ fingers crossed!

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  49. I have been doing lots of paper piecing lately and my needles are taking a hammering! It would be lovely to win and try some of these! Thanks for the info on them.

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  50. I worked for Superior Threads when these Titanium needles first came out, and I agree, they are the BEST! Bob and Heather really did their research on this product. They sew and sew and sew (unless you hit a pin, and then they just bend, not break:)

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  51. These needles sound wonderful! I would love to try them, thanks for the chance!

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  52. I've heard of these needles but have never tried them. Thanks for the chance to win some!

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  53. Skipped stitches and broken threads - ugh! I need to try these needles!

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  54. I actually bought a pack of these recently, but haven't tried them yet! Now really looking forward to it!

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  55. I have used these needles, recommended by a quilting friend, and love them too. Hope I am lucky to win them.

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  56. It looks as though I've been using the wrong size needle for piecing and perhaps I should go up a size. I'd love to try these needles.

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  57. I'd love to give these needles a try!

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  58. These are new to me. I would be interested in trying them out.

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  59. I am always wondering about needles and I just end up taking a stab at which to use. I would love to try these! Thanks for the chance.

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  60. Like everyone else, I am always confused about needle size. I would love to try these out!

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  61. I'll have to try these out even if I don't win them! I hate having to change needles often.

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  62. Thanks for reminding me to change my needle today. Haven't tried Superior needles and would love the chance! Thanks!!

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  63. Thanks for a needle education and for a great giveaway.

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  64. Thanks for the recommendation---would live to try them out!

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  65. I admit, I have never though much about my needles but I am going to now. Thanks for the post!

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  66. HELLO, I'd love to try these! Sounds so "Superior" to the others!

    msstitcher1214@gmail.com

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  67. thanks for the review i hae seen these but was not sure how good they were.

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  68. I recently learned that thread made a big difference when quilting now I learn that needles to too. It would be nice not to have to change them so often and I love your sticky note idea to remember what needle is in the machine. Thanks so much for this info.

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  69. Thank you for sharing this very useful information and for hosting a giveaway! I've read about these and have been looking for them for over a year at quilt shops and quilt shows, but have yet to find them. I would love to win some and try them out as I do a lot of stitching!!

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  70. I have never tried these needles...but this is a wonderfully generous giveaway! Thank you for the chance to win! I would love to try them!

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  71. Thank you! I would LOVE to win these!!
    ksmith8@emich.edu

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  72. Would love too try these needles and see hoe they hold up. Thanks for the giveaway!

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  73. I would love to try out these needles. Thanks for the chance.

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  74. Thank you for talking about needles. Love to try them!

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  75. Would love to try these just started doing more paper piecing te more help the better!

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  76. Thank you for the chance to try these needles

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  77. I've just got a new sewing machine and feel like I'm standing in the doorway to a wonderful world, lol! And so much to learn! Needles! Thread! Feet!

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  78. I usually get my sewing machine needles at Wal-Mart. - the only store with sewing notions here. I didn't know I had better options!! Thanks, Kathy
    kdavis1@centurytel.net

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  79. I would love to give these a try, thanks for the chance to win

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  80. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  81. what a great tutorial on needles. And using the correct size needles and changing needles are things which are often overlooked, until the needle breaks.

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  82. I have never tried this brand of needles to date, however, sounds like you fully endorse them and would love to win them! Thanks! awolk at rogers dot com

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  83. Wonderful giveaway! I haven't heard of these needles but would love to try them!

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  84. I've not tried that brand. I always have a hard time determining if I have the right size or not. Thanks for the info!

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  85. I have never tried these but I also do a lot of paper piecing and I think this would be an AWESOME gift!! Pick me Random thingie!!

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  86. I would love to have a chance to try these. Thank you for the opportunity.

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  87. OH I would love a chance to try them too. I have heard a lot of good things about them too. Thanks for the opportunity U are a doll!

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  88. I started using these needles after attending a Superior Threads seminar and I would not use any other type of needle. So many of my friends say they change out needles with each project, but I have had needles that last me for months, and I sew almost daily. Such a great giveaway - would love to win.

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  89. Well, they sound good! I'd love to give them a try, anything theta helps keeps things running smoothly sounds good to me! Thanks!

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  90. How wonderful! And generous, thank uou

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  91. I would love to win them! Thank you!

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  92. I'd love to win these, especially as I can only buy cheap needles locally (which is why I shop online!)

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  93. Cool! Thank you for this opportunity!

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  94. Hi, I enjoy reading your blog!
    Thanks for the giveaway,
    Jacqueline in Pitt Meadows

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  95. Oh my goodness! What a wonderful prize. I would love to try these needles out. Thank you for the opportunity.

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  96. I'd love to give these a try. thriftstorecrafter@yahoo.com

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  97. Love them, :). Need more!

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  98. They sound really good, fab prize

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  99. i would love to win these and try them out. thanks for the chance to win. :)

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  100. I use Schmetz Microtex for piecing , or Jeans for embroidery or top-stitching or quilting for ..... quilting! Happy to try other brands too though.

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  101. Very interested in trying these needles. Thank you for the chance to win!

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  102. I'd love to give them a try! Thank you for a chance to win!

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  103. I only have experience with Schmetz needles. I started with "Universal" for every part of the quilt making process. Now I use the " Topstitch" needles for the quilting. I am curious to see how these needles compare! Hearing your experience, these may be better!
    Esther
    esthersipatchandquilt at yahoo com
    ipatchandquilt dot wordpress dot com

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  104. What a great article - mmmmm would love to win some and give them a try out.

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  105. I don't use different needles for different parts of the process...perhaps I should be...

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  106. I've been doing a lot of paper piecing lately, so I would love to try these needles.

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  107. Since all the local shops carry the same brand of machine needles (lots of variety for hand sewing needles), it never occurred to me to look for something different. I'd love to give these ones a try. Thanks for the chance to win some.

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  108. Every tip I read says to change the needle after every project. It's great that you don't need to with these. Sharp needles make all the difference. Thanks for giving us a chance to try them!
    emyerly(at)wideopenwest(dot)com

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  109. I had heard of these but have not had an opportunity to try them. Thanks for giving me a chance to do that!

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  110. I would love to give these a shot! Hopefully they would improve my FMQ (I can dream right?!) Thanks for the chance!

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  111. Hmm, I use Organ Needles, but I'm game to give anything a try, thanks for the chance to win :o)

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  112. What a great prize! Thanks for the chance to win!

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  113. Would love to win these, I have tried them and was very impressed!

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  114. Would love to win these needles. Sometimes it's difficult to remember to change needles and these would take the memory out of the equation.

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  115. I would love to give them a try - thanks for the chance to win

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  116. I'd love the chance to win these. Thanks so much for a unique giveaway!

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  117. Thanks Lynn for such an informative post. I will definitely be trying these needles.

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  118. I need to learn more about needles. Thanks for a chance to own some of these needles and try them!
    hulseybg at gmail dot com

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  119. I love these needles! I don't need any at the moment - am I allowed to use my entry as a second one for a lovely quilty friend?!! I know she's interested as she's already commented...

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  120. Would love to try them, thanks for the chance to win.

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  121. I've been interested in trying these. Thanks!

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  122. These needles sound great and perfect for me as I am a lazy needle changer! Thanks for the giveaway.

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  123. I would love to try the needles. Thanks for the chance to win some.

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  124. needles look really precise, I will definately purchase some to try,,,or hopefully win a packet!!

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  125. Thanks for the chance to win some of these wonderful needles. It would make my day!

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  126. I'd love to give these needles a try. Thank you.

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  127. Always going through needles! what a great prize to offer!

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  128. How you described all the problems you previously had with needles is part of what I keep experiencing. Thanks for this tip. I use Organ but keep running into dull needle issues. Great Giveaway.

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  129. I can't stand skipped stitches. I'm totally game for trying something new!

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  130. Could do with these as I managed to snap two needles this evening #badsewing

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  131. I use these already but can't find my 'spares', so would love to score some freebies!

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  132. Yes please and thank you! xo

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  133. Thanks so much for the info, I feel like I'm going through needles like a crazy person, I will definitely be making a change! (It would be awesome to win a pack to get me started!)

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  134. Thanks, these sound like great needles.

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  135. I dislike changing needles and don't do it often enough so I would enjoy needles that last longer. Thanks!

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  136. I've been thinking about trying Superior's needles next time I order thread. I hope I win this great give-away

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  137. I would love to give the Superior Needles a try!! thank you!

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  138. I have never had an opportunity to try this brand. Would love to.

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  139. I'm relatively new to quilting and would love to try these. Thank you for the opportunity!

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  140. I'm relatively new to quilting and would love to try these. Thank you for the opportunity!

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  141. Great giveaway, thanks for the chance to win!

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  142. I am terrible at remembering to change my needle so these would be great to try out & possibly enable my forgetfulness

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  143. I too use and love these needles and despite how long they last could always use some more as I sew a lot. thank you for the chance to win.

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  144. Cool, Id love to give them a try!

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  145. I've never seen these before. Not that I have looked. I always forget to change my needle, but have been trying to be more disciplined about it

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  146. I have never used their needles, but have read their information. It is great. I have wanted to order for a long time. I have had to change my needles a lot lately and I'm really frustrated, so it would be great to win these.

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  147. I've always used Schmetz but I'd love to find some that last longer. Thanks for the generous giveaway!

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  148. How lovely! I would love to try these, I probably don't change my needles out often enough.

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  149. I'm curious to try them, thanks for the giveaway!

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  150. Thanks for the great tip and the chance to win.

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  151. thanks for the recommendation! Will have to look into these :-)

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  152. Thank you so, so much for this info! I am definitely going to check this out.

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  153. I have wanted to try these but haven't as of yet. This would be wonderful if I won.

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  154. I've never tried these. I usually use Schmetz needles, but would love to try these out to see how much longer they last.

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  155. I just tried one of these yesterday and loved it! Would love to get some other sizes. Thanks!

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  156. It is so true that a good needle makes sewing so much easier! I'd love to try these.

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  157. I too have read about these but never tried them. Would love to win a pack.

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  158. Really interesting. I would like a chance to try them.

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  159. I used a Superior topstitch needle after I had bearding problems many years ago. Problem solved!

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  160. I have only relatively recently started changing needles for different projects - what a difference! I would love to try these.

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  161. I'm a bit baffled by needles, really must get my head round what to use for what ! These would help!

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  162. Thank you for the post it note tip and the chance to win these needles.

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  163. I'm totally rubbish about changing my needles. I've looked at these ones before but never tried them. Nice giveaway!

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  164. I tend to break my needles. So these sound great. Out of interest where can you get them in the UK for if I don't win.

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  165. Thanks for the opportunity to try these out!

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  166. I'd love to try these needles. I've read about them but have never been able to track any down. Thanks for the recommendation and the chance to win!

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  167. These needles are new to me - would love to give them a try. Have not seen them locally - perhaps to need to look more carefully.

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  168. Thanks for sharing your needle tips (ha!)

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  169. Love superior's needles. Thanks for the chance to win some!

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  170. Thanks for the needle lesson! I should've known, as with most other things, all needles are not created equal. Will be trying these!

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  171. I had never heard of these. I would love to try them. Thanks for the chance to win.

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  172. These needles look great - thanks for the review!

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  173. Thanks for the chance to win these needles and giving us the needle lesson...

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  174. these look like great needles, thanks for the review and the opportunity!

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  175. I started using these needles after you and Kerry were recommending them on twitter and love them, but I never remember what I've got in so I don't swap about as much as I should, I'll get better at swapping and labelling now. Thanks for the post and the giveaway.

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  176. I've been to Superior Threads in St. George, UT and was I impressed. What a great organization and to walk up and down the aisles of thread and supplies is like having the best dream in the world. Then upstairs to the fabric shop with samples everywhere and seeing the BOM's in person. WOW! I haven't used these needles yet, though. I'm ready to try them! Bring it!

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  177. Wow! This is great. Thanks for the chance to win.

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  178. I love Superior Threads, how exciting to see they have needles. Thanks for the chance to win! VermontPines at aol dot com

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  179. I only heard of these needles recently, I'll have to try them out. In general I would be using thinner needles than you mention; even down to 60 for Oakshott or lawn, and I would use specific quilting needles for machine quilting.

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  180. Wow, thank you for the chance to win and try these needles for myself!
    lin3841 at gmail dot com
    Lin
    linsquilts.blogspot.com

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  181. I'd love to try these. I've only heard good things about them. I only use Schmetz Microtex Sharp needles. I really like them the best.

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  182. What a wonderful giveaway. I have heard of these but have never actually tried them.

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  183. It would be interesting to use them, I use my Singer needles they are easy to find in Greece, but I do switch them out after every large project.

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  184. I use them but would still love to win

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  185. I'm always on the hunt for products that make my life easier. Would love the chance to win these and try them out. Thanks!

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  186. I usually use Schmetz needles, and try to change my needle after a big project. Recently my machine was having troubles, so I went through alot of needles!!!:( Fingers crossed, they seem great!

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  187. Please don't laugh but I never knew that those were signs that the needles needed changed. I have only changed them when switching from heavy or lightweight fabrics or when they broke. So thank you for that helpful information. And I would love to have these! :)

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  188. I use Schmetz needles but after this, I want to try out the Superiors, you sold me. Thanks

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  189. Since I'm a recent winner, I will recuse myself from a prize. However, until now I've used mostly Singer (on my Singer machine) or Schmetz needles. I trust your recommendation, so I'll try the Superior brand with my next purchase. Thanks!

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  190. How cool, I've never tried this brand before but my Juki did just skip some stitches for the first time this weekend. I switched to a new needle and that seemed to help.

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  191. These seem like awesome needles and I would love to try them out!

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  192. I was pondering topstitching needles at joann's yesterday, but walked away empty handed because I knew I wanted some, but didn't know how to figure out which ones. Thank you for the information and the giveaway!

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