What needles should I use with my Handi Quilter longarm machine?

New quilters often ask, "What needle should I use with my machine?"

Handi Quilter longarm machines are designed to be used with one needle system: 134. Within that system are lots of choices. Handi Quilter sells three options (each in different sizes): Standard (which have a sharp (R) point, High-Speed (which feature a crank shaft, which is stronger than the standard cut-out scarf), and Ball-Point.

If you quilt very fast, regardless of the machine you own, High-Speed Needles are always a good choice. Ball-Point needles work well with knits and some people prefer them for quilting tightly-woven fabrics like batiks.

But, if you had to choose only one, the Standard Needles are the ones you'll probably use the most.

So, take a look. Give them all a try. And match up the size of the needle to the thread you're using. The larger the thread, the larger the needle.