Quilting Machine Needles
A guide to choosing the right needles for your quilting machine
Choosing the right needle for your quilting machine can make all the difference in the quality and ease of your quilting. Below, we’ve simplified the details to help you confidently select the correct Groz Beckert needle for your machine and thread. We have made it as simple as possible to understand what all the numbers and letters stand for on the packaging.
Let's get started on the packaging shown below. The first number you will want to verify is the System number on the left. Most commonly, you will see System 134 and 135 available. We explain the differences below.
System 134 Needles
Groz Beckert needles are available in many system categories, including System 134, which is commonly used in longarm quilting machines.
Important Tip: If the package says GEBEDUR, it means the needles are titanium-coated.
A thin layer of titanium nitride helps keep the point of the needle sharper up to six times longer than standard nickel-plated needles. Titanium-coated needles also have a gold color as an obvious visual cue. These needles are durable and excellent for heavy use.
Groz Beckert needles are available in many system categories, including System 134, which is commonly used in longarm quilting machines.
Important Tip: If the package says GEBEDUR, it means the needles are titanium-coated.
A thin layer of titanium nitride helps keep the point of the needle sharper up to six times longer than standard nickel-plated needles. Titanium-coated needles also have a gold color as an obvious visual cue. These needles are durable and excellent for heavy use.
What Is System 135 Used For?
System 135 needles are not used in longarm quilting machines. Instead, they are designed for use in industrial sewing machines, such as those used in garment production or heavy-duty stitching applications. They are built to handle thick materials and high-speed operations but are not compatible with quilting machines. They are slightly longer than System 134 needles, and can cause problems with timing in a longarm machine.
System 135 needles are not used in longarm quilting machines. Instead, they are designed for use in industrial sewing machines, such as those used in garment production or heavy-duty stitching applications. They are built to handle thick materials and high-speed operations but are not compatible with quilting machines. They are slightly longer than System 134 needles, and can cause problems with timing in a longarm machine.
The next option to consider is the needle size (located in the upper right corner). American and European sizes are both listed, with a slash between them -- and the European designation is first. For example, a size 90/14 is a common size for a sewing machine.
Needle System, Point, and Size
The numbers and characters on a needle package help guide you in selecting the right needle based on your quilting or sewing application. Key factors include:
The numbers and characters on a needle package help guide you in selecting the right needle based on your quilting or sewing application. Key factors include:
- Needle System: Indicates machine compatibility (e.g., System 134).
- Needle Point: The shape of the needle tip affects how it interacts with fabric. For longarm quilting, the most common points are:
- FFG Point (Light Ball Point): Ideal for most quilting fabrics, reducing the risk of skipped stitches.
- R Point (Sharp Point): Perfect for piercing tightly woven or dense fabrics.
- In addition, there are 3 types of R point needles: R, RS, and RG. The first is sometimes seen as R or RR, indicating Regular Round. RS is Round Sharp, and RG is slightly more rounded of a tip.
- Needle Size: Determines compatibility with thread thickness and fabric weight. Use the guide below to match your needle size to thread:
- Size 16 Needles: Best for finer threads, such as 40wt or 50wt.
- Size 18 Needles: Ideal for heavier threads, like 30wt or thicker
Need a quick way to decide before ordering your needles?
Which Needle for Which Machine?
Here’s a quick reference to help you choose the right needle for your machine. One final thought -- don't forget to think of your thread when choosing a needle. Match the smaller needle to the smaller thread thickness.
Which Needle for Which Machine?
Here’s a quick reference to help you choose the right needle for your machine. One final thought -- don't forget to think of your thread when choosing a needle. Match the smaller needle to the smaller thread thickness.
Gammill
Stainless Steel Needles (System 134)
Innova
Titanium Needles (System 134 GEBEDUR)
Handi Quilter
Any System 134 Needle
All Groz-Beckert needles can be found here