The 5 Types & Sizes of Hand Quilting Needles - Suzy Quilts (2024)

A Hand Quilting Tradition:Betweens aka Quilting Needles

The needle that most people are talking about when they’re talking about traditional hand quilting is nicknamed a “Between.” This is a sharp, short and narrow needle with a small, rounded eye.

These little babies pack a punch because they’re short, easy to control, and they can help you make super small, accurate stitches – quickly.

I want to emphasize that these are preferred by traditional quilters who are using traditional quilting thread, which is much thinner than the Pearl Cotton No. 8 that I have grown to love.

When using these needles for hand quilting, you should pair it with thin, possibly waxed, thread, such as this.

Sizes: 3-12 If you’re a first-timer, go for an 8 or 9, and work your way up to smaller needles once you get the swing of things!

The Big Guns:Embroidery Needles

It's my philosophy that if I'm going to spend the time hand quilting a quilt, I want people to see those stitches from a mile away...or at least 10 feet away. That's why I opt for yarn-like Pearl Cotton Thread #8 and a pack of Gold Eye Embroidery Needles. The big eyes and sharp points are great for dragging thick thread (and even embroidery floss) through the quilt layers, and the needles are strong enough that they won’t get bent in the process.

Pair these needles with a needle threader and now you're cookin' with gas!

Sizes: 1 - 12 I like to hover around 3- 6 based on the type of batting I am using. With a puffier batting, I'll use a larger needle.

Bae Being Basic:Sharps

Sharps are your basic run-of-the-mill (not to be confused with Milliners) needles. They are very similar to Quilting Needles, just a skosh longer.

Sharps can easily be switched out for traditional Quilting Needles, and in most cases I would guess that unless you are seeing them side by side, you won't be able to tell the difference.

Sizes: 1-12 Although sizes 16-18 exist, they are huge (going against the rules of Benjamin Button law) and you won't be using them with fabric thinner than carpet. They're called Carpet Sharps.

Making Hats and Other Stuff:Milliners Needles

Milliner or Straw Needles are long, round-eyed needles that were designed for the purpose of hat making. These are very similar to Sharps, but longer. A good way to remember that is to think of fancy hat pin – it must be very sharp and long to keep those bedazzled feathers in place.

Sizes: 1-10

​美しいステッチ: Sashiko Needles

Sashiko needles hail from Japan, and were traditionally used for Sashiko embroidery, a practice that is equal parts peaceful meditation and fabulously elegant.

Traditional Sashiko needles are long (about 2 inches) and they have a really small eye. Because these needles are incredibly sturdy and easy to hold, they’re getting popular with hand quilters and embroidery sitchers alike. (But maybe don't tell the traditional sashiko stitchers you're using their needles for other non-sashiko purposes. This art form has a long and rich history and they maaaay not want you changing things up with their supplies.)

Sizes: Currently unsure how these are sizes. From what I can gather, they are just called long or short? Do you know?