My favorite needles for English Paper PIecing (EPP) are Tulip Milliners, size 10 by Hiroshima Needle.
Many people say they bend, and they are not wrong - however, it is because of how you hold it, and that just means it fits your hand.
Milliners come in sizes 1-10, with 1 being larger and 10 being finer.
Tulip uses an electrodeposition coating. According to their website:
"Electrodeposition coating is a process of forming a coating film by dipping an object in a bath filled with water-soluble paint and then passing an electric current through the coated object."
Features of electrodeposition coating:
- Produces a smooth and even coating film with excellent surface quality
- Achieves uniform coating, even on irregularly shaped surfaces, due to the high throwing power of electrodeposition paint
- No sagging or cracking of the coating film occurs
They polish the needles lengthwise minimizing contact surface with the fabric
I have found that the Tulip brand are thinner and sharper than any other brand I have tried. Once you try one, all other needles feel like you are trying to push nails through thread!
hey make a larger eye size 10 but I haven’t found them anywhere so I highly recommend a table top needle threader like this one by Clover.
I will be sharing more tips and tricks in my Take &Teach classes at International Quilt Market Nov 3-6. The classes are just $10.00 when you register, so be sure to ask about them.