I prefer to use the smallest needles I can find (I think are #28) They break on me all the time but I work much better with that size.

The smaller the needle the easier it is to warp, bend, and break. I'm a little rough working with mine and think it's from how hard I pull on the thread. So to keep myself from going through so many, once I get the needle through the fabric I pull on the thread instead of the needle itself. I hope this helps.

In the past, I have had these very small needles bend. I really don't use ones that small anymore because my "big" issue was that the threads would begin to fray. I posted not long ago that I took a good look with a magnifier and saw that the inside of the "eye" was not smooth....I think because of how hard it is to produce something so small! There may be a supplier who has "quality" needles this small, however, I am not aware of who that would be!! I don't go lower than a 26 needle.

I have one needle that I cannot thread. The eye seems narrow or not cut right or something. I thought it was just a default in the manufacturing but maybe it is a collapsing eye! I don't use it anymore. I have many needles. I have a collection of them from every time I buy a kit, which is fine. It is good to have extras!
Jacquie

Collapsible needles have a huge plastic-thread eye...probably not plastic, but it is a pliable material. No, I have never had one "collapse", but my experience is not an extensive one. My guess is that the eye will probably become compressed with use on higher count fabrics, like repeated use of a bend-straight-bend plastic hinge...just a wild guess. :)

No, it's not us, it's the needles. I don't like Anchor any longer for that reason. My floss gets roughed up too. And yes, the eyes break, especially the smaller sizes don't hold up so well. I don't know if it's the manufacturing process or the frequent use of threaders that makes them rough but it's a nuisance. I now try to use Bohin needles.
Problems, problems. I have to be careful because I feel like I'm turning into a huge complainer. But everything is junk these days and everybody does a lousy job. I noticed last night that my cook top wasn't installed correctly. I melted a small amount of butter in a pan and noticed that it ran to the left. I checked more closely and discovered that there is a gap between the cook top and counter top on the right side. So now the process begins all over again. The joker charged $165 for maybe 30 minutes worth of work. I don't want to spend my remaining time having to do everything two and three times and listening to stupid excuses. I could be doing fun stuff instead!

I have the DMC size # 28 needles bend, break and the occasional "eye" be narrower. A couple of neeghts ago I was attempting to thread a piece of floss through the eye and couldn't understand why the needle between my fingers wouldn't allow me to turn it so the "eye" was facing me straight on, until I saw that the actual needle shaft was slightly curved.

Jersey, BOHIN needles, while they cost more, do seem to be a better made needle. You pay more of course. But according to BOHIN, their claim is that the inside of the "eye" area of their needles are smoother and are less likely to shred the floss. I have bought some BOHIN and they do seem to be a better needle. But considering that I use a lot of size 28 needles for all the floss colors, the cost of all of them being BOHIN is somewhat cost prohibitive.

Thanks Bermuda....I called a local Quilt shop here and they DO sell the Bohin needles!!

If cost for the Bohins becomes an issue then I'll cut back on something else. I'm not using inferior products and incur all the aggravation. This is a hobby and is supposed to relax us not cause us grief.

John Jameses were reliable but now that I'm hooked on Bohin needles, I feel that nothing can compare. My floss slides through size 28 without a threader or spit! You cannot beat that! LOL

People are so nasty these days. I have a beautiful Jessamine (yellow belled shaped flowers) growing on my fence by the kitchen window. It's blooming profusely and has a lovely scent. I noticed that something did not look right this morning and investigated. Don't you know those sorry neighbors of mine cut it way back from their side. I wish that they were as aggressive about their weeds coming over to my side or the appearance of their lawn in general. I now understand why people move out into the middle of nowhere.

i found a site where you can get 50 #28 tapestry needles bohin for 16.00 but you have to have a min order of 25.00 website is anitalittlestitches.com i hope this helps ROBIN