Best Hand Quilting Needles of 2026

Ann Hale Avatar
Ann Hale
Last Updated: Jan 9, 2026

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Hand quilting needles are an essential tool for any quilter looking to create beautiful, intricate designs by hand. These needles are specially designed with a larger eye and a sharp point to make it easier to thread and stitch through multiple layers of fabric. They come in a variety of sizes, from fine to heavy-duty, to accommodate different types of fabrics and thread. Hand quilting needles are made from high-quality materials, such as nickel-plated steel or titanium, to ensure durability and strength. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced quilter, these needles are a must-have for any quilting project.

At a Glance: Our Top Picks

Dritz Gold-Eye Big Stitch Quilting Needles, Size 5, 12 Count Cover #TOP 1
Dritz Gold-Eye Big Stitch Quilting Needles, Size 5, 12 Count
ftb score rating icon 9.9
Big Eye Hand Quilting Needles Cover #TOP 2
Big Eye Hand Quilting Needles
ftb score rating icon 9.8
Colonial Needle Quilting/Betweens Hand Needles Cover #TOP 3
Colonial Needle Quilting/Betweens Hand Needles
ftb score rating icon 9.6

Top 10 Hand Quilting Needles

#TOP 1

Dritz Gold-Eye Big Stitch Quilting Needles, Size 5, 12 Count

3058
Silver
Dritz Gold-Eye Big Stitch Quilting Needles, Size 5, 12 Count Cover
Dritz Gold-Eye Big Stitch Quilting Needles, Size 5, 12 Count,Silver

Dritz Big Stitch Needles are the perfect choice for heavy-duty quilting. The gold eyes enhance visibility, making threading easier, while the long eyes are designed for heavier size 8 pearl cotton. The sharp point easily penetrates quilt layers, making it easy to use. The convenient glass storage tube with an attractive matte gold screw-on lid keeps the needles organized and easy to find. These hand needles are the most commonly used type and size for big stitch (bold hand) quilting, making them an essential tool for any quilter.

What We Like
Enhanced visibility
Designed for heavy-duty quilting
Sharp and easy to use
#TOP 2

Big Eye Hand Quilting Needles

BO00323
Silver
No.10
Big Eye Hand Quilting Needles Cover
Big Eye Hand Quilting Needles-Size 10 20/Pkg

This pack of BOHIN Big Eye Hand Quilting Needles includes 20 needles of Size 10 with big eyes to make threading much easier. These needles are perfect for ordinary sewing in tight and thick materials, making them a great tool for quilting. They are also imported for a high-quality design.

What We Like
Big eyes make threading easier
Suitable for ordinary sewing in tight and thick materials
Includes 20 needles for convenience
#TOP 3

Colonial Needle Quilting/Betweens Hand Needles

JJ120-08
Silver
Colonial Needle Quilting/Betweens Hand Needles Cover
Quilting/Betweens Hand Needles-Size 8 20/Pkg

These hand needles are made in Wales with finest quality English needles. They can add extra design to any project and are perfect for starting any quilting project.

What We Like
Finest quality English needles
Great for adding extra design to any project
Perfect for starting any quilting project
#TOP 4

Colonial Needle Quilting/Betweens Hand Needles

JJ120-10
stainless steel
Colonial Needle Quilting/Betweens Hand Needles Cover
Quilting/Betweens Hand Needles-Size 10 20/Pkg

These English needles are high-quality and perfect for adding extra design to any quilting project you want to undertake. They are a great starting point for any quilting project and come in a package of 20.

What We Like
High-quality English needles
Great for adding extra design to quilting projects
Perfect starting point for any quilting project
#TOP 5

Colonial Needle Between Quilting Needles, Size 9

JJ120-09
black
Size 9
Colonial Needle Between Quilting Needles, Size 9 Cover
Colonial Needle 20 Count John James Between Quilting Needles, Size 9

Colonial Between Needles by Colonial Needle is a set of 20 high-quality English needles that are perfect for adding extra design to any quilting project. These needles are an ideal start to any project, with their size 9 making them suitable for a range of fabrics. The needles are durable and long-lasting, ensuring that they will not break or bend easily during use. They are also lightweight and easy to handle, making them comfortable to use for extended periods. With a package dimension of 4.5 H x 2.0 L x 1.9 W, these needles are easy to store and transport. Whether you're a professional quilter or just starting out, Colonial Between Needles are an excellent choice for adding extra detail and design to your projects.

What We Like
High-quality needles
Perfect for adding extra design
Size 9 suitable for a range of fabrics
#TOP 6

Colonial Needle John James Big Eye Quilting Needles Size 11

JJ125-11
Black
Colonial Needle John James Big Eye Quilting Needles Size 11 Cover
John James Big Eye Quilting Hand Needles-Size 11 12/Pkg

The Colonial Needle Quilting Needles are designed for ease and precision in your quilting projects. With their sharp tips, these needles easily pierce fabric, making your stitching smoother and more accurate. The large eye of the needle simplifies threading, saving you time and frustration, especially if you work with thicker threads. These needles are also customer-approved, indicating that many quilters trust and enjoy using them. Whether you’re a beginner or experienced, these needles offer convenience and reliability to enhance your hand quilting experience.

What We Like
Easy threading large eye
Sharp needle tips
Trusted by customers
#TOP 7

Colonial Needle JJ60400 Curved Quilting Hand Needles, 4-Pack , Yellow

JJ60400
YELLOW
Colonial Needle JJ60400 Curved Quilting Hand Needles, 4-Pack , Yellow Cover
Colonial Needle JJ60400 Curved Quilting Hand Needles, 4-Pack

Colonial Needle Curved Needles are high-quality English needles that are perfect for adding extra designs to your quilting project. With their curved design, they are suitable for stitching through multiple layers of fabric and can help you achieve smooth and even stitching. They are a great way to add a unique touch to any project and are the perfect start to any quilting project. The package dimensions are 5.5 H x 0.31 L x 2.64 W, making them easy to store and transport.

What We Like
High-quality English needles
Curved design for smoother stitching
Great for adding unique designs
#TOP 8

Sewline Tulip Quilting Needles Size 9

THNQN-9
Orange
Sewline Tulip Quilting Needles Size 9 Cover
Sewline Tulip Quilting Needles, Size-9, 6-Pack

The Sewline Tulip Quilting Needles are perfect for precise hand quilting projects. These needles, also called Betweens, are short and sharp, making it easier for you to create tiny, accurate stitches with better control. Each pack contains six size #9 needles, which are ideal for detailed work. The needles come in a clear, durable package that helps you keep them organized and easy to find. Made with high craftsmanship, these needles feature a smooth surface and a strong yet flexible body, ensuring they glide through fabric smoothly and last longer in your sewing kit.

What We Like
Short, sharp needle design
Size 9, ideal for detail
Clear, durable packaging
Strong, flexible body
Smooth surface finish
#TOP 9

Clover Black Gold Quilting Needles Assorted

4963
Multi-colour
assorted
Clover Black Gold Quilting Needles Assorted Cover
Clover Black Gold Needles: Quilting/Betweens Assorted, 1

The Clover Quilting Needles Assortment is perfect for hand quilting projects, offering you a set of six needles in three different sizes (No. 9, No. 10, and No. 12). This variety allows you to choose the right needle for different fabric thicknesses and stitching details. Each needle is designed to glide through fabric smoothly, reducing your effort and making your quilting experience more enjoyable. These needles are specifically made for quilting between layers, so you can create beautiful, even stitches with ease. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced quilter, this assortment provides convenience and quality for your sewing needs.

What We Like
Variety of needle sizes
Six needles per pack
Smooth fabric piercing
Designed for quilting between layers
#TOP 10

Big Eye Quilting Hand Needles

JJ125-10
Silver
Big Eye Quilting Hand Needles Cover
Colonial Needle Big Eye Quilting Hand Needles-Size 10 12/Pkg

These hand quilting needles are high-quality English needles that are perfect for adding extra design to your projects. They are a great way to start any project and make quilting easier and more enjoyable.

What We Like
Finest quality English needles
Easy way to add extra design to your projects
Great start to any project
Buying Guide Image

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is the best stitch for hand quilting?

Big stitch hand quilting involves using a running stitch with a heavier thread, such as 12wt or 8wt thread. This technique adds a personal touch to quilts and the slight imperfections from hand stitching contribute to the homemade charm.

2. How do you get even stitches when hand quilting?

To achieve even stitches when hand quilting, it's important to use a rocking motion with the needle. This allows the needle to grab as many stitches as possible before running it through the quilt, resulting in uniform stitches.

3. What is the best stitch length for quilting?

For straight stitching in machine quilting, it is recommended to set the stitch length to 2.5 to 3.0 or approximately 8-12 stitches per inch. This range is suitable for most machine quilting projects, although certain exceptions may apply. When using threads with sparkle or shine, a longer stitch length is advised.

4. Is hand quilting stronger than machine quilting?

Contrary to the myth, hand quilting can be just as durable as machine quilting, especially with big-stitch hand quilting using thicker thread. Thicker thread is less likely to break compared to piecing thread, making it a strong option for hand quilting.

5. What is the easiest quilting method?

Straight line quilting is considered the easiest quilting method, making it ideal for beginners. This technique involves sewing straight stitching lines in rows, columns, diagonals, or spirals to create the desired quilting design.

Editor's Notes

During our hand quilting needle research, we found 24 hand quilting needle products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 11,483 customer reviews through our big data system to write the hand quilting needles list. We found that most customers choose hand quilting needles with an average price of $5.83.

The hand quilting needles are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of hand quilting needles, including Dritz, Bohin, Colonial Needle, Sewline, Clover. The seller of top 1 product has received honest feedback from 384 consumers with an average rating of 4.7.

Written by
Ann Hale Avatar

Ann Hale is a seamstress, pattern maker, and fashion designer with extensive sewing experience. She has worked in the fashion industry for over 10 years now after receiving Associates's Degree in fashion design in 2010. Also as a writer, she has many creative and unique insights when it comes to articles.