Laurie, I just use Americana Hand Quilting Thread, which is in the cheap bin at Joanne's. (It is only 99 cents.) As for the needle, I use the larger betweens (9 or 10). Can't get the thread thru the eye on the #12 size. Not sure what brand it is, I'm using the last one in a packet that I bought years ago, really need to buy more. But I know it isn't one of the premium expensive brands. I often wonder what kind of thread the oldtimers used, seems like when I look at old quilts the thread looks thicker than what I see now. Do any of you vintage experts know this?? I'm fascinated with old quilts, the materials used, the techniques, etc. I have one quilt that was made by an Aunt in WV that has a blanket as the batting, it is so heavy! I've been told that was a common thing to do.
Rita

I use Coats hand quilting thread. I bought 20 'gold eye betweens' by Dritz from Joanne's and they bend too fast. I can quilt with a bent needle but I'm afraid these will break in half LOL!
I just bought John James' big eye quilting needles size 10 and I haven't had a chance to try them but they come highly recommended.
They are made in England and I bought them online at Joanne's. I had a coupon or they were on sale, but I don't remember what they cost.
Rita I would also like to know what thread they used. I do remember reading they reused threads from basting for quilting.
Rosa

Right now I am using Coats Handquilting thread because that was on the rack but for my needles I like Roxanne's betweens, #11. Tried others but I like these the best. Jayne

I use YLI Select quilting thread and size 11 stainless quilting needles.

Teresa

My favorite quilting thread is Gutterman in a 40 weight. I hear the YLI is just as good, but my LQS carries Gutterman. I like it because it is highly waxed, so it tangles and wears the least during hand quilting.

I don't have enough experience to truly have a favorite needle, except I used #10's Richard Hemmings the most to learn on. I tried some John James #11, but I was already irritated by anything but Richard Hemmings #10.

In her book "Winning Stitches" c.2004, Elsie M. Campbell says her favorite is John James because of the bigger eye the needle gauge is actually a size thicker for the length. In other words, the #11 has the thickness of the usual #10, so it bends less if you rock aggressively.

In her book, "Quiltmaking by Hand" c. 2004 Jenny Beyer states she sells her favorite from Jenny Beyer Studio. If you then go to Jenny Beyer Studio you see she sells John James gold-n-glide.

So I've got some John James #11 big eye gold-n-glide for my next quilt--but I've got Roxanne's #10's, #11, and Richard Hemming #10 and #11. I suspect it'll just be whatever I start out with and get the best feel for in a particular quilt, at least until I get more experience.

I know one piece of advice they all gave that I found so true, and that was to get a new needle every five or six hours of quilting. They just do dull, and there no such thing as 'sharpening' on emery--that's a big fat myth I say.
It just wears off the plating and then they really drag.

I don't think quilting thread has changed that much over the years. It's the process by which it is made that has changed and thus has changed how it appears.

For most of my quilting I like a number 10 needle. I do change my needles often.
Thread I haven't found one that works for every situation so I always seem to be trying different ones.

I just bought a spool of coats hand quilting in white and am using it but it tangles so easy it is driving me crazy, I think I am going to go on line and find my star hand quilting even if it means paying big shipping.

I will be hunting for the John James Needles and trying them, I have the tendency to bend them, I do my hand quilting in my lap as of right now but will be trying the EZ3 hand quilting frame shortly. Quilting in my lap is a bit war during the hot months in TX

Laurie

You all may already know this trick, but in case any of you have never heard of it, when you get a new length of thread from the spool, instead of pulling it the desired length and cutting it, then threading it on the needle, if you will first thread it on the needle, then pull out what you want and then cut it, it won't twist and tangle so much. It works for me!
Rita