The #18 MR 4.0 R-Point Regular Sharp Needle — 134MR is a professional longarm machine needle in size 18 with an R-Point (regular sharp) tip. Longarm machine needles are a consumable that should be changed regularly — typically every 8–12 hours of quilting time — to maintain optimal stitch quality. The 134MR designation is the standard system used by most longarm machine manufacturers.
Product Details
- Size: 18 — heavy-duty size appropriate for multiple layers of quilting cotton and batting
- Tip: R-Point (Regular Sharp / MR 4.0) — standard all-purpose quilting needle tip
- System: 134MR — the standard needle system for most longarm machines
- Use: General longarm machine quilting through cotton fabric and batting
Frequently Asked Questions
- What does “R-Point” or “MR 4.0” mean?
- The R-Point (also called MR 4.0 or Regular point) is the standard all-purpose needle tip for longarm quilting through cotton fabric and batting. It has a slightly rounded point that penetrates fabric without excessive fabric damage. For most standard longarm quilting applications, R-Point is the correct needle choice.
- How often should longarm needles be changed?
- Most experienced longarm quilters recommend changing needles every 8–12 hours of actual quilting time, or whenever you notice a change in stitch quality, increased thread breaks, a popping sound when the needle enters the fabric, or visible needle deflection. Fresh needles prevent the majority of thread and tension problems.
- What is the 134MR needle system?
- 134MR is a needle system (also called 135x5 or DBx1) used by the majority of commercial and longarm sewing machines worldwide. Most major longarm brands — APQS, Gammill, HandiQuilter, Innova, and others — use 134MR-compatible needles. Always verify your specific machine’s needle system before ordering.
- Why size 18 for longarm quilting?
- Size 18 is the most commonly recommended needle size for longarm quilting through standard quilting cotton and batting. It is large enough to handle the thread sizes used in longarm quilting without excessive eye drag, while being fine enough to avoid creating visible holes in the fabric.
- How many needles come in a package?
- Longarm needles are typically sold in packs of 5 or 10. Check the current product listing for the specific count.
