I missed your post on needles,so I'll answer here. I had used Schmetz since I bought my first Bernina in the 1970's and by chance bought a pack of organ titanium at my dealer to try because I had never seen them before and wow!!!! I was hooked. They were expensive at my dealer, but I also discovered Allstitch.net They sell wholesale to anyone. request a catalog. phone # is 410-646-0382