-related, plan on a new one after 8-12 hours of sewing time. For specially coated needles, like Organ titanium, you can probably safely double that time, maybe even triple it. You can also get extended use from the chrome-plated needles that are now being sold. However these coated needles cost more, so there is a temptation to use them longer than you might use ordinary needles. That’s dangerous, because when they become dull they will not penetrate fabric well. That can lead to breakage, but because they are so strong they will usually damage the bobbin case or the machine when they break. If the needle hits something, but doesn’t break, change it anyway. Likewise, if the needle appears to be bent, change it. In fact, when in doubt, throw it out!
There are many different brands of needles on the market today, so you have a lot of choice in what you use. Most Janome owners are familiar with the blue tip and red tip needles that are included with their machines. These are made for Janome by Organ. The color on the shank indicates needle size. Blue tip needles are size 11. Red tips are size 14. They are good quality needles that work well for sewing and embroidery. Janome also has topstitch needles, leather needles, and a purple tip needle that has a tip that resembles the head of a cobra. The purple tip is recommended for quilting, and it also works very well for embroidery and regular sewing.
Schmetz is probably the largest needle manufacturer in the world, making both household and commercial needles. They have a huge variety of needle types for just about any sewing activity you can think of. Their needles are very high quality and last a little longer than other brands, at least in the non-titanium varieties. While many people use Schmetz needles, some Janome owners report that they don’t work with Janome machines that have automatic needle threaders. This is only reported by some Janome owners, not all. It likely has to do with how the needle threaders are calibrated. As previously stated, this is usually done with a size 14 needle, which can cause problems with smaller sizes, and perhaps other brands.
Many thread and notions suppliers also offer needles. These are mostly quite good, as they are manufactured by established companies like Organ and Schmetz. Good quality needles are also available online, often with substantial discounts for large quantities. If you cannot get high quality needles locally, you may be tempted to resort to the “Sewing Supply” rack in the local supermarket, or something similar in a “big box” discount store. That’s not a good idea. Those needles are made to sell for a low price. If they are sold under the Singer brand they may also be optimized for the Singer hook system and not ideal for other brands of machines. It’s advisable to get the best quality needles you can and change them frequently, even when there is no obvious damage. Regardless of what brand you use, you will find a lot of in-depth information on this website.