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Types
Although they are not required for machine quilting, there are quilting needles for sewing machines that make the quilting process easier. There are needles designated for both quilting and for "topstitch," and needles made for piecing and metallic threads. Quilting needles are slimmer and sharper than universal needles but are still slightly rounded. They can be used in both piecing and quilting. The tapered shafts go through numerous layers easily. Microtex sharp needles are extra thin and make extremely small holes in quilting fabric. Many machine quilters prefer the Microtex for piecing. Topstitching needles are extra pointed and sharp and have an extra-large eye to accommodate heavier topstitching threads. Although the width of the topstitching needles vary, the eye is always the same size. Both the topstitching and the metallic needles can be used with heavy metallic threads. Metallic needles have extra Teflon coating in the eye to allow threads to flow more easily through the hole.
Adapted Needles
A universal needle does not work well for quilting since the tip is slightly rounded. As such, it does not pierce the fabric well. Some quilters like to use jeans/denim needles, which are slim, sharp and extra strong. These work well on tightly woven quilting fabrics. Embroidery needles may also be used by quilters who are stitching over embroidered areas on a quilt. These needles are made for use with rayon and other specialty threads. The long groove and large eye help prevent fraying the fancy threads.
Size
Needles are sized by millimeters and by traditional American/Singer Sewing Machine numbers. The metric sizes are calculated by taking the diameter of the needle in millimeters, then multiplying by 100 to make a whole number. So an 80 needle is really .8 millimeters in diameter. Needle sizes are often stated with the metric number first, followed by a backslash, which is then followed by another number. The second number is the traditional Singer size. So an 80 needle is an 80/12. Other standard sizes are 90/14 and 75/11. The larger the number, the larger the needle's diameter. Choose a needle based on the thickness of the thread you intend to use, and use the thinnest needle possible for the thread and the fabric to reduce the size of holes in the fabric.
Sharpness
The most important thing to remember is that a machine needle used for quilting must be sharp. It is the least expensive element in the stitching process, but also the most important, so change the needle frequently. As soon as the needle seems dull, starts making a popping sound as it goes in and out of the fabric, or starts to make poorly formed stitches, swap the old needle out for a new, sharp one.