What kind of thread do you use for applique? I have never appliqued before and this will be my first time.

I have always used regular thread. Will be watching this thread for some input.

I didn't know if you used a special thread or not.

When using regular thread, do you double or single it?

I use just a single thread.

I use a single silk thread. I do needle turn applique and the stitches are almost invisible. If you want the stitches to show, as in a buttonhole edge stitch, you can use one strand of regular cotton thread in a contrasting or coordinating color.

Do you use a neutral like gray or beige or do you match the color to the applique piece? I'm starting on needle turn and using guterman cotton (50 weight), but my stitches are not as invisible as I'd like.

Someone suggested to use the 60 weight cotton thread and someone else suggested the Masterpiece threads from Connecting threads.

I read (and try to follow these guidelines myself) that IF you have a match in color to the piece, then use that color thread. If you don't then match the color of the background.

In quiltshows, I have seen some pieces appliqued with neutrals but if the background wasn't a neutral also, those stitches really were noticeable.

I do this as well. I use matching thread of the applique piece.

Lately I've been using Masterpiece by Superior Threads. Connecting Threads has a bobbin donut with 36 different colors on cardboard bobbins. They also sell YLI silk thread in a neutral set. Keepsake has it in more colors. Aurifil 50wt works well also. I used to use Mettler (silk finish? I think) which was also fine. I confess to using doubled thread for convenience. But my official advice is to use one strand.

Brandi, I use the Gutterman, single strand but also use bees wax if I find it tangling. I have better luck if I cut my thread no more than 18" long. Hope this helps.

are you talking about hand applique? Any nice THIN thread will do, some prefer (I am one) that like silk thread to do my hand applique.

If you are using a spool thread the needle from the loose end not the end you are cutting. If you are using a bobbin thread the needle from the fresh cut end. Less tangles:)

Silk thread. Stitches won't show.

You will get as many answers as there are quilters. It all depends on what you want to accomplish. I can not answer for hand applique, because I don't do THAT! For machine, each project may require something different. I love to do black with a satin stitch if I want the piece to look cartoonish. If I want to bring up the applique rather than the edges I use a fine thread that match the color of the piece and stitch with a very small blanket stitch. If I want it to look more rustic I use a double blanket stitch with a color determined by how much I want for it to show. Sometimes I want the edges to get more attention, and I then use a bright color or a variegated, with a big double blanket stitch. I have also done some raw edge, and I just use a straight stitch about 1/8 inch or less inside the edge of the piece, and again, the color depends on how much I want for it to show.

I use Aurifil 50 wt. to match the applique piece. It sinks into the fabric nicely and I also use this for machine piecing, so I've got lots on hand. I know silk is wonderful, but I refuse to buy a bunch of extra thread for applique. I use what I already have and have found out a lot of others use Aurilfil for hand applique too.

I have just entered into the realm of hand applique and I am using YLI silk thread and loving it. The stitches really do disappear. I have 5 colors ranging from a dark brown to a white. I bought the assortment from CT. The mediums are a greenish color but they are blending in beautifully on all the different fabrics I am using. I just try to match the shade.

Thanks for all your replys. I mostly have regular thread and quilting thread. I don't have any silk thread.

for hand applique i use silk thread, it comes in so many wonderful colors, is thin, strong and disappears - it is very smooth -glides nicely. for machine applique i use what every thread is the correct color and weight for what i am appliquing-- for wool applique i use wool threads, and purol cottons most of the time but also use silk floss and other specialty flosses/threads. 50-weight or higher (the higher the number the thinner the thread) in a color that matches or is one shade darker- or a neutral the will blend.

Hi Brandi Below link is what i use for hand applique i try to match the color i am not sure of the equivalent in the USA as i am in Australia they have lots of colors and i use 2 threads for the hand applique i really enjoy hand applique and have made a few. :) good luck

http://www.coatscrafts.co.uk/Product...or+Marlitt.htm

For hand applique I like silk, embroidery thread and sewing thread for my appliques depending on the look I am trying to achieve. I use the colors to match the piece and fabric as best as possible.

For machine applique I use my King Tut trying to match the fabric color as best as I can.

As Maride said you're going to get as many answers here as there are people. It just comes down to what you prefer.

My mama and mother in law used embroidery thread. I use regular thread.

I use regular thread!

I use either a silk thread or a matching cotton thread either way the small stitches cannot be seen.Some times I run the cotton though bees wax to help it go though the fabric without tangling as easy

I got several spools of silk thread in a yard sale box several years ago and started using it on hand applique and even on machine applique using the blind hem stitch. Blends right in. I also like Mettler thread and use Thread Heaven to keep it from tangling.

I agree with Maia on the Connecting Threads donut... Lots of colors to blend with the pieces and thin enought to disappear in the hand applique...

Everyone has their preference. I always used regular thread until I discovered the fine thread. Right now I use Coats and Clark and use the color closest to what I am doing. The stitches disappear. I use it because of price and convenience.Some day I want to get silk thread. Or the thread from Superior threads.

I use dmc 60 weight or masterpiece thread.

, I love applique but I use the blanket stitch on the sewing machine, there are times I like the stitches (color) to show others I don't depends on the pattern, I know alot of gals that use just black ,gray, or dk brown,I have threads from different companies Iv collected when there on sale, I like color but thats my taste,,,,,but its addicted

I use embroidery floss, one strand, I get the closest match of colors with it, it's 100% cotton and washable. I do rinse the thread to be sure it doesn't bleed.

I agree. And alot of personal preference. :thumbup:

I've found that Bottom Line works well in addition to the advice that others here have given to you. I try to match the applique piece, but if I can't, then I will use a neutral in the same value tone. If you insert your needle just "underneath" the fold where you turn it under..just a thread or so then your stitches will be invisible.

I use silk for needle turn, sts dont show at all. I do have a lot of colors I use but if done right you can use any color you want. I dont do it "right" all the time is why I have a lot of colors of silk thread.

For hand applique I use DMC 50wt.100% cotton thread with a size 11-a needle. I match the colors.

For machine applique I use Connecting Threads 50 wt. I get no lint in the machine.
Hope that helps.

for hand applique - I use silk or aurifil

I am a fairly new quilter and have begun to do some hand applique, which I find very relaxing. I bought quilting thread, which I thought we're supposed to use for hand quilting, but now it sounds like I'm wrong. What do we use quilting thread for?

I just took a class in applique from a shop where the owner does beautiful applique. She highly recomended silk thread. I tried silk and regular thread. I like silk much better it just seems to disappear in to the fabric

I use a single strand of six-ply embroidery thread. It's fine and since I have almost every color in the rainbow from old embroidery projects, it's an easy way to get a color that's a close match for my applique piece.

How many strands did you use?

...if you're right-handed...

I got three sets of BOBs at Superior Threads that are put together for hand applique. The thread is Bottom Line, made for longarm quilting, but it is a VERY fine thread. It's probably comparable to a silk, though I haven't tried that yet. I like it a lot. It is strong and color matching just makes it disappear.

For machine applique I have been using Sulky monofilament on the top and a thread that matches the background on the bobbin. Can hardly see it when I use a tiny zig-zag.