What threads would you recommend to machine sew with? What are the differences in blends and what threads shouldn't be used? What is the difference between machine quilting thread and hand quilting thread? How does the thread choice affect the needle choices?

Whatever comes to mind I'm open to being educated. If there's some good, detailed links you can recommend, that's great too. But I'd also like your personal responses.

(After this I can begin to build my thread "stash"-- :wink: :lol: )

Thanks for all your input and happy quilting!!!!!

I always use cotton.. Some say the 100% Egyptian cotton is the best...

I just like the fact the cotton thread is strong and easy to work with..

most of my machines work fine with just about any kind of thread. one of them, however, has developed a bad case of "uppity" and won't produce a decent result anymore unless i use 100% cotton. thank goodness i discovered threadart.com. 40 wt 3-ply 100% cotton for about half what i pay for polycotton blends at wally world. less than half if i don't count shipping. :-)

I also buy mine from threadart.com.. I just got some more.. The prices are excellent.. I am doing quite a few quilts right now that has blue as the dominating color.. I was able to order a wide variety of the blues to make the quilts "pop" when they are done.. :lol:

I know this is a long time after the discussion, but if anyone is interested, I was in Wal Mart today and noticed they carry an Organic Cotton Thread. Don't know how long they have had it, I hadn't looked for a while, since they sold out the fabric dept.

Actually, Peggy, your post is timely for me.

Lately I've been wondering about the age of the thread. I've read in here that "old" thread is not good to use. My question is, how old is old? A year? Ten? Also, I THINK I've looked, but I don't recall seeing any other information on the thread other than "cotton" or blend. Where can I see what kind of cotton they use? Or is this a sign that I'm definately using inferior thread? :?

I'd be much obliged for any help!

I rarely machine quilt, unless I am learning a new technique. I usually use Coat's and Clark Dual Duty then. Don't know it is best, I just have it and it is usually on a wall hanging, or something that does not get hard wear. So, I am not an expert on what is best. I am afraid I can't help you there. I did not look at the organic, closely enough to see if it was Egytian cotton or not. I just noticed it, never had seen it before. It was over $6 a spool. Sorry I can't help. For what it is worth, I know some quilters who say they cannot use Coats and Clark in their machines, that may be as important as anything.

I too use Coats & Clark duel duty for piecing and the machine quilting version for my quilting of course. :lol: I notice though when I checked the %'s on both there wasn't much difference between the duel duty and the machine quilting as for how much is cotton & how much is polyester. :wink: I'm not sure if the difference is in how it wears/works in the machine when quilting. Perhaps the duel duty would break more with stress on quilting, I haven't tried it to see if that is the case. :?

I am afraid I am no help there. I know several ladies who quilt a lot, and they seem to use mostly Mettlers, don't know if it is better, or just works better in their machines, several of them have the more expensive Janome's. When I hand quilt, I decide whether to use one thread or another a lot by the effect I want. Maybe there is no right or wrong, if it works for you, maybe that is fine. I honestly don't know, but it sounds good.

Thank you all! Sharing your experiences sure helps the rest of us!

I am as environmentally friendly as anyone... but show me why I should use organic thread.

I primarily use Mettler's Silky 50/2 for piecing, I use 100% cotton 40/3 thread of different brands for most quilting. I like the thickness it gives my quilting lines. I do have some of that Egyptian 100% cotton thread, but you know, it doesn't make much difference in the machine.

For 50/2 I use a size 75 needle, for 40/3 I use a 90.

Having the strongest thread is not necessarily the best option. Too strong a thread, it will eventually cut your quilt fabric into small pieces. I did use a polyester thread (Sewfine)on the back of my latest quilt, but it's because my backing fabric is fairly heavy compared to normal quilting 100% cotton fabric. I suspect that quilt will out last me, and my daughter who gets it and she is only 12.

tim in san jose

I have been trying to figure out since I saw it, what the advantage to "organic" cotton thread would be. Just thought it was interesting. It seems like an excuse to charge more. I do see an advantage to organic in some things, haven't figured this one out.

:? :wink: I do Love the YLI Cotton Egyptian Thread in Multi Colors. I like the Threadart.com I have ordered more from Homesew.com or I use there catalog they send even better and Both TA and HS send it to my POBox which I Love as well, Now for C&C Thread my machines did perfect with the old made in USA But NOT The new of today made in Mexico unless I change the tension to a lower number your machine could be different. But the Mex. Thread is a Thinner Thread and that is the reason for the Trouble so the Tension needs to be changed. I Love the C&C Machine Quilting Thread I get a WM and they have it even though they don't have Fabric, Believe that one or not,They also have Sewing Machine but NO Fabrics, Oh well this is for thread. Good luck! I increased my Thread stash and Love it!!!!!

I also use their machine quilting thread, but usually the varigated varieties. Since they no longer carry fabrics is why I hadn't looked at thread recently, I stay away from that dept. But, the altenative is driving 45 miles or so to get a spool of thread.

If you really want to learn about thread, I suggest you sign up for the monthly newsletter from Superior thread. They educate their consumers on all the topics you have mentioned, and you can send them any question and they will answer it. the beginning of the year they send out a newsletter with the top 10 questions from the prior year. They are usually the same questions, such as, the age old debate of poly vs. cotton, aging of thread, how is thread made, what does Egyptian cotton mean, what is long stable and extra long stable cotton and so on. you can subscribe by going to www.superiorthreads.com and going to newsletter. And BTW, their answers are educational in nature, not just telling you how their product is made or holds up or is better than the competition. It is well worth reading their emails.
Mindy