So i start my quilting class on Monday. I am super excited about this quilt b/c i am soooo in love with my fabric, its scary how much i would be willing to marry it... i love it so much. I take it out every few days to look at it and admire it. Aw... bliss. Anywho, i've been excited to start my class and it just dawned on me.... i have no thread! Duh!

Which has led me to start questioning what kind of thread to get? What color? And of course I have no idea what I'm doing, i'm looking for opinions and advice and wonder how everyone else chooses.

I am making this quilt.... (Queen of Diamonds by Atkinson Designs). http://www.oldegreencupboard.com/que...20diamonds.jpg

And I am using darker teals/blues/browns as my color scheme. Very, very beautiful browns and teals I might add (if you hadn't caught that in the first gushing paragraph). Oh, and my "white" fabric (from the example) is a cream color with little blue paisley.

What kind of thread should i be buying? And what color? And why would you suggest that (just so i know the through process so eventually I can do this on my own)

I will be machine piecing this together, i can't even think that far ahead to the quilting part

Thanks!

i use neutral shades for all my piecing (cream, taupe, grey, etc).

the only time i worry that my thread must match the fabric in color is when i'm pressing the seams open.

if you press the seams to one side you really won't see the thread used for piecing.

fashion sewing requires matching thread much more than quilters do.

I use 100% cotton machine quilting thread for my machine piecing. For your project, I'd find a color to match the cream fabric. The cream fabric borders all the other fabrics in the pattern. If you set your machine to 2.5mm stitch length or less, you won't see the thread anyway. At least, I can't on the pieces I do.

I'm a new quilter, so I'm no expert, but here's what I do:

I always use 100% cotton thread. This is because polyester or mixed thread is stronger than 100% cotton fabric (or thread), and in time the stronger thread could rip the 100% cotton fabric.

I very roughly match the thread colour to one of the lighter colours in my fabrics - roughly because I buy large spools of thread for machine piecing and the larger spools tend to come in fewer colours. If my fabric has a fair amount of white, or I'm using very pale or white blender fabrics, I use white thread.

For instance: I'm currently making a quilt using the reds/browns/blacks in <a href="http://mordac.unitednotions.com/stor...&ctg_id=121897">Moda's Bistro</a> fabric range, and I'm piecing it with a brownish-burgundy thread.

In your case I would use cream or white thread.

Jan

I now use 100% cotton quilting thread when piecing. My LQS recommends that you use a neutral color (off white, gray, taupe, etc.)

I generally use cotton thread in neutral tones - beige or grey, but for the piecing, I have on occasion just used up what was on the bobbin. Now I do try to match the weight of the bobbin and top thread.

I like Star brand thread and the big spools from Connecting Threads.

Once I read a horror story from a beginning quilter who had used a serger cone thread to do all her piecing and when she pressed her blocks, the thread melted and she undid all her work. Not sure what the fiber content was - but it had a low melt point.

I usually use a light gray 100% cotton for piecing because it will blend in the best with different colors.

Now the quilting part is a different matter. I have used rayon, variegated, metallic, silk and cotton - it all depends on what the project tells me to do (yes, the fabric talks to me and I always listen to the voices inside my head :D )

I use a neutral cotton thread to piece. If my fabric is dark I use gray and if it is light I use cream. I really like Connecting Threads thread, but have used Coats and Clarks thread too.

I was wondering if any one uses the long staple cotton thread, such as the egyptian thread. They say that it creates much less lint in your sewing machine. Was told to look at a strand of coats and clark thread and you can see all the fuzz sticking out of the thread because they use short stable thread, and true you do see it. Now looking into a brand of cotton long staple thread, would any one have any suggestion?
db

I piece my quilts with either off white or grey. Works for me.

I always go neutral...cream, white, etc.

I will warn you about Coats & Clark - it has created so much dust in my machine that I will not use it again. I prefer Aurafil, or other high quality threads. I usually wait until they are on sale at Joanne's (you can get them at 50% off) and stock up!

I consider my machine a major investment and almost like another child - and don't want to damage it with what I put in her tummy!

I have never had trouble with C&C thread, but I have a really sturdy older machine. I understand some of the newer machines are a little more fussy.

Ask your instructor what kind of thread she thinks you should use. That's why you are paying to take a class. :wink:

I like using poly for piecing, no lint at all. About it damaging cotton fabtric, I have read that most 'people that know this stuff' say they have no idea why that caution was ever so popular. Bottom Line by Superior is 100% poly and Sew Fine is poly. Anyway, use a good brand of thread for piecing and look at what other class members are using. You will find the thread you like and your machine likes by experiementing. Right now I'm using Essential thread by Connecting Threads for my piecing. I like it and my machine likes it.

can't add anything new, really. I go with neutrals, and I use Essential threads, 100% cotton.
I have read, that the caution about cotton thread to cotton material, is not as much a problem, now that ppl do machine quilting. It was very important when most were hand quilting. I am a little on the cautious side, and as i gain experiece, i may branch out later. For now, have much cotton thread, as I stocked up! :D
P.S. not to confuse you...you will learn in time, their are many opinions on many things, in quilting, that is why you hear the refrain...whatever YOU like or want...there are some professional quilters, that press their seams open. They say...lol, ('they say") that their seams lie flatter.
I will probably do some of both. :D

I too went with the connecting threads brand, Essentials. They sell it in lots of different combinations. I had a big problem with the coats and clarks giving my newer bernina fits. My old bernina does not care which thread I use with it. So I will save it for sewing with that one.

The essentials is very reasonable by the collection price.

The color thread is the most important when you are quilting on the top, than when you are piecing. I also use a neutral to my fabric when piecing.

Keep us posted after your class. I really want to see your quilt, it sounds really pretty.

I like colors, even have neon green, and I am not afraid to use them! LOL...I enjoy Mettlers ( i think thats how it's spelled ) threads, but they can be a bit expensive....and ( dont tell anyone this ) I always use embrodiery thread (Nylon), when I am doing the quilting..it's got a thicker, softer shinner look to it...plus unlike a lot of threads I've worked with, it doesn't break as often.

i use embroidery thread often on my quilt top along with metallics and holographics.

i love all the fancy type threads that are on the market - i'm like a kid in a candy store.

I just bought some essentials thread from Connecting Threads. I hope it's good - any feedback on it?

i think more people around here really like that thread vs. those who don't care for it.

i think some people have a lint issue with that thread and their machine.

Pay attention to the thread weight (thickness), too. A 50wt thread is good for machine piecing and will let your seams lie nice and flat.

For what it's worth, I was told by an industrial sewing machine guy that the newer machines have internal threading which creates more lint build up inside the machine. Machines that have external threading has less lint build up. The lint over time will cause the tension disc to get a groove in them causing tension problems. That is why it's important to have the internal threading machines serviced frequently to remove the lint from the tension discs that the sewer cannot see. So the less linty thread you can use for the newer machines the better.

I was told that polyester threads shouldn't be used because the temperature of the iron you use when pressing can melt/weaken the thread, That's why they always recommend cotton thread.

When I started, the instructor recommended using Dual Duty all-purpose thread by Coats & Clark.

I still use it.

My daughter had a quilt on her bed for 10 years - she also had big dogs - areas of the fabric have worn away, but I did not notice any damage along the seam lines. The Kona cotton fabric also survived well. What wore out was a tiger print on a fine feeling cotton.

Try sewing a couple of practice seams with various fabrics and various colors of thread. . I think I would match the thread to the background because it looks like there is a lot of it.

I don't much like to change threads or wind bobbins. Takes only seconds to do either one, but I still don't like ot.

For multi-color stuff, I use a color called "smoke" - or a light olivy greed.

The smoke looks like the color of the easter-egg-dye after it's gotten all muddied up.

i use many non-cotton threads on my quilts and never had an issue but as i say - 99% of my work is art quilts.

I love it. Works great for piecing and quilting. And the price is good too.

You know... I thought of that but I have to have the thread before I go to class tonite and I was afraid they would try roping me into buying the expensive thread in the store....you know... their "recommendations". I wanted to have some basis of knowledge before I head in there.

Thank you everyone for your responses. :)

I agree with any of the neutral threads, maybe a cream or beige if you are making the quilt in an ecru or beige.

I have been using Connecting Threads for years and love it, low fuzz, 100% cotton Egyptian long staple...really inexpensive compared to other big name threads. Recently bought a couple of their 5000yd cones that only cost $7.99 ...oh my gosh how can you beat that? Use the coupon code FPSHIP to get free shipping.

For the bobbin I highly recommend Superior Threads Bottom Line ... You can get it at a great price at Sewthankful.com it is cheaper there than from Superior threads. I have found that any of the lighter colored Bottom Line will work with light quilt backs and a darker thread will work for any dark fabrics.

Also, if you have any questions on threads, what kind to use cotton vs poly etc. Superior Threads has a great educational page.

Have a great time in your class and please post pix when you get your quilt going, we love photos.

warm quilt hugs, sue

My favorite thread is Aurafil. It's hard to lay out $10 for a spool but they last forever!!! It is also not the easiest item to find and when I do, there are limited colors available. But I can find grey, cream and white quite easily. For piecing I use grey primarily but with lighter fabrics, I use cream and white. If I'm sewing on a border of something like solid black or red, I do try to match the color as it seems to be more evident in borders than in piecing.

Some great Aurifil thread prices here....looks like lots of colors too

http://www.carmenwarehouse.com/shop/...ction=0&page=1

I have never used it, I hear lots of people love it.

They have so many weights available, and that is when I get stumped on which of the Aurifil threads to purchase... too many choices, LOL

Hope these prices are better than what you normally pay

warm quilt hugs, sue

I felt the same way when I first started. Most quilters in my sewing group insist that you should only use cotton thread for cotton quilts. I have been using poly thread but you do have to be careful and wind slowly on your bobbin because it stretches and will leave puckers. To pick colors, i lay several possibilities out on my fabric to see how it blends. I even sew with different ones on my scrap pieces to see the result.

I agree with Klue. I rarely used white (even when I'm sewing on white. I use a neutral (ivory, cream, gray, etc.) It's a good way to use up those bobbins. Then when they're empty, I reload with the neutrals. I also use colors that blend into the prints. Actually the only time I'm particular about matching thread is for machine quilting.

HMM, I didn't know about the stretching of the poly thread. So that's why it puckers. Thanks.

If you HAVE to buy thread - I use a grey or beige neutral. BUT if you are doing a scrap, or one that has lots of colors and it's hard to identify a specific color - it's a great chance to use ANY color that would suit. Use one color on top and another in the bobbin. I prefer to sew with a slightly smaller stitch - 2.0 on my Pfaff, so unless I actually force the seam open to see the threads, I can use almost any color. Great way to use up ends of spools - and buy new thread. My favorites are Aurifil 50 wt. Superior Threads So Fine and Masterpiece by Alex Anderson.

Hi Gail, Louise Cutting had a shop for several years here in Orlando. I often took classes from her. I was talking about the seams puckering on my slacks and no amount of pressing could get them out. then came the poly info. No matter what your age, (I'm 81), you're never too old to learn. She said that the new machines which I have, wind so fast and poly stretches.

Sounds more like a tension problem with the machine that could be adjusted, or perhaps you might be stretching the fabric as you sew it, and when you release it, the stitches pucker. I have a new machine and have had no problem with polyester threads - unless you get those really cheap ones - a few for a dollar or whatever.

Well, I'm almost 69 and have a degree in Home Economics. Don't remember ever being told that little bit of info. (Of course, at that time my head was "in the clouds" most of the time.) Good to know. I was always trying to adjust my tension. You're right about those puckery seams.

Hi quiltmom. No, It's not a tension problem. When we went to the sewing expo last Feb. I ask several thread people there about it. They all agreed that with the speed of the new (especially computer) machines, that can be a problem. They talked about revolutions etc. which kinda went over my head but I got the general idea.

I'm like you, Gail. Back then, the machines were slower. I have no stretch problem on my trusty Featherweight cause it is SOOO much slower.

I was always told......cotton on cotton on cotton. That means cotton fabric, cotton thread and cotton batting (like Quilters Dream Cotton Batting). I always use a neutral threads also - beige for lights and greys for darker tones for. I prefer Mettler products and also YLI 100% Cotton Long Staple Thread, 40/2 ply. I get a lot of my YLI from Red Rock Threads on line.

American thread is not made as well because it has short fibers in the thread and can break easily. European threads are better and stronger because the fibers are longer. I've been quilting since '96 and was taught all of this and firmly believe this information. These are for piecing. For quilting the tops I go crazy and use Mettler Polysheen because it is strong and the threads won't snap (unlike rayon).