I have noticed that the hand quilting thread that I purchase is not as heavy as the thread that my mother used when I was a child. The hand quilting thread that I find is just as thin as the regular sewing thread. I usually purchase my thread from Hancock fabric or Joann fabric. Is there a better place to purchase hand quilting thread that is heavier with lots of color selections? Remember ladies I am talking about HAND QUILTING thread NOT machine quilting thread.

Charlene, Hand quilting thread has it printed on the label.
It's definitely not the same as sewing thread.
I get it all over, Joann's, LQS, etc.
Joann's has different colors too.

Yes, definitely ask at your LQS or Joanne's (if you have a good one). The feel should be very different.

Yes, I know HAND QUILTING is printed on the label. That is what I am buying. I just do not remember it being this thin years ago. I am buying the HAND QUILTING thread.

Hmmmm,,,,, well I don't know how thread was years ago b/c nobody in my family quilted but the thread I buy is thicker than regular.
Sorry this isn't the help you needed :(

I buy the Americana brand at JoAnn's and I really like it. The Coats and Clark does not work as well. The Americana brand is like $1 per spool. I buy the bees wax too and run my thread through that before hand quilting.

In the years that I was hand quilting my avatar quilt (took me 6 yrs.) the coats and clark thread became thinner. An Amish quilter friend of mine who does a lot of hand quilting noticed the same thing. I don't remember what brand I bought next.

Gutterman hand quilting thread is one of the best. Maybe it would be closer to what you remember. It is 40wt (regular machine sewing thread is typically 50wt which is finer) and glazed. Here is a website showing the colors (scroll to see all of the colors):
http://www.redrockthreads.com/guterm...d-quilting.asp

I am using YLI Hand Quilting thread. I really like it. Hand quilting thread almost appears wire-y. That is good as it is strong and wont knot up as much if any. I love the YLI brand. Good luck.

I use and recommend the Americana thread .99 A SPOOL at JoAnn) Limited colors but very good quality.
I then run it thru Tacky Finger (or some other finger moistioner) the stuff they count money or papers with). Keeps it better control (no tangles) then bees wax or the other stuff.

Thank you for this comment to prove my point. I knew I was not going crazy and that I was reading the labels correctly on the spools. I have found Coats and Clarks heavy duty hand quilting thread. However, I can only find it in white.

Can you get YLI thread anywhere other than ordering online?

I use the hand quilting thread from Joann's called Americana. But when you look for it, it won't be on the regular thread rack with Coats and Clark and Gutterman. They (Joann's) have it in bins and I find a good colof selection too. Also, it is glazed.

thank you for posting this topic, I am using coats and clark hand quilting thread to hand sew my bindings and was wondering what other threads I might use...thanks yetta.

My local quilt shop carries YLI.

I have several of my grandmothers quilts and the thread used on hers are thick too. I have read somewhere (I will try to find it) that you use perle cotton which comes in different sizes.
Ok...here is one link to the bigger thread: http://finnleah.blogspot.com/2006/09...titchings.html

Here is a link to thicker Aurifil thread for hand quilting... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mj6rX0NV3Pw

I inherited a box of white hand quilting thread that was my aunts it is Lily brand and you are right it does look a little heavier. I have already used several spools and altho is is old is is still very strong. It also has a stiffer feel to it I think it is coated to not tangle. I have bought other kinds and do not like them as well.

I use Gutterman's. It is a heavier thread than regular sewing thread.

[quote=Renee110I have read somewhere (I will try to find it) that you use perle cotton which comes in different sizes. [/quote]

I handquilt in a slightly larger stitch, with a larger needle, with #10wt. crochet thread all the time. My quilts go into shows, are done for commissions and receive wonderful comments frequently.

When I use "regular" handquilting thread, it's YLI, Mettler 40 wt. (which I wax with beeswax), or Premium Sulky 100% Cotton 12 wt. which I buy online.

Jan in VA

So can you purchase this thread in a quilt shop?

Perle cotton 8 at Joannes
crochet thread 10 wt. at Walmart
YLI and Sulky 100% cotton 12 wt. online

Yes you can purchase it at a quilt shop. Joann's also carries it. I prefer Gutterman's.

Thanks for all of your responses. I will look very closely at Joann's the next time I am in there.

i AM SORTING MY THREAD INTO THE DIFFERENT KINDS/USES. i HAVE PICKED UP A LOT OF THE AMERICANA QUILTING THREAD BECAUSE I LOVE IT FOR HAND QUILTING AND HAND SEWING. i HAPPENED TO GET ON AN AUSTRAILIAN WEB SITE AND THEY WERE SELLING IT FOR .99 A SPOOL! GRAB ALL YOU CAN AT jOANNS AS IT IS ONLY 99 CENTS! i ALSO LIKE TO USE GUTTERMANS BUT BE SURE YOU GET THE HAND QUILTING . THAT ISWHY I AM SORTINGMY THREADS INTO THOSE FOR SEWING BY HAND AND THOSE FOR THEMACHINE. oN THAT NOTE, FOR MACHINE i REALLY LIKE THAT AURAFIL(SP?) BECAUSE IT DOESN'T LEAVE SO MUCH LINT IN MY MACHINE!