I don't know what I don't know
My sewing machine wouldn't use 40 wt. thread. It kept breaking after 10 seconds. Time after time. I had to change to 50 wt. cones. I wrote about it here. I wrote about it on the Bernina board. It went on for 2 1/2 years. I kept asking about it and complaining about my machine for 2 1/2 years. I quit using spools and used only 50 wt. cones.
Yesterday I took my machine to my dealer because it was clacking and the screen said to take it to the dealer. Well, I had not used it in 3 weeks! I told him, "Watch, it will work fine for you." He plugged it in and it worked fine for him. Why do things do that? I told him about the thread. He asked what size needle I had in. I said 80. He said "no, no. You need 100 for 40 wt." He put in a 100 needle and put in some 40 wt. thread and it SEWED on my machine like nobody's business!! It was because I was using the wrong size needle and I never knew that! Boy, do I feel like a dummy! I've been on this board a long time, but I don't recall reading about the bigger needle for the smaller wt. thread. I'm sure it's been written, but I must have overlooked it! Anyway, today I am setting up my trusty machine and starting on Jenny Doan's Big Block Star Quilt. I am making 2 King quilts. I ordered 4 of her layer cakes she used in her YouTube video. And I bought 3 yards of cream for the background. I have been ready to go forever!!! I'm sure everyone else knew about putting a bigger needle (100) in a smaller wt (40) thread. But, in case you don't, know you do, just like me. It has changed my life!!!! Truly! |
the lower the thread number the thicker the thread... thus a larger-eyed needle is needed
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here is some good information from Superior Threads
https://www.superiorthreads.com/educ...ad-is-measured |
..."It was because I was using the wrong size needle and I never knew that! Boy, do I feel like a dummy! I've been on this board a long time, but I don't recall reading about the bigger needle for the smaller wt. thread. I'm sure it's been written, but I must have overlooked it!"...
Thread weights go in reverse order, so the 40 weight is actually thicker than the 50, so bigger thread, bigger needle. |
Just curious - are you using a 40 wt thread to piece? If so - why, you do not need a thread that thick for piecing. It is great for doing work on top that will show - buttonhole stitch, decorative stitch, et. I think the standard for piecing is 50 wt.
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Originally Posted by quiltstringz
(Post 5715377)
Just curious - are you using a 40 wt thread to piece? If so - why, you do not need a thread that thick for piecing. It is great for doing work on top that will show - buttonhole stitch, decorative stitch, et. I think the standard for piecing is 50 wt.
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I didn't know that, or the wt of sewing thread , thanks for the info.
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I like using a 50 wt. thread for piecing, but a 40 wt. for appliqueing. And when I very seldom do bindings by machine. And I'm thinking, just thinking about machine quilting some small quilts, just checking to see if I can even do it and even like it. I see in magazines how customized their quilts are and I would like to be able to do that. I have BSR on my machine, so I am set up for machine quilting and need some confidence and practice.
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Originally Posted by Milli
(Post 5715394)
I didn't know that, or the wt of sewing thread , thanks for the info.
Ditto! :thumbup: |
Thank you for the great info.
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