Problem
 

I hope someone can help me. I recently bought a Brother CS 6000 machine. The first thread I tried using was a 100% Glased Cotton Quilting thread. I could never get the stitches looking right. I tried to adjusted the tension but it didn't work. I thought it might be because it was a cheap glased cotton. I bought some good Coats & Clark cotton machine quilting thread but I got the same results. I figured that I could always use this thread for hand quilting. Then, I put on some old thread that I've had for years and that worked perfectly. I didn't need to adjust anything. What is the best thread to use for machine quilting?

Karen

Glazed cotton threads are never to be used in a machine. They're for hand quilting only. I use Mettler, Aurifil, Prescencia, King Tut, Superior, and Wonderfil for machine quilting. I don't even have a spool of C&C.

There is nothing wrong with using C & C thread. Just be sure that it is not the hand quilting thread or the cones made for sergers (although I think others have used them with no problem.)

I don't know whAt you bought the second time. There are different kinds at Joanns and you just want XP. I use good ol C & C all the time for piecing and quilting. I try others when I want a particular color for quilting. Whatever you can afford is fine.

I have heard that different machines like different thread. I would play around with a few brands and listen to your machine. Mine likes Sulky for machine quilting.

"Quilting Thread" on a thread spool - usually a heavier/thicker thread used for hand quilting.

Check your manual - it may tell you what threads go with what needle sizes.

It's true that some machines like certain kinds of thread better than others. Something else to consider is that the type and size needle in your machine can affect how well it handles different threads. Most threads I machine quilt with do well with topstitch needles in size 80 or 90.

It's a good idea to test the thread you want to use on a practice piece of the same fabrics and batting your quilt is made of. That way you can try different needles, tension, etc. til you get it just right without having to take unsatisfactory stitches out of your quilt.

Gutterman, coats and Clark's should work in your brother. I have used both in all my brothers since I started 13 years ago. I also have used mettler, connecting threads, sulky,and Madeira. Glazed cotton should not be used of any brand. I'm not sure you might want to ask if you have to have it cleaned I don.t know if the glaze can cause problems in your tension discs. I did that in the beginning and mine was fine after servicing but that was so long agoim not sure what I did to get my tension back to normal

I also have a Brother NX600. It hates Coats & Clark thread but loves those cheapy serger cones. Just tried a good quality thread & had nothing but problems. Got really tiny stitches & wouldn't sew over nesting seams. Just re-threaded with the serger cone & she sews great again. Just try different threads till you find one that works for you.

Both of my Brother machines will sew with anything except hand quilting thread and beading thread. (That was not my brightest idea!) One of the many things I love about my Brother machines is they seem to take it all in stride. Cheap thread, fuzzy fabric, silk, miners bibs with high visibility tape -- they just keep sewing away!

All of my Brother machines are not fussy about thread. I use lots of coats &clark. But not the glacé. That is for hand quilting.