Q regarding variegated thread
 

Hi, I am brand new to quilting and have a question about variegated thread.
Do I use it in my bobbin as well?

Don't want to screw up my first project!

Thanks in advance,

Renate

Do you want to see the color changing on the bottom as well as the top? If you do then yes you should use the same thread. Some don't want their stitches seen so well, might take away from a design on the backing fabric, if that is case I would use thread that matches the back or a grey.

Personally, I like to see the color changes and to show off my stitches so I almost always match bobbin to top.

Whatever you put in the bobbin is what is going to be seen from the back. Does that make sense.

I am sure you quilt will be beautiful with whichever thread you choose

I agree with Plumtree. Personally I love varigated thread and if you choose wisely it blends well and you just see the motifs with a little of the color.

Varigated thread can really add visual depth to the quilting. I typically use it in both bobbin and top , but some varigated thread is quite thick/heavy . Signature has a line of varigated that is a 20 weight( the thickest/heaviest i have seen) ... and I pair that up with a fine bobbin thread, and use a larger needle.
Be sure to to a bit of testing on a scrap quilt sandwich to make sure you are getting the results you want before you start on the quilt. Needle size , tensions, and bobbin thread all play into the quilting results.

Very interesting - I don't care much for varigated thread unless the quilt is predominately one color. It seems like all the darker shade ends up where lines converg and then my eye goes to that spot rather than the overall design. Just my opinion.

I used variegated thread in shades of red and pink against a black backing, in both the bobbin and the top thread, and it looks sooooo good! I'm really happy with it!

I like varigated threads for FMQ. I just did a Christmas quilt and found a red, green & white one. It worked perfectly. I used it in the bobbin also. It is a Signature thread but it is 40 wt so it is not as thick as the Signature thread that Lori S mentioned.

When I make my Quilts of Valor, I usually always use my red/white/blue varigated thread.....I think it all depends on the quilt pattern and the fabric used. Because this thread can sometimes be a little expensive, I always use a simple thread that matches my backing color so it kinda disappears....

I like to use the varigated thread in the bobbin for crib quilts if the back is a solid color

Depending on the color(s) of the back of the quilt I sometimes use a solid color thread for the bobbin, and sometimes use the same variegated thread as the top of quilt...either way looks good.

Great idea!!!!!!!!!!

I use variegated thread in the bobbin all the time. It just depends on the backing. If my backing has multiple colors variegated thread blends better. Two tone and solid fabric I'll generally use solid matching color thread....

I have to admit the thread color just hits me while I am working on my project. I may have to audition several shades, but I generally just know what I want to use.

Good luck on your project and post pics when you get it done!

I love using Variegated thread. On top, in the bobbin: It's great!

You can but you don't have to. I often match the bobbin color to the backing color and use variegated on the top.

What a wonderful response! Thank you all, I have finally figured it out. What a great group!

I had a quilt professionally done with variegated thread. Top and bottom. Looked absolutely gorgeous. It gave the backside a design also. I love the variegated thread. I also use variegated embroidery thread or perle cotton thread for hand tying. Edie

If I use varigated thread on the top, I also use it in the bobbin. That way, there is no problem with one of my threads being heavier than the other. Plus, I really like the way it looks!

I think it looks pretty, esp. on a darker colored quilt.

Sulky Blendables come in 12 wt along with their usual 30 wt. I love heavy weight threads for machine quilting and also for hand stitched accents over a finer machine quilting. :)

I like to use a varigated thread on top, but on the bottom, I like to use Bottom Line. It is really thin and disappears into the back. I also like to use busy backing fabric. I guess I figure that the thread on the top is the one that I want to show off. Also, the varigated threads are expensive, why use them on the back?

My sewing machine does not like varigated thread. I have tons of it and can't use it. I should give it to my LAer. But my machine is so very picky when it comes to thread. It only likes Gutermann cones.

I have always liked multi colors so variegated thread is great. I don't use it all over, or all the time, but do use it as as accent. I hand quilt, and with all the work, I want my stitches to show sometimes. Although right now I am quilting one that I'm using #12 needles to give me small stitches and matching thread for each section, so none of the stitches will show. I think it just depends on the look you want.

If you have a plain back it would be best , as a beginner, to try to put the bobbin colour as one that will blend with the colours of the back. Try to get the same brand and weight as the varigated one.

perhaps you could try out what you want to do on a small piece of fabric - top, bottom and batting. it will give you an idea about how the project would look. then you can decide.

I love that type of thread, I only use it for the top and find that with my machine I need a huge needle - Singer 110 and a very fine bobbin thread. If I had known these two facts I would most likely still be sewing on a my Elna and not have had thought at needed a new and fancier Viking. Oh well :). Good luck.

I love the look a variegated thread gived to a quilt so I use variegated all the time for the top or the bottom or for both. It depends upon what the quilt tells me would look best and the fabrics that have been used in the quilt. I have one that needs to be sandwiched and quilted that will not have variegated on the bottom, I think, unless DD asks for it because the bottom is a solid color. However, that doesn't stop me from using variegated thread either.
Chris

I do the same with my Quilts of Valor. I love using varigated threads on my other quilts too.

I use variegated thread most of the time. For items that will show in back-I use it in the bobbin. Otherwise I use bobbin thread and variegated on spool.

I am using variegated thread on a blue, green and purple batik quilt. The color of the thread are in blues from dark to light. I'm using the same in the bobin as the backing is blue. So far, it's looking awesome! Two more rows to quilt and then the borders. I'll post pictures when I'm done, but FMQ quilting kills my arm, MS in right arm prevents me from doing a lot in one day - pushing and pulling a queen size gives the shoulders a work out. I'm using 50 weight in both top and bottom - makes it easier to adjust the tension.

When it comes down to it, it's your quilt and use/do what you like. Also, I like to hang the quilt and take a couple of steps backwards. Putting a couple of feet between you and the quilt will give you a different perspective than standing over top of it.

I have never seen a quilt that I didn't appreciate the creators artistic abilities! The amount of blood, sweat, and tears that we quilters pour into our craft allows us to grow a artist.

I have seen quilts made by my long-armer and she has used variegated thread top and bottom to very good effect. I'm anxious to see the wall hanging she is doing for me! She does very nice work,

I only use it for the top of the quilt - it is heavier thread as mentioned and my machine doesn't like it in the bobbin and it is expensive also. I love how it makes some quilts pop!

Just be aware when choosing variegated thread if it matches some of the fabric in the quilt your quilting will seem to "disappear" in those areas.

I made an Oakland Raiders quilt for my daughter's friend on his 30th birthday and used the variegated thread which was white to gray to black on the front and the back. The back was gray flannel so really helped give it personality.

You were right that the variegated thread being so expensive, I was shocked at the cost at my LQS and haven't bought thread there since.

I'm guessing you are talking about the actual quilting part and not the piecing together. In the beginning this can be confusing to some. What matters is first if you want that look on both top and bottom, 2nd if you have any tension problems where the top thread shows up on the bottom and vice versa if it shows up on top, then using it in bobbin as well will make it blend so you don't see those issues. The other thing is that if you don't want to use it in bobbin (sometimes it cost more) then make sure bobbin thread is the same type as the needle thread, cotton, polyester, etc. I love using Aurifil and they also have pretty varigated threads that are low lint and hold up well to quilting. Good luck