I'm going to try machine applique and was wondering if I could use regular sewing machine thread or do I need to use embroidery thread? Any tips would be appreciated.

I use regular sewing thread.

I use whatever thread I think will look best.

I use both, it depends on how much I want the stitching to show up :D:D:D

I haven't tried because it's very expensive but I heard that silk almost dissappears, I do use it for hand applique and love it

Me too.

The one I use the most is Invisable thread in either the clear or smoke color.

It depends on what type of applique I'm doing and if I want the stitching to show or not.

If I'm doing a decorative stitch like blanket stitch, I'll use a heavier cotton thread so it shows up more. For a satin stitch, I want the threads to lie nicely next to one another, so then I might use a shiny polyester like Isacord.

If I'm doing the invisible applique using a blind hem stitch, I may use a finer polyester like Sew Fine or Bottom Line, or if I don't want to change thread colors then a clear polyester thread like Monopoly.

Not a very definitive answer, was it??? LOL

No police here. I use whatever looks good and doesn't breAk. Regular thread, maxi lock, embroidery thread. Some have even used a needle with a huge eye and a couple strands of floss (not myself but I've seen and heard of it)

I have used both Embroidery and regular. It is cheaper to use regular and I don't have to set up my thread differently.

I use silk for hand applique and regular threads that match in color the background fabris, for machine applique.

I use Guttermanns Hand Quilting Thread to do a blanket or buttonhole stitch. If I am doing a satin stitch I use Sulky or Medera Rayon or Isofil.

I haven't machine appliqued in awhile but I always used regular thread and it worked fine.

I too use either Embroidery or regular. My driving factor is if it is a blanket stitch I use the regular - but if i am using a satin stitch then I use the embroidery thread.

Regular cotton thread works fine in my machine, and I have also had good luck with rayon. It has a nice shiny look. Use whatever works and looks good!

If I'm doing a blanket stitch and I want it to look "hand done" I use Sulky 12 wt black cotton thread and use my heirloom stitch menu on my machine and it will look like you did it by hand with embroidery floss. The blanket stitch on the heirloom menu on my machine goes over every stitch twice. I have a Viking Diamond but I'm sure all the newer machines have a stitch like this.

No, it's not a definitive answer, but a good one. That's pretty much how I do it also.

I use "regular" weight thread for very small tight areas, but 99.9% of the time I use Mettler 30 weight (it has orange writing around the top). My industrial machines do a very tight satin stitch and it also helps make the heavy weight stiffener on the back fall off easily.

if you use invisible thread what do you use in your bobbin, the same?

I like Essentials from Connecting Threads and Marathon thread that I get at AQS vendors at their shows. Marathon also has a rayon thread.

When doing applique onthe machine I use regular thread in the top needle & serger thread in the bobbin.

Katlady is serger thread more like bobbin thread in weight.

me too

When I was a child I always outlined the pictures I colored in my coloring books. It has pretty well carried over to my machine applique. Therefore, any thread that accents what I have made works for me. Sometimes it's a different color to look like an outline, other times it's one to blend.

Yes, you may use regular sewing thread. I did it for years. I would suggest that you use some sort of a stabilizar on the under side of the block, garment, etc. that you are putting the applique on. It will reduce the chances of the satin stitch "tunneling" or pulling together. It also works the same with blanket stitch, although it isn't as necessary. It depends on how wide you make the stitch in either case.
Happy a good time with the applique. It's lots of fun. :-D

I use only Isacord, a bit more expensive than the regular JoAnns' brand however, it is worth the price. It is a good thread does not break eaisly and is a heavery gage than Coats, but most iportant if you do a lot of embroidering you will notice that it does not cause lint that can build up in your embroidery unit.

Well said - this is what I like to do but didn't think about the fact that that is how I colored as a child :lol:

I usually use embroidery thread. But I have used regular threa also.

I also use regular sewing thread. I use the same color for the bobbin as for the top, because I don't have all day to fuss with the tension. The top usually looks great, and the bottom, well, not quite so great. Just in case some of the bobbin thread decides to show through, at least it's the same color.
Mine is just a basic machine, not a fancy embroidery machine. If I spent the money on a fancy machine, I would invest more time in perfect applique.

I have a lot of poly cotton thread and once I use it up I am going to go to cotton.

Interesting observation. I thought back to how I colored, and I never outlined, I often colored outside the lines, but I never used the "proper" colors on what I was coloring (ie: you'd see a patchwork colored teddy bear and not a brown one). As an adult, I am drawn to abstract paintings, impressionist art, and anything colorful. Yep, you hit that nail on the head!

Oh, and thank you to everyone here on which thread(s) to use...apparently it's "anything goes" and that totally works for me!