I am looking for a good thread to us for my Applique'. I have been using Sulky silk but I am finding it hard to work with and it seems to show on my pieces. Any help with my problem would be great. :lol:

Are you talking about hand applique? I use 60 wt Metler's cotton machine embroidery thread.

I use any silk thread that matches the applique piece (not the background) and I've gotten pretty good. It takes a little practice on the stiching to make it less and less visible.

Bottom line worls well for me, I buy the pre wound bobins

Bottom line worls well for me, I buy the pre wound bobins

Yes hand Applique' I have been using Sulky and I don't like the finish I get from it. I have a few Mettler 50wt maybe I will try this. Thanks for your help. :)

I use DMC cotton embroidery floss, have for over 30 years. I can match my color closely, it's washable, and goes a long way. (One strand) I find it doesn't knot, glides smoothly through the fabric.

Only suggestion is to prewash the dark colors, they can bleed. I usually soak the whole hank in the sink with a little soap, rinse and let dry.

medots, does bottom line have a variety of colors?

yes, and also available is the bobbin holder with all different colors of Masterpiece thread from Superior Threads. I love the Kimo (sp:) silk, just disappears into the fabric.
Aurfil is good also, on the expense side, I used it before discovering the silk thread. Had 2 friends we would buy the collections and wind bobbins and split the cost.

50 wt is a little to thick to hide your stitches nicely.

DMC silk.

TIRE silk thread, 100 wt.

It just melts in and disappears. Hides a multitude of stitching errors. ;-)

Aurifil.

YLI silk for needle turn.

I use 60 wt Mettler and the frosted donut which is Superior Masterpiece thread in 36 different colors, very fine nice thread.

Yep, the 100wt.

I'm using Bottom Line by Superior Threads - You can buy bobbin assortments of the different colors, but I mostly use a light and medium grey and a light and medium taupe - those four colors almost disappear in nearly all the fabrics I'm using in one quilt top.

The other quilt top I'm doing is a little more exacting, and I'm using a rose pink, a brick red, a leaf green and a hunter green for those pieces. They're invisible.

I had tried Masterpiece, Mettler, YLI 100 silk, clear nylon and smoke nylon - if they weren't invisible, they shredded or snarled easily or kept falling out of the needle. The Bottom Line threads handle a lot easier.

If you're already using a very fine matching thread, maybe you're just not bringing your needle up close enough to the fold? I don't know how experienced you are, so I just mention that as a possibility. I wasn't doing that at first, either and the stitches were showing more than I wanted them to. I think it just takes practice.

I asked the ladies at the quilt store if they thought I was doing okay with the stitch size and the owner laughed and said, "Okay!? They're microscopic, are you kidding!?" That made me happy because, not knowing what I'm doing, I was afraid I was stitching too big. So maybe you just need to catch a couple fewer threads when you come back up to the top?

Good luck - hope it's lots of fun for you! :)

I use YLI silk thread, but it's very much a personal choice. You probably want to try several types of thread until you find out what you like, and even then it may change with each project.

For hand applique - YLI 100 silk to match the applique pieces. The YLI 50 is too heavy. Once in awhile I will use a 60/2 ply. Still haven't tried Superior's thread.

I have only used Gutermann thread. I have very good result with it. I do make very tiny stitches. I would like to try silk thread sometime, as I have heard good things about it. My advice would be to match your thread to the piece you are appliquing down, not the background fabric. Make tiny stitches, using a milliners' or straw needle. Get as close to the fold as you possibly can. With just a little practice, you will be stitching like a pro!

This is what I use - very easy colour matching and haven't had any dye runs.

At a quilt show here in the UK recently, I discovered Wonderfil threads, a Canadian company, that has just started to distribute here. I bought a sample pack to try and am very impressed. They do Invisifil which is a gassed poly 100 wt - I've tried it as bobbin fill and for machine applique and it's great. Up until now I've been a Superior Threads girl but I may just change allegiance... they have all kinds of wonderful decorative threads too, in mouth watering colours - check them out, I'm sure they're available in the US... http://www.wonderfilonline.com/

Are you using a straw needle when you applique? I find I do a better job with a very fine needle, regardless of type of thread.

Huh. They are. Never heard of them before. Really, really nice selection.
I've got this massive machine applique project in front of me and I keep putting it off.
When you used the Invisafil in the bobbin, what were you using on top? A heavier weight cotton?

Did you match the bobbin color to the top color or use a neutral?
Although I see there isn't a huge color selection for that particular thread.

Thanks for the information.

I use YLI 100 wt thread in neutral colors. I use a sort of khaki color for most things, white on white fabric, and off white for everything else. I've been using Thread Heaven and haven't had trouble with it fraying or making knots since then. It's a little hard to get used to since sewing with it is like sewing with a strand of hair, but after the quilt is washed, the stitches are totally invisible. I've found it a little hard to find around here and I've asked the local quilt shop multiple times to stock it, but they won't. The other day I found a website that has big spools of it, roserushbrooke.com, and I was pleased with their service. Connecting Threads also has it.

Superior Kimono Silk thread - works beautifully.

Wow, great site! And I didn't now about the mini-cones. If it's good enough for Diane Guadynski, I'll certainly give it a shot.
Thanks for the information. :thumbup:

I use mettler 60wt.cotton thread for hand emb.variety of colors available.
I have tried Sulky silk thread don't care for it.

YLI silk is wonderful, but you do need to knot at the needle or it will slip out easily. I use a neutral and it doesn't show. Also, be sure to use very small stitches. Good luck

YLI silk: I just like working with it!

So far, I really like using 100 wt YLI silk thread. I have also used Superior Threads Frosted donut (good assortment of colors). Haven't tried their Kimono line yet.

I use YLI but my favorite is the Kimona Japanese brand but it is hard to find. Only a few shops carry it and it is no mor exspensive than YLI.

I use this most of the time plus orafil. I like orafil and you can get it at www.pacificrim.com with really cheap shipping.

Thanks for all the help. I have a box full of different brands and I haven't found anything yet that I like.I will try others that you all have suggested and see if I can find something I like. This board is great for information. Thanks all.:)

I used a neutral top and bottom, I am now using invisible thread and Invisafil in the bobbin (lasts for EVER!) and that works good too. I also used it to blind stitch by hand a binding on a wall hanging and my stitches are invisible - better than normal! LOL I have some of the variegated Tutti 50 wt to try in the FMQ on my current project - will report back. I never really liked King Tut - found it too heavy at 40 wt. I like Master PIece at 50 wt but there are no variagated so I'm keen to try this. Got to finish the applique first though! I got a sample pack for £10 (think that's about $13?) - 15 spools I think 400 yds per spool. I don't know if you can get this online or if it was just for the show. Here's a pic... :-D

This is a great post. I had no idea about what thread to use for applique. I have done very little of it, mostly just playing around with it. I do love hand stitching. Thanks for all the information.

I use YLI silk thread for hand applique. Colors don't have to match perfectly as the thread seems to disappear.

a staw needle. That is a new term for me. What do I look for and where do I look to find them?

I love using silk thread for hand applique!

A straw needle is also called a Milliner's needle. :)