Ok i have a newbie question. What type of thread (top) do you use to FMQ. A employee from Joann told me to use Serger thread. A lady at my LQS said don't use serger thread to use either cotton thread, embroidery thread or 50 weight thread...I am confused. Because when i bought my Viking machine, i was told to use embroidery thread only for embroidery.

I think it depends on what the quilt is going to be used for, some threads lend themselves better to wall hangings. You can use cotton, polyester, metallics, monofilament. It is pretty much up to personal preferences. Try different brands out to see what you like. They have so many Sulky, Isacord, King tut are a few I can name off the top of my head

Nothing like people who can't agree...

I use whatever works. I have used embroidery thread as well as serger thread with no problems.

I have metallic thread...I haven't used it yet. It kind of scares me lol. Right now i am using serger thread right now and it keeps breaking. I am just starting out on FMQ so i will try your suggestions =)

I use sulky or gutterman...but I make use to use the same on the bobbin

I like King Tut from Superior Threads. I have used Serger thread in a pinch, make sure there is plenty of slack for the thread as it comes from the cone holder . Sometimes putting it a bit of a distance helps. You may also want to adjust your tension.
Embrodery thread is not a great quilting thread as it is intended for decoration and not for strenght.

My Viking loves Aurifil, Wonderfil, Gutterman, YLI for quilting. I use Aurifil more than anything else.

Whatever your machine likes! Make yourself a practice sandwich and write one it what you use so you can compare a few.

I use Robinson Anton 50 wt that came with my 6600P sewing machine. It plays nicely when I FMQ. I am a newbie at FMQ and I had this thread on hand. The all purpose Coats & Clark from Wal Mart does NOT FMQ nicely on my machine.

I listened to the advice of Leah Day and bought Isacord. Wow..it really does quilt very nicely. I also use YLI with great success.

I read a horror story once where a lady used a cone type serger thread to piece her quilt and when she ironed it, the whole thing fell apart. Aparently the thread was Nylon. Since then I have stayed clear of all things serger.

I often use the same weight cotton thread for piecing and for quilting. Most of mine is from Connecting Threads. But I also use Star thread - the variegated (from Coats and Clark) with great results, and I have assorted others.

You know you can get just as crazy about buying thread as you can fabric - whod'a thunk it.

I use King Tut for all quilting and guterman for piecing.

Now, to each her own, but I personally wouldn't use serger thread. It's not as strong. My time is more valuable then the fabric, thread, batting, etc. I can't afford to spend my time and energy working with materials that might not hold up. Other quilters might find that something else works for them, and make different choices. I like Aurifil cotton mako, 50 wt for piecing, 12-40 wt for quilting, although anything goes. I also like Masterpiece by Superior for piecing, and their Perfect Quilter or King Tut for quilting.

Google Leah Day. You will love her site and all her free FMQ patterns. You can e-mail her with questions, and she will write back the same day. She has been so good to me. She also knows how to fix your darning foot. So it works a hundred per cent better. Give her a try. You will be so glad you did.

Don't put a large amount of weight on anything a Joanne'e employee tells you! Just because they work there, doesn't mean they know anything about quilting etc.

I will. I fixed the daring foot. Called the guy that i bought the machine from and he said any high shank foot would work..so i went to the LQS, the same that told me to use the embroidery thread to buy the foot..

My machine isn't fussy at all, so I use all kinds of threads. I heard a lecture from a lady who works for YSL threads and she said, just use what you like, if it works in your machine.

Opinions are like ... quilts. Everyones is different.

Different threads have different qualities and will suit varied needs as well as machines and fabric.

The best advice I can offer is to make a sample sandwich of the same material and check out the different thread to see how it performs as well as how it looks. It is not uncommon to use diferent colors, weights, and types of thread on the same quilt.

EXPERIMENT .. On samples!!!!

Thank you everyone for all the advice! yall are the best.

to use serger thread is not good advice. It is thin and breaks easily as it is not as strong as other thread.
It is made for serging and not some other work.

I found with my Viking that it likes certain threads better than others. It does better with Isacord and Kingtut than others. I also do something that is supposedly a big no, no. I have to fmq with my feed dogs in the up position. It just does better.

I just finished FMQing three quilts on (two on my Viking and one on my Pfaff) and used Essential Pro, the new poly thread from Connecting Threads. Loved it!! Did not break once, almost no lint from the thread, and a nice, smooth matte finish makes it look like cotton. Bought a couple of cones to try because of the price. I will get a couple more. And, I put it on my wish list as a stocking stuffer for Christmas.

Best advice ever, I always make a practise sandwich and test out different threads, especially when I get a new machine, I don't mean NEW new machine just another one, oh you know what I mean I am sure.

My Singer Capri prefers Sylko so I have to buy that on EBay, my Elna 7200 will use anything and the others are not too fussy either. I have started using the Superior "Bottom line" thread and if you go to their site: http://www.superiorthreads.com/ you will find an enormous amount of really good information.

I would not use serger thread! I use a 16 needle to fmq, and the serger thread needs a 14 needle (at least in my experience). When I was a newbie, I tried the serger thread and found that it broke all the time. I use the thread from Connecting Threads - in the bobbin and on top. Works wonderful; no breaking or skipping.

Superior Threads King Tut is very nice to work with. There's not much lint and breakage is minimal.

i use the superior thread 50 wt. they recommend that with my 6600p that i fmq with.

I'm crazy about thread!

I use serger thread, machine quilt and regular cotton thread. Try different kinds to see which one you prefer.

Definitely go to the superior threads site. Look under the education tab. That said, what kind of thread you use depends on the effect you want on your quilt. Embroidery thread is usually shiny and is great for hightlighting areas on a quilt -- eyes, sun, flowers. The heavy weight threads will show and are great if this is what you want. If this is your first attempt, you might want to use a 50 or 60 weight. These ligher weights will blend into the background and all your learning "mistakes" don't show up so much. As stated above, use a quilt sandwich with your actual quilt fabric and batting, and have fun trying out different threads until you find the one that gives you the effect you want.

I agree with Katier825, my Viking only likes certain threads. The ones I use the most are Aurifil and YLI.

How interesting--I've used cones (serger thread), the cheap stuff, for years and have had no problems. I use more expensive threads for FMQ--usually Gutterman because that is what I happen to have on hand.

Excellent advise! It is so worth a little time and effort to experiment first. You will know what works for you and your machine!

I'm not a professional at all but my experience with Sulky on my long arm was nothing but negative. It kept breaking. Went to my serger thread and had no problem.

I use Isacord Embroidery thread, I have done about 20 quilts and it seems to be great, but I am a newbies too.

You can use anything that looks good on your quilt. It depends on how much you want it to show. If you don't want it to show, but sink into the fabric, go with a 50 or 60 wt. thread. If you want it to show more, go with a heavier one. I have used all the different kinds that everyone has been talking about. I even have used serger thread, with no problems. Even after the quilt is done.
I prefer to use one thread in the top and Bottom Line in the bobbin. I have even used Bottom Line in both the top and bobbin.
If you are just starting out, I would say to start with a finer thread and then move on to others.
Like someone else said, try different threads on a couple of quilt sandwiches. Mark on them what they are. When you see something you like - go for it.
Good luck! Oh, one more thing, be sure to practice on the sandwiches first, before you do your quilt. Relax and enjoy the learning process.

There was a string a few weeks ago about fmq with the feet up. I read many quilters did that. I tried it yesterday and like it. I do feel it helps keep the stitches more consistent. I like Superior Thread so King Tut is my most used for quilting. I am using Aurafil for the first time because it was the perfect color. I like it too.

I also use the cotton thread from Connecting thread, I love colors in my quilt. Remember cotton thread does make the need for cleaning around the bobbin important. I clean after every major project.

I think it is up to you and the results you want. I have quilted with cotton, poly, rayon, invisible monofilament, metallic. I've used different weight also depending on the results I wanted. I learned with cotton and then branched out.

I clean my bobbin area with each and every bobbin change.

I used Sulky Polylite and it works like a dream, plus the sheen makes the quilting "dance."