Sunnye

I have read many articles on threads. But what I'm stuck on (among other issues) is the bobbin thread. Well, I guess maybe the top thread too!
I have read that, for instance, the Bottom Line is great for the bobbin when quilting and doing applique. But, I've also read that the top and bobbin thread should be the the same to avoid problems with tension. Shouldn't the top thread be a "heavier" cotton when quilting? I also want a thread that doesn't cause a lot of lint. Wouldn't that mean a polyester? Shouldn't a top quilting thread be cotton? Can you have the top cotton and the bottom polyester/thick cotton with fine polyester?
HELP please. I am totally confused. And I know that brands are a matter of taste, but any words of wisdom would be appreciated. I've asked the owner of one of my fabric stores on her choices, but get many variables on her answers.

Denise S

"Information Overload" - with today's technology we have access to do soooo much research! It drives me crazy sometimes. But, back to your question. I have recently been doing a bit of reading about thread. I recently read on Superior Threads website that you should piece with cotton thread to match the fibers of the fabric. And it is fine to to the quilting with polyester thread. I am sure you could find tons more on their website.

I have no experience with top thread, bottom thread, thicknessess, etc. But, with that said, I have been quilting for years and I have always used Coats and Clark Dual Duty thread for everything and have had no problems. I will be experimenting with new thread types...just for fun...or to make me crazy. Since discovering this board, I have been doing tons of research about a wide variety of topics. There are so many people here with a wealth of info. and I have learned a lot.

I think you will find conflicting information no matter who you ask. It is great to learn and be informed, but try not to let it paralyze you (that happens to me sometimes when I can't decide what advice to take!). Try to narrow it down, make you decision, and then start sewing!

I look forward to the responses in this topic.

Rosewood9

I wish I could help, but I'm just as confused as you. I will be watching this thread!

pinkberrykay

Im confused as well. But have found that my machine does not like Coats and Clark, Gutterman seems to be her thread of choice. However, I just received a spool of Aurifil and absolutely love it, as does my machine. There is no lint what so ever and it irons beautifully.

Tink's Mom

Aurifil is a good product. I like it alot and so does the machine. It is made by the Madeira company who mostly make embroidery threads. BTW, My machine prefers Gutterman over Dual Duty, too.

Sunnye

Yes, my machine does NOT like Coats and Clark. But I guess I'm wondering about material of thread and weights AND about mixing the top and bobbin threads.

annesthreads

I'm just as confused, especially as regards threads for quilting. I was watching one of Leah Day's videos yesterday and her advice is simple: always use the same thread, same colour, top and bottom. She uses a synthetic embroidery thread. Like you, Bottom Line puzzles me: using a much finer thread in the bobbin surely makes it more difficult to get the tension right? That's what I've always found, anyway. However - I hit on the idea of using Bottom Line top and bottom for stitch in the ditch, and that worked brilliantly - there's a good range of colours to choose from, and, being fine, the stitches didn't show on the top as much as they sometimes do. My machine won't take machine quilting thread, eg King Tut or YLI - it sticks in the tension discs - and does much better with a fine synthetic, eg Superior's Rainbows or Robison Anton embroidery thread (which Janome recommended to me).

I'll follow this discussion with interest!

Scissor Queen

I always use the same thread in the top and bottom when I piece. That way no matter which way I have to press a seam the thread takes up the same amount and doesn't cause seam differences. I always use all cotton to piece with, either Aurifil or Prescencia. They're both fine, low lint threads. Poly thread can melt so I don't use it for piecing. I don't always use the same thread weight or color top and bottom when quilting though. I have a nice selection of all cotton quilting threads to choose from. If a poly thread suited the project I would consider using it for the quilting.

nhweaver

I don't match colors in the top and bottom bobbin when I am piecing, most of my quilting is multi color, so unless I am top quilting, my Janome 10000 doesn't care if the weight or color of the thread matches. I just tried aurifil for the top thread, and I really like it, first time I could say that about cotton thread. The wonderful quilters who came before us, used what they could find, what was on hand and affordable. If your machine doesn't care, then use up your thread stash for piecing, but if you have to buy new thread I highly recommend aurifil #50 for piecing. the price is hefty, but wow, inch for inch it isn't much more than Coats & Clark or gutterman.

gollytwo

Bob Purcell's most recent Superior Threads newsletter says it's no longer true that top and bottom thread need to be the same weight.

I usually use Bottom Line top and bobbin on my Bernina
My Jems won't take it for the top thread when it's in the bobbin, so I use Aurifil cotton 50 or Mettler cotton 50 or 60.