dgreen

What kind of thread do you use for basting the hexagons, and whipstitching them together? Should I use cotton hand quilting thread? or just regular cotton, or poly? I'm new to this and don't know all the differences between threads and uses for them. Thank you!

Marjpf

I used up all the Coats and Clark's I had around that my Pfaff tries to eat when I put it in there. I don't think it too much matters since you never see it.

BellaBoo

I can see my whipsititching, and it's not always (never) even so I use YLI silk thread. It's strong and the stitches seem to disappear in the fabric. If you plan on doing a lot of applique or English piecing I would suggest using it. I bought a tube of YLI Neutral color thread set and it will last me for years. I also have the MasterPiece Frosted Donut Prewound Bobbins I use for hand sewing/mending/applique. It's fantastic thread.
I bought both here:

http://www.connectingthreads.com/thr...__L600904.html

redkimba

for basting the fabric to the paper form, I just use whatever thread comes to hand. For whipstitching them together, I used a cotton thread. I am going for a semi-reproduction look on mine, that's why I used the cotton thread.

PS - ignore the dress; that's from a 19th Cent. ladies' weekend a couple years ago. I was showing off the "progress" of the quilt.

littlehud

Oh come on, I love the dress. Tee hee. Your quilt is wonderful.

mayday

I was told last week to ALWAYS to use cotton as I had been using poly or synthetic which I found ok, but it was said poly would melt if ironed ---not that I do/would ; comments please!

mom-6

I've had no problems with using poly thread and ironing for regular sewing. The problems I've had have been with my machine not liking the thread.

ConnieF

The poly threads stretch and do not do well on a lot of machines... cotton is always bes and a good to to boot.

Hold up an look at it if fuzzies all over NO.

Poly thread is usuall wound to fast on most machines and stretches it then when stitched out it drays up, that is why you get bad puckerd seams....

I think the poly thread that was being talked about is the clear threads... yes they willmelt but not the cotton/poly blends, but not the best to ever sew a quilt with.

Silk thread is the best for english paper piecing first and second a fine cotton.

ConnieF

Silk is number one to stitch the pieces together if not use a good fine cotton.

Baste with any thread you just snip and toss anyway.

And do all the stitches from the back side and your stitched will be less for showing....

Good luck...

ckcowl

i use up any left over on spool threads to baste my pieces, just use up what ever. i do use a quality thread when i actually piece...matching if possible or a shade darker than my patches. but for basting, no one is gonna see it so use up what you have great savings, i don't know about you but i go through a lot of thread so have spools with just a few yards on them, not enough to even wind a bobbin, that thread goes into my (hand-work) tote to be used up 'where-ever'