Phoppe

I recently heard that using poly bobbin thread is not the best idea when making quilts with cotton fabric. Can someone tell me if I can use regular cotton thread in my bobbin or do I need to find actual cotton bobbin thread. Is there a weight difference? I ran out of bobbin thread (was using poly) but now I'm not sure what to use. I can't find cotton bobbin thread on the spool at my local shops. Just prewound. Thank you.

loisf

When I piece, I use Aurifil 50 weight cotton thread in both the bobbin and the top thread. Never had any problems. I've also used 60 weight cotton in both. To my knowledge, you can use the same thread in both. I've never heard of thread made specifically and solely for the bobbin.

Phoppe

I found this stuff and it's labeled as bobbin thread. That's why I was curious. https://www.marathonthread.com/index.php?cPath=4_25

dharinger

You do not need to use cotton thread. That is an old myth. Superior Threads as great information on threads. http://www.superiorthreads.com/

Phoppe

Thanks. The person told me that poly will eventually eat through the cotton because the cotton fabric will wear faster than the poly thread.

Phoppe

I know, it makes no sense to me either, but I wanted to check with the "pros" and see what you guys use for bobbin threads.

JenniePenny

I have found that I really like Bottom Line thread for the bobbin and for hand appliqué. And I also really like the bobbin thread sold at Jo-Ann's (can't remember the brand name right now but it is a very well-known brand). Sometimes it's hard to find, because they only carry it in white and black, and the displays of thread are vast. But it is polyester and nice and thin, which helps with the seam allowance. Why? Because you have less thread thickness to press the seam allowance over.
After experiencing greater accuracy in block sizes with special bobbin thread, it's just something I buy now.

Prism99

I second using Aurifil 50wt 2-ply in both top and bobbin. I have tried using Aurifil on top and polyester bobbin thread in the bobbin; however, for me this produced a slight puckering in the seams and my seams did not look as nice and flat. So, I went back to Aurifil top and bottom.

The "polyester thread eating through cotton" may have been true decades ago, when polyester was made differently. Modern polyester threads break as easily as cotton threads, so that is not true of threads purchased today. I don't think it was entirely a myth, just that it no longer applies.

Onebyone

If a quilt shop or fabric store tells you can't use poly thread with cotton fabric just say that is not true and walk out. If another quilter or sewer tells you this tell them they need to update their old wives tales.

I buy pre filled bobbins for piecing from Superior Threads. I'm using Aurifil for the top now because I have a lot of it. I like Connecting Threads Essential Pro on the cone for piecing too. For machine quilting I use Glide Magna Delights no matter what top thread I choose but usually I use Glide for the top too.

FroggyinTexas

People seem to be as hung up on thread as they are are on LQS fabric. "Every woman to her own taste," said the old woman as she kissed the cow is what my mother would have said. I use Coats and Clark, which is readily available, comes in a myriad of colors, and is reasonably priced. It is cotton, wrapped with polyester or 100 percent cotton, or whatever it says on the end of the spool. Incidentally, I found a spool of thread--happened to be a color I needed--that I know was nearly 40 years old recently. I pulled on it to see if it had rotted and after assuring myself that it was still all right, I jused it on my project. The end label was marked K-Mart, so I know I bought it in Odessa, Texas when K-Mart had a huge store there and still carried fabric and sewing notions.

Unless we are talking about embroidery thread, I don't quite understand why people get so worried about thread! froggyintexas