Applique with silk thread on cotton fabric
#1
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Palm Desert, CA
Posts: 113
Applique with silk thread on cotton fabric
I'm starting a clamshell quilt. I will be appliqueing each shell onto the other. I have made several samples using silk thread and really like the look and the way it handles; but, I keep hearing an old warning from a teacher of long ago which stated that you should not use silk, or polyester thread on cotton because it will eventually destroy the cotton threads. Each time I do an applique stitch, it only catches a few cotton threads (over and over). Do you think this quilt will fall apart after real use and necessary washings? All opinions and experiences would be truly appreciated.
#2
Power Poster
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Ontario, Canada
Posts: 17,726
I've had a lot of people recommend silk thread for hand applique.
I've only done a little applique, and have liked using the silk thread.
Nice to work with, holds well, plus is virtually invisible.
Another thread that works well, is Invisafil 100 wt.
Much like the silk for working with and a huge selection of colours to choose from.
I've only done a little applique, and have liked using the silk thread.
Nice to work with, holds well, plus is virtually invisible.
Another thread that works well, is Invisafil 100 wt.
Much like the silk for working with and a huge selection of colours to choose from.
#5
Super Member
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: kansas
Posts: 6,407
I think that is outdated advice. Many/most machine quilters use a poly or poly/cotton and those quilts hold together very well. perhaps 30+ yrs ago the poly was so stiff and strong that it pulled through the cotton, but that doesn't seem to happen now.
#7
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Palm Desert, CA
Posts: 113
Thank you all for your input. I think I am going to do the applique with silk. It looks so nice. The class where I was told not to use polyester or silk thread with cotton fabric was about 30 years ago, so it makes sense that thread has been greatly improved since then.
#8
Super Member
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Heart of Colorado's majestic mountains!
Posts: 6,026
That misinformation about polyester thread goes back to the era when it was monofilament-like nylon and did cut cotton fabric. That characteristic disappeared when it was made in plies and twisted-like cotton. Silk works beautifully in applique because it sinks into the cotton and disappears.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
craftybear
Links and Resources
3
05-01-2011 02:23 PM
Halfsquare
Links and Resources
0
02-22-2011 09:30 PM