BigDog

Those of you who hand quilt. Do you use a single strand of thread or double?

I'm quilting again after about 10 years. I used invisible thread before, single strand. Now, surprise surprise, I'm 10 years older and can't see the invisible thread. No joke required at this point, lol.

So I'm using Coats & Clarke cotton. Just regular, visible thread. One strand seems so fragile. I want to use 2 strands. But I don't want it bunched up.

I know there are no quilt police and I should do as I wish, but I will want to make these for gifts and I want them to look as nice as possible.

I guess my question is: Is 1 strand strong enough?

virtualbernie

I've always only used single thread. Seems to me double will tangle alot and drive you nuts. Why not use hand quilting thread, it's stronger.

hopetoquilt

I used hand quilting thread from Joanne's and only one strand. It worked well and the quilts I hand quilted have stood up well to alot of use.

ube quilting

Are you using quilting thread? There is a standard quilting thread that is normally used for hand quilting. It is sturdier than regular all purpose sewing thread.
peace

BigDog

I guess that's my problem. I'm not using the correct thread. Yes, double strand tangles some.

OK, I'll get thread specifically for hand quilting. I really didn't know the difference.

Thanks for your replies.

BigDog

Oh, 'nother question.

The thread at Connecting Threads. They say it's designed by quilters for quilters. Is this strong enough?

Link:

http://www.connectingthreads.com/thr...Thread--600902

Barb44

The Connecting Threads Essential cotton is for machine piecing and quilting. You need a thread that says HAND Quilting thread.

virtualbernie

Ditto.

earthwalker

I hand quilt using Gutermann handquilting cotton. I have no experience with the Connecting Threads products (I am in Australia) but I did look at the site (thanks for the link).

The thread you were looking at appears to me to be machine quilting thread. Handquilting thread is a bit thicker. I found an interesting thread tutorial, while I was browsing their site. It explained which threads go with which applications. Here's the link:
http://www.connectingthreads.com/tut...read__D89.html

BigDog

Thank you for that tutorial page. I hadn't seen it. I guess where I get confused is some sites say thread is for quilting but they mean it's for machine or long arm quilting. I have no clue what the difference is unless they specifically say "machine" quilting. I will find thread specifically for hand quilting.