michelleoc

I would like anyone's opinions on the Essential Cotton Thread that Connecting Threads sells. Do you use it for piecing, quilting, both? I just got their catalog and the colors are so pretty...

wesing

You will get mixed reviews on CT threads. We use it for piecing and for quilting - as a matter of fact, it's all we use. We have several of the colors for quilting, but mostly use the "Natural" to piece. It creates a lot of lint, but we clean at every bobbin change, so it is not a problem for us. Some don't like the lint, and some have said they get "blobs" in the thread. I've never had a "blob," at least not one that caused any problem with my machine. I love the color selection, the amount you get on a spool, and the price. And, if you order $50, shipping is free. I would recommend you order a couple of spools and give it a try.

Peckish

I used it for a while and as Wesing said, found it linty and somewhat blobby. I switched to Bottom Line.

Prism99

It's been well over ten years since I tried CT essential cotton thread. It created a lot more lint for me than the thread I had been using, which was Mettler silk-finish cotton. Years later, once I tried Aurifil, I quit using Mettler because Aurifil creates a lot less lint than Mettler.

My thinking is that the more lint there is, the more will get blown back into my machine where I can't get at it. Where I live, a simple professional cleaning and tune-up costs well over $100. My machine cost somewhere in the neighborhood of $2,000 fifteen years ago. I figure paying more money for good-quality thread, such as Aurifil 50wt 2-ply, is worth it to me. My machine still purrs like a kitten and I haven't taken it in for a professional cleaning in at least ten years. Aurifil not only creates less lint, it also gives me more accurate seams. Plus, because Aurifil is a fine thread, the bobbin holds more and I need to refill the bobbin less often. Aurifil 50wt 2-ply works great for both piecing and quilting on my domestic machine.

Everyone's situation is different, of course. For me, it just seems to be more cost-effective to use better quality thread. I'm happier, my machine is happier, and I consider it preventive maintenance (similar to using top-grade motor oil in a car!).

khuxford

I do a lot of charity quilting and use CT threads for all that work, piecing and the quilting. I use Aurifil for precision piecing. Agree CT is linty but I can clean out every bobbin or 2 so it does not build up. The only thing I hate, when they have their sales and the regular size spools are $1.79, they always run out of neutrals within a few hours and it is often WEEKS for them to receive new stock.

Candace

Linty, blobby and thick. Not my preferred thread.

cindi

I love it. Yes, it's a bit linty, but it's inexpensive and strong. I use it for ALL my quilts.

Jackie Spencer

I use it and love it. I have a Bernina and find its really not anymore "linty" than others I have used. I clean my Bobbin area and case everytime I fill my Bobbin anyway no matter what thread I would use. Just good maintenance. I piece and quilt with it. Love all the colors, and at that price I can afford to match my thread to my fabric color.

cindi

Couldn't have said it better....

nhweaver

I found it linty, and switched to Aurifil. Recently I started taking Leah Day online classes, she uses polyester/blends and I have started using them. If the bobbin is linty, imagine what is building up in the machine!!