Do I have to use 100% cotton thread?
07-30-2007, 07:31 AM
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 659
My opinion is NO, you do not have to use cotton thread to piece your quilt. The theory was that the polyester would cut the cotton threads with wear, but seems to be false. With the cotton covering on the thread, that should solve that problem anyway. I do use cotton quilting thread to hand quilt because it is stronger and doesn't tangle as much, but I do not think that is a law either. If your machine won't use the cotton thread, that rules out that option anyway. We have to be able to piece to keep our sanity, don't we??? :D
07-30-2007, 09:25 AM
#4
Banned
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Russellville AR
Posts: 1,942
Heavens no. I prefer cotton threads for most things, but you can use anything you like. Don't get caught up in the rules established by the "quilt police"... your hobby should be fun and you should do it however you enjoy doing it!
07-30-2007, 09:50 AM
#5
Super Member
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: So. California
Posts: 3,769
I took a long-arm quilting class on Saturday, and our instructor told us that the old "synthetic thread will cut your cotton fabric" thing is an old marketing ploy! Way back when, it was really the dyes used in the fabric that would cause most of the problems. She said that she uses a thread called "Isacord" almost exclusively for piecing & for quilting, and it is a poly wrapped poly thread. And what she liked best about it is that is so thin, it cuts down on the bulk when you press your piecing - especially when a bunch of points come together!
For me, I use whatever I have on hand, mostly cotton wrapped poly Coats & Clarks & sometimes "Mercerized" cotton C&C.
Use what works for you!!
sue
For me, I use whatever I have on hand, mostly cotton wrapped poly Coats & Clarks & sometimes "Mercerized" cotton C&C.
Use what works for you!!
sue
07-31-2007, 11:30 AM
#6
Member
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Vancouver, WA
Posts: 67
Carol,
My sewing mechanics say that you shouldn't really use cotton thread unless you have to , for it causes lots of lint damage to your machine. I've not had good luck with common thread like Coats & Clark - they broke too often.
The cotton thread for cotton garments, my 90 year old grandma says, is a marketing recommendation. She and I both use and recommend poylester - Gutermann or Robison Anton are the best, I've found. In the old days, dyed cotton thread would run and polyester is colorfast due to the polymers which capture the dye and hold it fast. I've made many cotton quilts and used polyester thread. The cotton thread I've used is primarily for hand quilting and so it is heavier.
L
My sewing mechanics say that you shouldn't really use cotton thread unless you have to , for it causes lots of lint damage to your machine. I've not had good luck with common thread like Coats & Clark - they broke too often.
The cotton thread for cotton garments, my 90 year old grandma says, is a marketing recommendation. She and I both use and recommend poylester - Gutermann or Robison Anton are the best, I've found. In the old days, dyed cotton thread would run and polyester is colorfast due to the polymers which capture the dye and hold it fast. I've made many cotton quilts and used polyester thread. The cotton thread I've used is primarily for hand quilting and so it is heavier.
L
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