Polyester or cotton thread
#11
Power Poster
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Western Wisconsin
Posts: 12,930
Different colors require different dyes and dye processes; some are more caustic than others. This is often the reason why different colors of the same thread break in different ways.
I recently took a class from Jamie Wallen, who uses polyester thread (his fave is Isacord) almost exclusively for quilting. He said that many museum curators have told him they have beautiful quilts in storage that cannot be shown because the cotton quilting thread has dry rotted. (Old quilts are often stored in less than ideal situations -- attics and basements -- and this facilitates dry rot.) Polyester thread used for quilting will actually last longer than cotton thread, especially under less-than-ideal storage conditions.
Rayon is not a good thread to use for piecing or quilting because it does not wear well over time.
I recently took a class from Jamie Wallen, who uses polyester thread (his fave is Isacord) almost exclusively for quilting. He said that many museum curators have told him they have beautiful quilts in storage that cannot be shown because the cotton quilting thread has dry rotted. (Old quilts are often stored in less than ideal situations -- attics and basements -- and this facilitates dry rot.) Polyester thread used for quilting will actually last longer than cotton thread, especially under less-than-ideal storage conditions.
Rayon is not a good thread to use for piecing or quilting because it does not wear well over time.
#12
Super Member
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Las Vegas, NV
Posts: 1,398
Where do you purchase So Fine #50, and is it cheaper than Aurifil, which is what I now use?
#13
Get it from Superior Thread. I buy the large cones and that way it is much less expensive. I also bought a large cone holder from Superior. It is light and folds up making it easy to take to class. I love this thread....no lint in the bobbin area, strong, fine and comes in lots and lots of colors. Because I buy the large cones I use light grey, white or black for my piecing. So much better than cotton
#14
Junior Member
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Farmington Hills, Michigan
Posts: 266
Get it from Superior Thread. I buy the large cones and that way it is much less expensive. I also bought a large cone holder from Superior. It is light and folds up making it easy to take to class. I love this thread....no lint in the bobbin area, strong, fine and comes in lots and lots of colors. Because I buy the large cones I use light grey, white or black for my piecing. So much better than cotton
Actually, I've bought it both directly from Superior Thread and from Amazon, and I just ordered one of those cone holders from Nancy's Notions and I should have it in about a week. I've been putting the cones in a coffee cup when I sew, but depending on which machine I'm using the thread can get hung up on the motor.
I sometimes buy the smaller spools if I want a specific color for something, but I buy the cones in pearl, putty, silver and charcoal for piecing. I invested in the So Fine color charts when I couldn't decide which color I needed from the picture on my monitor; I'm glad I bought them, they are actual thread samples, so they're very helpful.
rvsfan, Superior has "Try Me" specials, where you can buy a spool or small cone for a deeply discounted price, so you can see if you like it first.
Last edited by SherylM; 10-05-2015 at 09:15 AM.
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