Best thread for basting a quilt sandwich?
 

I love the results when I hand baste the quilt sandwich the way Sharon Schamber describes. It is also relaxing to me. I have not found the DMC thread some recommend. What is best basting thread to use for this and where can I order it?

You should be able to use any 50-weight cotton thread for basting a quilt sandwich. 60-weight or finer may be too weak a thread for the job. The best tip I've heard for thread basting is to use a light colored thread. When you remove a dark colored basting thread from your sandwich, it can leave little dark fuzzies which you have to brush off your quilt top. Otherwise, you should be good to go.

When I use to thread baste I used serger thread. A cone lasted for many quilts, and not hard to remove. It is easy to find serger thread at yardsales in my area. I think so many bought it because it was cheap and there was a lot on the cone. I won't save used basting thread so the cheaper was best for me.

I just love the Sharon Schambers basting method, too! I found numerous vendors on eBay selling the DMC tatting thread, prices and shipping very reasonable. The label says DMC 80. The thread is thicker and rougher than sewing thread, so is supposed to hug better and not slip through the layers like smoother thread.

our weekly senior bee also uses cone serger thread for basting. it is white, so easy to see on the quilts we make.

Add me to using the cheapest crap I can lay my hands on for thread basting. So white serger thread usually fills the bill. I also use it for basting applique pieces. Basically any temporary job where I am going to cut it and toss it.

I use Sharon's method also. I love her method. That quilt does not move or shift at all. Before when I basted with regular 50wt sewing thread, the quilt still shifted. We have a little stitchery shop that has tatting supplies, but I use crochet thread or pearle cotton. Either of those work great. The crochet thread is the cheapest. I can get a ball for about 25cents at our thrift store.

I also like her method because I can sit....no bending over a table, killing my back. It's a challenge doing a big quilt though, but it's doable.

ETA: I use size 8 perle cotton and size 5 or 10 crochet thread

Rough thread
 

I can tell the difference when I use a rough thread ( not mercerized). It doesn't slide around in the quilt sandwich and will hold the quilt more firmly.

Rough thread
 

I can tell the difference when I use a rough thread ( not mercerized). It doesn't slide around in the quilt sandwich and will hold the quilt more firmly.

I use up my various and sundry spools of thread that won't work well in my sewing machine. Not particular about color since it is removed easily anyway. Amazing how many spools just have a little bit of thread left on them and can be used up in its entirety. I have emptied several spools on just one quilt. Kinda like recycling. Works for me!

I use Sharon's method as well and there is only one thread I will use.

Water soluble.

I can quilt right over it and when I'm done quilting it washes out.

And yes it holds the quilt together. Even a heavy flannel quilt.

I used the smallest size of pearl cotton I could get at JoAnn's. I have also used size 20 crochet thread. Both are grippy enough to work with her method. I also bought large doll making needles at JoAnn's and they work really well with the bigger size of thread.

Trying to find not mercerized thread
 

I have been searching for non-mercerized tatting thread. Even DMC...that I have found, shows that it is mercerized. Please share with me what you are using that is not mercerized.

I use the DMC tatting thread with the herringbone stitch, and it works beautifully.

Size of thread?
 

Thank you for responding so quickly! One more question... what size thread should I use for sandwiching? I was thinking about using a 10 or a 20, but is that too large? I do not want to leave holes in the quilt.

I used to use serger threads to thread baste my quilts but I no longer thread baste. I took the leap to basting with Elmer's washable School glue it has made my quilting experience so much nicer. What I say to people is do what ever fits your quilting style and needs.

What about using water soluble thread? I have used it to machine baste quilts to get the pins out of the way for my design. I can’t do hand work - my arthritis is too painful.

I assumed the tatting thread came only in one size. You don't need a thick thread for basting; the thing about the tatting thread is that it is rough, so it doesn't slide through the fabric the way a smooth thread would.

I'm so glad you said this because I've been looking at various ways of basting a quilt, pinning it just didn't do myself or my fiancé any good at all, we spent so much time in the floor that we were stiff and sore for a couple days after so I'm researching alternatives. I've got two quilts on the horizon that I'll have to bind, with another one in the wings, I've been keeping an eye on water soluble thread and wondered how it performed. So the thread stays intact when you iron with steam or is ironing avoided until after the quilt has been washed?