I never thought of using anything other than hand quilting thread in colors- thanks for the tips!

I forget what needles I used the last quilt I did big stitch quilting on. I did use, I think, a #12 pearle cotton thread though. It was quick! Granted, it was only a baby quilt but still - done in no time. DH really liked it lots since he could actually see the stitches. I used smaller stitches than the typical 'big stitch' length as I had a really hard time getting into a larger stitch rhythm since I'm used to trying to always make tiny stitches with my hand quilting, lol.

I like my stitches a little smaller as well. Usually 5-6 per inch. I use a hand made leather thimble (DD makes them for me) and no hoop. I board/hand baste Sharon Schamber method, works great. Recently finished a lap quilt with clamshells. Very quick. Just started to machine quilt a twin, started the 2nd line of stitching and immediately turned off the machine as I hate wrestling a big quilt on a small machine. Told my DD that I don't have the patience to machine quilt...

I machine quilt using 12 wt thread, 100 microtex needle, 2 tension. Size 60 or higher in bobbin.

I'll have to look up that thread. I've been very happy with Sulky cotton 12 weight for hand embroidery.

Agriculture also makes a 12 wt. Silky's 12 is fairly fine, I have used it, but prefer a thicker thread. I mostly use Perle cotton in 8 or 12 wt. I love Thimblelady XL (sashiko) needles for 12 wt thread or chenille needles for #8 Perle cotton.

I am not familiar with big stitch quilting, but I'd practice on something else before you went near your quilt.

My earlier post was about Aurifil, not agriculture and Sulky, not silky... I hate auto correct!