Is bobbin thread strong enough for piecing?
 

I have been using Aurifil 50wt 2-ply for piecing and love it, but Aurifil is a bit pricey.

Just bought a cone of Threadart bobbin thread 60wt from Amazon, and it's a lot less expensive. It's finer than the Aurifil, but seems plenty strong when I hold it in two hands and try to break it. Was thinking of using this in the bobbin and Aurifil on top. That way the bobbin would hold more thread and not run out as fast, plus it would be cheaper than using all Aurifil. Now I am thinking maybe I should use the bobbin thread on top too and make it *really* cheap!

If I am remembering correctly, some people use So Fine! both top and bobbin for piecing. I'm thinking the Threadart 60wt would be similar.

Any thoughts? Oh, and here is a link to the Threadart stuff I bought:
http://www.amazon.com/Bobbin-Thread-...dp/B0034W118Q/

I'm no thread expert, but 60 weight is what I use in the bobbin when I use invisible thread for appliqué. That thread is polyester, so it probably is very strong. It certainly looks like it would go a long way! Look on Superior threads website and see if they have a information on that weight thread.
Sue

I use Superior So Fine!, for piecing and quilting; it's 50 weight. Bottom Line is 60 weight.

Humm never thought of using Bottom Line for piecing. That would make a finer seam. Wonder if it would work?

I prefer Superior's Masterpiece thread for piecing. It is 50 wt and is available on a large cone.

I use Mettler 60wt in the bobbin quite often, and I almost always use Aurifil 50wt in the top. Love the combination.

I've used that Threadart Bobbin thread for quilting and it's great - I used it in the bobbin and the needle. Being poly, it's very strong and I didn't have any problems stitching with it. I was making TINY designs on top of the seams in a log cabin quilt - the results were quite good, although hard to find. :D If I had made larger designs, they'd have shown up better. It's pretty shiny and you might not want that look for some things, but for other things, "shiny" works just great.

I sometimes use Bottom Line and Essential threads PRO in both the needle and the bobbin - those are fine poly threads, too - the Bottom Line is slightly glossy but it's not as shiny. The PRO is matte and just as strong as the others.

I use the ThreadArt 40wt embroidery thread for quilting sometimes, too - I like the shine for some things and they have some variegated colors that are just beautiful. They have frequent sales, so check their web site and sign up for their mailing list. :)

Edited to add pictures of the quilt/quilting - ThreadArt bobbin thread - black:

Beautiful quilt, quilting and pillows.
I use the same thread top and bobbin, coats and clark or essentials or machine quilting thread. I would be afraid to use poly thread for piecing. When pressing I set my iron on cotton and I think the heat would melt it. I have a cone of thread I use for basting and if I iron it the thread melts and is totally gone.

OOOH, I like this. Very, very pretty. I love the bright colors.

I just heat-tested it with my Rowenta iron on a cotton setting. Didn't melt, even when I left the iron on it for 10 seconds. It didn't get brittle either; still couldn't break it between my hands. It did look as if it flattened out a little, but seems to me that would just help the seam lie flat (and also with accuracy).

Serger cone thread and regular sewing machine are not the same thing. The serger thread isn't made as strong and is not as heat resistant. Regular SM thread is both. If your machine likes it, then use it as long it passes a breakage test. I just bought a box of thread for $1 and as a former user of of only certain brands, I can't believe I'm using these, but they passed the pulling test and my machine is happy, so what is, is.

I wouldn't use 60 wt. anything for piecing as it's not going to hold it together as well as 50 wt. Similarly, I won't piece with poly. I had issues using poly embroidery thread and melting it with an iron. I stick to 50 wt. Aurifil. It's more expensive because it's one of the best.

Connecting Threads Pro is 70wt and it is made for LA use so it's strong. I use it in my bobbin with all weights and brands of piecing thread and it works great. My bobbin seems to last double the time too. I have over 48 mini spools of Aurifil so I know it's great thread but no better then other quality 2 ply brands and I have some of all of them to compare to each other. If the thread says lingerie or basting thread it is not strong but that is old labeling and not many threads are made weak anymore. The new poly thread made today does not have the problems that the old cheap poly use to have.