I have been quilting about 30yrs, and am self-taught. Buy a book-follow the instructions-learn a new technique. I, over the years have collected books by many differnet quilters. Why, I ask, do these authers set you up for failure? I am attempting to applique and have 3 books. All these books recommend using 30/2 wt. cotton thread here is no such animal. I have searched the web no-way. I have a Bernina machine have been told that cheap thread will ruin my machine so I am trying to do the right thing, by buying good thread if I could find it. My $120.00 iron just quit after 18mnths of basically no work. What Am I doing wrong?

I don't see how thread (other than coated ones) would ruin your machine? It may cause you to have to clean it more often if it is linty though :D:D:D

I have bought Coats and Clark all cotton, 30 wt thread. I wonder if this would work for you? I think it may have been labeled as machine quilting thread? Or upholstery maybe?

Doing nothing wrong. You have listened to the quilt police who tries to tell you the "right" way to do stuff. There are many ways to skin a cat. Do what pleases you. Buy an iron you can afford to replace in 18 mos. I sew on old Singers, I have an old Bernina and I feed them the thread I have available....they are so far not picky. I try to enjoy the craft not stress and spend to make someone else happy. Make yourself happy, with recycled fabric, Walmart fabric, online fabric or the most expensive stuff you can get your hands on at the LQS. If you are making quilts worthy of the quilt show the "right" stuff might be mandatory, otherwise, nah....Coats and Clark worked for our grandmothers.

A 30wt thread is a very heavy thread. That seems odd to me to use such a heavy thread for applique unless you are doing a blanket stitch around fusible and really want it to stand out. I am by no means an applique expert but it just strikes me as odd to be using such a heavy weight thread.

I feel the same way ,do what u can afford to work with and what makes u happpy, forget the quilt ploice. Our grandmothers and great grandmothers used what they had and look at the beautifull stuff they have made and its still around. Dont stress out. Have fun. I use a $6. iron for walmart. Works great and is light weight. I'm happy cuase if it dies than I dont have much money in it.

It does seem like a very heavy weight thread. Any chance that it should be 50/2 instead of 30/2? I did successfully use 40/2 with my Bernina for applique a few weeks ago.

Cheers, K

i have learned more from the people here than any book. and i have lots of books, from when i was just new to quilting...

i don't believe in the quilt police..since i don't make quilts for show or ribbons. only because it doesn't interest me..(i do love going to quilt shows to look though!)

i think the pricey irons aren't worth the money..i get the cheap one from black and decker or some other unknown name..they usually last me 3 or 4 years..at $20 or less. depend on how i take care of them. :roll:

regarding thread..i am not a good t aapplique..but i just use gutterman from joanns.

When I had a shop (11 years ago) I used to sell a 30/2 100% cotton thread made by DMC, it was called Retors D'Alsace and came in a big range of colours. Of course, by now it might be long gone

I don't think you're doing anything wrong either. I also believe some of the manufactures use "the wrong thread" as a cop-out. My impression is the cheaper threads create a lot of lint and if you don't get that out of a machine -- clean the bobbin area regularly, then you WILL ruin the machine! I have a Janome that has sewn countless miles in the last 5 yrs -- NO problem with it. I have had a Pfaff Grandquilter (longarm) and a HandiQuilter avante now ---and both of them will sew with just about anything. The Avante doesn't like the most EXPENSIVE thread I've purchased -- the Superior Lava. But it works great on the cheap Coats and Clark thread. I DO clean the bobbin every time I change it. Also -- doing the regular oiling your machine requires is important.

As for the thread for appliquing --- I just use regular sewing thread -- Coats and Clark!!!

As for irons -- I've had pricey one that died in a years time -- took my cloth with it!!! I bought a $35.00 one from a mercantile and it's still ironing good but it's heavy. I bought a $9.99 (got it on sale for $7.99) small lightweight iron from Walmart and WOW it's the BEST iron I've had yet!!! I am trying to remember to pick up 2 or 3 just in cast for the future!!!

They recommend a 50/2wt for the bobbin and the 30/2 ofr the outline.