Change in Connecting Threads Thread
 

Has anyone noticed a change in Connecting Threads Thread? The last couple of spools received had knots, spurs and created much more lint in my machines both while piecing and machine quilting. This problem has developed in the last 6 mos. Several ladies in my quilting group have had the same problem and, combined, we buy a lot of thread from them. I was wondering if they have changed their supplier for the egyptian cotton thread? Can anyone recommend an alternative retailer on-line to buy exemplary thread at the same price?

I just used it for a quilt and noticed that it seemed to break easier. Not a good thing.

Have you contacted Connecting Threads? They may have gotten a bad batch, or they might not even know about it yet. They have excellent customer service - I'd contact them first to see if they're willing to replace it.

Call them, they will replace it. I bought several spools and had one bad one. When I called they told me they had had some problems and were very nice about sending me a replacement spool. Mayme

Just jotted off a note to Connecting Threads. Will wait to see how they respond.

oh my goodness, i just started using them as my thread supplier. of course, i've already bought lots of it.

They have a sale right now. $1.74 a spool. I love their thread and is thinking of buying some. Never had issues so it may be a batch or too. They do have excellent service and will replace it. I would do that first before going somewhere else.

i've not had any problems with my connecting threads thread- so far- sometimes it is possible to get a bad batch- i've bought expensive ($18 a cone) thread at quilt shows just to find it broke every couple inches & was not usable---contact them- they will make it right-
i've been using their threads for a couple years now & have been very happy (although- i do not use the egyptian cotton threads- i've never had any luck with them-regardless of source)
if you want to see what other companies have to offer you could visit Superior Threads or Atlanta Thread Company- both have large selections & are good resources to have- i will still buy most of my threads from Connecting threads but i do at times get something from one of the others....Superior threads has a great selection of Verigated Threads-which i love

I like the colors of the single spools but I started buying the Essential Pro 100% poly size 70/3. It's lint free and great for piecing and for bobbin. It's a great value.
I noticed the cotton spools are listed as long staple cotton not Egyptian cotton. I think it use to be listed as Egyptian. This may be the reason for the change in performance. I would rather CT charge more and have the better quality thread. It's my one stop quilt shop!

I've noticed the last couple of years it is very, very linty, so I switched to Aurifil.

I've had problems with their thread purchased last year. Knots, lint, breaking, etc. I love their color selection but have decided to quit using their thread in my Bernina, which is more sensitive to lint build-up. I'm now using only Aurifil or Superior.

I get the lint and seems to be weaker patches in a spool of CT thread once in a while. I just deal with it, I have bunches and bunches of their threads and will have to use it up.

did you check your needle? it is not always the thread that is the issue, but a BUR in the needle..

Geez, Louise, I have my catalog out here and am deciding which colors to get. I have already bought "Homestead" and 12 spools of natural in the past year. I was thinking about getting some more colors just to add to my collection. I have not had any trouble whatsoever and I use the natural when I sew my blocks together. I thought I would get different colors for the binding. I think one more set should pretty well do it for the rest of my life. Also, I noticed the sets are $21.90 for ten, but you can buy from the thread sale at $1.74 a spool! So I think I will pick out 10 spools from there. I thought I remembered that it said "Egyptian thread". I don't see it in this book, but it sure looks like the same stuff and the thread that I bought the last two times look the same.

Now I am getting worried.

Edie

I have never noticed any knots but it is really linty....I just make sure I clean the quilting machine after every use, other wise I like it

I just finished a wall hanging for my daughters wedding and found that the thread frayed and broke much easier than other threads I have used.....
I'm not happy with it and will probably not buy any more.

I have some. It is linty but strong enough. I use it. They might be changing suppliers.

Where do you buy the Aurifil? I want to try it....

Have you let Connecting Threads know of this problem with the thread? Maybe they have a new supplier and need to know that there is a problem. I would get in touch with them and let them know you are disappointed in the thread lately.

Try your local LQS. For an online source: http://jhittlesewing.funoverload.com...ls/page_1.html. I know there are other sites as well.

As far as it goes, Egyptian cotton is a long staple and is the sturdiest (apparently it's extra long staple), but there are other long staple cottons (ong-staple cotton is any cotton with fibers from 1 1/8" to 2 1/2" long - found on the web), so Egyptian and long staple are not one and the same.

I have some old and some new Connecting Thread's thread. The old works much better than the new.

I had a bad spool of the eggplant color recently. It was like the thread was cut about every 18 inches but it was still wound on the spool, if that makes any sense. I thought my machine was coming unthreaded until I took a good look at the spool. I emailed them and they replaced the spool without any problem. Silly thing is that the replacement spool came in a big box with tons of packaging . . . for just one spool of thread.

If you have a leftover toy microscope from your kids, look at thread under it. You will be surprised how all of it looks like hairy barb wire. You can really see the best thread and why it's the best.

Yes its bad messed up my machine with lint bad I had to take in for a cleaning! I gave all I had to a friend!

One thing about lint in machines. If your machine has outside threading then the lint won't be a big problem. If it has inside threading then you need to be really careful about lint. All industrial machines have outside threading and many guide lines for the thread. The more guidelines the less lent build up, the air moves most of the lint away. If inside, it has no where to go.

Yes, I have had problems with their threads. The thread will break inthe middle of sewing and I have to go back and rethread the machine all over again. It seems like there are weak spots in the thread

You need to contact them. I emailed them about them backing their products when I placed my first order and was told they stand behind all products and if I have any problems they'll refund or replace anything I have a problem with. If you don't tell them they won't know. It could be they've changed where they get their thread, etc. Lots of things could cause this but they need to know and you shouldn't pay for less than what you get.

Thanks everyone for your input and comments. I have emailed Connecting Threads and am waiting for their response. I am going to take Bellaboo's advice and look at the thread under a microscope to see if there are more "barbs" on the newer thread purchased. I'm not giving up on Connecting Threads! Yes, they have stood behind their products for some of my friends and I still really like their fabric collections. I wanted opinions and I got them so, hopefully, CT will correct the thread problem and again provide us with a quality thread product. I'll report back when and if I get an explanation.

I too have had problems with the thread breaking and lint. I emailed them today to let them know. I have purchased from them before, but this is the first time buying thread.

I bought several spools a couple yrs ago and never saw so much lint in my machine.

I don't want to hear this.. I recently bought ALOT of their thread, as I've heard such good things about it here!

I too, have heard great things and became a first time customer with them over the weekend. Needed thread and took advantage of the $1.74 spool sale and ordered 29 spools!

Glad I read this thread. I was thinking of ordering from them. Not now.

I have lots of the thread and use it. It works great in my FW with a size 19/14 needle. CT cotton thread is 3 ply and needs a bigger needle.

Have not had a problem with their thread. Hope it was just a bad batch or something.

My machine and I like the thread a lot. Yes, it is a bit linty but that just forces me to clean out the machine more often (which I should do anyway). I have one bin with neutrals for piecing and one bin with assorted colors for quilting.

I have always used CT's thread. Have never had a problem with it. I would think you just got a bad batch and if you make them aware of it, they will do you right.

Agree. I also use a size 19/14 on my Janome 6000. At first I used a smaller needle and
the thread would break continuously.

I am getting ready to order 12 spools of their thread for $1.74. I have nothing but good things to say about their thread. I love it. I called them yesterday and didn't quite understand why I bought an Essential set which contained 15 spools of thread and these only contain 10 spools. She said it was because the set I bought last time was a discontinuation of some of the thread to make way for some new colors. My luck! So instead of ordering a set of ten for $21.90, I am going to order 12 individual spools and get those for just a few cents cheaper than the set of 10. I only use the thread for handwork and so I think this should pretty well do it for my thread. My first order was 12 spools of Natural for sewing my squares together. I have never had a problem. I love the Egyptian thread.

Happy Quilting. Edie