Clear thread for applique?
 

I am doing applique around these fish and they are all different colors and I was wondering if I use the clear thread what kind to buy. I tried it one time and it just unraveled and made a mess and have not tried it since a long time ago. Maybe I had some cheap thread. Can anyone tell me what to use and how to use it and what do I use in the bobbin. Thanks for any help. [ATTACH=CONFIG]473907[/ATTACH]

Be sure it's poly monofiliment not nylon. Nylon will stretch and cause all kinds of stitching problems. This is the best:

http://www.superiorthreads.com/product/brand/monopoly/

I found a great article that should answer all your questions.

http://www.generations-quilt-pattern...ar-thread.html

I use YLI nylon monofilament for this and never have any problems. I have tried Invisafil and polyester clear threads; none are as invisible as the nylon monofilament. Brand name is important in nylon monofilament, which is why I use YLI. It is as fine as baby hair.

There are some tricks you need to know to use nylon monofilament without problems. (1) For one thing it is stretchy, so it is important to lower your upper tension. Test. I drop mine down from a 5 to a 3 or so. (2) How you wind the bobbin is important. Because of the stretch, it's important to wind the bobbin slowly. Never overfill the bobbin. If you have metal bobbins, you can fill about 3/4ths full. If you have plastic bobbins, do not fill more than 2/3rds. This is because the stretch in the thread can cause the bobbin to distort.

Edit: That's a great website posted above. I forgot to mention that I use a cover on my cone of YLI and also use a thread stand -- to make sure that the thread is feeding evenly from the top of the cone into my machine. I *love* the new Superior thread stand for this and other applications (such as winding bobbins on my standalone bobbin winder).

Edit 2: I should add that I have tried the Superior MonoPoly. It is thicker and stiffer than my YLI nylon monofilament, and shows more. I have ironed over the YLI thread with a hot Rowenta iron just to test, and it has not been bothered by the heat.

the invisible thread from Superior Threads is a very nice (problem free) thread- I generally use aurifil or cotton 60wt thread in my bobbin- in a neutral shade. when you visit Superior Threads you can print charts that tell you all about the different threads, what needles to use with what threads...lots of great free information. I use 'smoke' invisible for dark fabrics and clear for light fabrics and can even quilt with it without problem.

Oh, I am so pleased with all your help girls. All of you are so smart. I have a metal cone stand and all my bobbins are metal. I read everything and now I am going to practice. Thanks for all your help.

I always use thread to match. Be sure to look at the applique as layers. It is so important to get your first stitches secure otherwise, your stitching can unravel. Cute fish !!

Fun fish! I would use a Superior monopoly in the top and bobbin.

I use superior monopoly but good to know about YLI