I have never tried CT thread but I've read on this Board that a lot of you like it.

My question is...what thread would you recommend I try? Do you buy the cones?

I want to get away from all the lint that my Coats and Clark (from Joanns) leaves around my needle and bobbin case.

I bought the smaller spools of thread. The large cones would be great if you have a cone holder. I love, love their thread!!!

I know that most traditional quilters use only cotton thread, but I am the odd man out. When I first learned to quilt, I was told to use cotton thread. But when I started again and got my Bernina I asked the Mennonite ladies at the quilt shop and they recommended polyester for everything. I love Gutermann and Metler thread. I have used some cotton threads because they are variegated. It looked nice, but the lint was horrible. If you are trying to get away from the lint, check with your machine manufacturer and if it isn't contraindicated, try the polyester threads.

Nursie...contraindicated??? LOL. I could tell, without looking at your user name, that you were in the medical field :) I was once in nursing, too :)

I have tons of poly thread for machine embroidery! I read on here somewhere that poly isn't good for quilting but rayon is OK. I have that, too. I think I'll give it a try on a scrap sandwich and see how my machine "tolerates" it :)

Thanks.

I love Connecting Thread thread. I just buy the smaller spools. They work great on my machine and don't leave much lint.

I have both the Star brand thread and the Connecting Threads brands. I find the CT thread to be smoother and it leaves less lint and it's also cheaper. I will use up my Star thread spools but will always go back to CT.

Yeah, I guess the training shows, huh? :oops:

What I have been told, is that in the past, you were to use only cotton as the quilting material was cotton and if you used polyester sewing thread then it would be stronger than the fabric fibers and "cut" it. Now, I am told, the fabric is manufactured differently and that is not a concern. I also have mostly poly embroidery thread (and a little rayon). Although rayon has more shine to it, I am told that polyester holds up to repeated washing, and dryer heat. The polyester thread I use to piece is usually Gutermann Sew-All or Mettler - Metrosene.

I use the CT large cones and the small tubes. Love them. I have the cones for the basic white, beige, and black. I also use poly cones sometimes too. Poly embroidery thread is stronger and takes the wear much better than rayon.

I have lots of CT cones and thread sets. It's the best thread value for the price.

OH, and I need to specify, that the poly I use to piece is not the same as the poly embroidery thread. The embroidery thread is lighter weight. Just wanted to add that, so I didn't steer someone in the wrong direction.

One more question..... What is connecting thread? I'm new to quilting and have never heard of this. When I started machine quilting Joann's had thread for 1/2 off and I bought 8 spools of the cotton quilting thread. I hate it. It is as curly as curl ribbon. I wish I hadn't bought so much of it, but 1/2 off is a good bargain. Like my hubby says, it's not a bargain if you don't like it.

If you go to the website for Superior Thread (www.superiorthread.com) they have an education tab. it will tell you everything you ever wanted to know about thread and then a whole lot more. Basically what I got from their site is that it's a personal preference. There is no right or wrong. According to their website if you ask alot of people why they use only cotton they will tell you that's how they learned and it was a tradition thing. Back in the day there wasn't any such thing as polyester or rayon. So, check out their website and I think you will find the right answer for YOU.

I love Connecting Threads essential thread. I use the regular spools and purchase mostly the neutral colors like neutral, cornsilk and cream.

I would guess that the thread on the small spools and the larger cones is the same thread....just a different amount. So if you aren't sure if it will work for you, buy a small spool.
I LOVE their thread. I even use it on my LA

'connecting thread' is not really a thread. It refers to the threads that the company Connecting Threads sells. It is available in many colors as well as neutrals in small spools (I believe it 1200 yds) or cones (5000 yds). Give it a try...I think its the best available for a fantastic price.

I find that with this thread the seams are a bit thicker. My favorite piecing thread is Masterpiece by Superior thread.

The thread you bought may have been meant for handquilting; should not be used for machine work.
I have used Connecting Threads product, and it's fine. I prefer Aurifil and Bottom Line.

I would just get a couple of spools to try it out. I bought about a dozen spools and I don't like it.

Im a rebel when it comes to quilting rules. when i sew or quilt with my bernina I love the look of the sulky rayon thread, and no big lint problem. However, My Bailey machine does not play nice with the sulky, so I buy the connecting threads brand which is much much cheaper. The downside is more lint and less shine,I dont think varigated thread has made it to connecting threads maybe someday.

Connecting Thread is a fabric and notions online store. I buy kits from them as I have 'color issues' and cannot coordinate fabrics easily. Fabrics are generally lower priced, too, and, so far have been of good quality.

I buy their thread and I love it. It isn't linty like other threads I've used in the past. It's also so smooth - I believe it's 100% Egyptian cotton if I'm remembering right.

I use both spools and cones. In fact, my friends and I are waiting for a sale... waiting... waiting... I know they'll have one sooner or later....

They do have - or did - varigeted threads.

For me, it was way more linty than any other thread I've tried and it broke constantly. Mainly when quilting or doing fusible web applique though-for piecing it's not too bad but I still have to keep an eye on it to make sure it's not getting all thin and about to break. Weird how it works differently on different setups.

Gale- I think that's the whole trick, different machines like different threads. Well, we do name our machines so just like people we are all different. LOL I also think it may have to do with our choice of needle size, tension, our sewing styles vary, why shouldn't our threads?!

So my best advise for a new quilter or new machine is to buy or borrow a spool of thread and try it out before you stock up.

I love Connecting Threads. I've ordered from them with no problems and they deliver in a couple days. I always wait untill I can put in a fifty dollar order so I can get free shipping. Love their thread and their fabric. I have also bought kits from them when they are on sale and have been very happy with them. I buy the smaller spools and they last a long time. A lot of thread on there.

Not only machines make a difference in how different threads act but the needle choice - style and brand. So just keep experimenting on your machine for the best results. I had a Kenmore that was a workhorse and would use any thread in a universal needle. Passed it on to DD when my Viking QDesignerll moved in and is it picky! A dream to sew and quilt with but must use Sulky or CT thread - No Coats and Clark.
Often if you're using 'good' thread and it is still breaking or shredding it is the style of needle. Eye too small or not elongated enough. Sometimes I have used a metalic needle with regular thread if the fabric is speciality fabric and the thread is breaking.

www.connectingthread.com is a wonderful website. They have a sale every week and I love their thread and fabric. I use the tubes which are 1200 yards per tube.

What is contraindicated? I am NOT in the nursing field.

contraindicated means not recommended.

I've never had Connecting Threads thread break on me.
I'm using it on a Janome MC4900qc if that helps any ;)

I have a few other friends that are using it as well and they haven't had any problems at all with it. I've been happy with it.

Ok, have a problem and wanted to see if anyone else has had the same problem.

I have several spools of Varigated thread from Connecting Threads. Today I was using it on my Handi-quilter. It seems like I can get the tension right on one color and you start sewing and reach the next color and the tension is off. Change the tension to work with that color and then the first color is no longer good on the tension. Needless to say it is impossible to keep changing the tension for each color.

So has anyone else had this problem? Is it the thread or me?

I like their thread alot and its very inexpensive too! They just came out with a new thread for long armers...I will try a spool that soon!

I had a lot of trouble with it but I tried it again on my old machine (Janome 3500) and didn't have trouble. Same machine I used the first time so maybe it was a bad spool. At any rate I'll be sure to try it again on my new machine.

Connecting Thread is a company that has thread,fabric,patterns etc.
I have purchased quite abit of their products and have been happy with most.
Here is their website www.ConnectingThreads.com
They also have a catalog that they send out.
I bought some of their thread but I'm having trouble with it. My machine didn't like it or else maybe it was just one of those days? So I'm going to give it another try before I decide about it. Hope this is helpful.
Also I thing who ever named Jelly Rolls,Honey Buns,turnovers, etc must have been hungry when they named them.
bye for now kjym Kathy

I love connecting thread. I used to only use cotton but after going to a APQS show and talking with dealers there I now mainly use poly.

If you are having trouble with the thread breaking, you may need to use another size of needle. If the thread and needle are not compatible, this will cause the thread to break. Try a needle size larger and see what happens.

I agree with Lauren. Since their thread is a little thicker I use Schmetz Quilting 90/14 and this seems to work better for me.

Do you mean for piecing you use that size? Maybe that's what I should try-a bigger needle...

I went ahead and ordered CT Essentials to try and I have to admit that it has been so much better than Coats and Clarke! My needle and bobbin case have not been clogged with lint since I've been using CT. I've done quite a bit of sewing with it in the last month so I'm quite pleased with it :)