I usually use a cotton thread and haven't had any problems.

What is your favorite thread to use?

I only use cotton thread for piecing & machine quilting ... I've never had a problem w shrinking

I've used Gutermann, Mettler, YLI, Aurifil, Essentials (by Connecting Threads) & the newer Coats cotton. Probably some others too but can't think of them right now

A good quality mercerized long-staple thread should not give you any problems :)

I was told to always match your thread to your fabric - e.g. 100% cotton fabric, use 100% cotton thread. The reasoning is that this way they wear the same over the life of the quilt. Otherwise... the world ends or something :)

Yes, cotton shrinks, andthat goes for cotton batting as well as cotton fabric and cotton thread. Usually they all shrink nicely together, and not by very much. Batting manufacturers put the percentage of shrinkage on their labels-- usually 2-5%.

I've been making quilts since 1969 and I've made hundreds and hundreds of quilts. They've all been quilted with cotton thread, and I've never had a problem. Most were hand quilted, many were machine quilted.

I use miles and miles of cotton thread. I've been a longarm quilter for the last 5 years, and I buy 6000 yds of a color at a time, 108 colors in stock at all times. I'm a threadaholic.

This is so interesting to me, because I pre-wash both my batting and fabric and still get more crinkle than I would like, and it never occurred to me that it could be the thread!

Wow! I've not thought about thread shrinking either.

I've used tons of 100% cotton thread for quilts and for garments that have been washed many times and have never had a problem. I do use Aurafil for quilts and Aurafil or Gutermann (depending on what I have/can get in the color I need) for garments.

I've found that some people like to blame problems on shrinkage that was actually problems with low quality materials. JMHO

I agree with k3n as far as technically fabrics and threads should match. That means all the cotton we quilters covet should be pieced and quilted with cotton thread. When buying cotton thread buy long-staple, mercerized. You won't have problems with shrinkage or color run from the thread. This is coming from a textile point. Give up all your Coats and Clark lint-producing thread. Go to a good quality all cotton, mercerized thread and you'll probably never have any problems.