Denim Quilt - Thread to Use
 

Hi, I have done very little true quilting. A small baby blanket, a little piece work here and there. I'm now taking on a king-size denim quilt. Well, first I'm going to make it as a duvet cover and if it's not too heavy I'll add batting and actually quilt it.

For now I'm just worried about thread for the seams. I've read that with quilts it's best to use 100% cotton thread instead of polyester. Is that true? Do I need to use a 12 weight thread for my piecing?

I never actually sew denim to denim; the denim blocks are all separated by a black Kona cotton strip.

The jeans I'm using are of course a variety of shades. Not sure if I should go with grey, black, a medium blue, or try to match the different shades of denim.

Thanks for any input.

I use 100% cotton thread on my denim quilts, because I try to use 100% cotton denim. More specifically, I use a medium blue Metler Silk Finish color #789. But I think you could probably use a polyester thread with denim. I don't like to use denim top-stitch thread. That stuff never looks good on the back, and is hard on your machine.

I think 12 weight would be way too heavy. I have made lots of denim bags and used a 40 wt.

Thanks for pointing me away from the 12 weight. I am looking into the Mettler and also the 40wt King Tut thread.

12 wt definitely too heavy...40 wt is whist I use with denim...

I've made denim quilts with cotton and poly threads, both work just fine. 12 weight is WAY too heavy for piecing. I generally use 40, 50 or 60 weight thread for all my piecing unless I'm working with fine fabrics/thread then I use 100 weight silk threat

Yep I would go with a forty weight for regular jeans sewing but maybe 35 for tops stitching seams to look cute.

I used 40 weight when I made a quilt top using denim. King Tut thread has gotten lots of good reviews here on QB.

Thanks for all the help. One more question. How do I know how many yards I'll need? Is there a rule of thumb? A calculator on the internet? I have no idea how many yards a king size quilt will take.

Thanks!

I have used regular "all purpose" threads for sewing denim -

I mostly use the "old" cotton covered polyester Coats & Clark Dual Duty thread - because that's what I have on hand.

It has worked very well for me.