I bought 3 sets of Essential thread and only after I placed the order did I realize that maybe it was machine quilting thread and not something suitable for piecing. I don’t machine quilt!

• Satin Finish-Double Mercerized for a stronger, more lustrous finish
• 100% Egyptian cotton, the highest quality cotton available
• Extra long staple produces a smoother thread with less lint
• 1200 yards! Size 50/3
• Fits standard sewing machine spindles.

Is this totally wrong for piecing?

I think 50 wt is for piecing, so I don't think you messed up, but I could be wrong.

50 is good for machine piecing. you could also use that size for machine quilting - that could be why they mentioned that in the comments.

Why don't you contact the company where you placed the order? They can tell you for sure and change the order if need be. Sounds like it's Connecting Threads and they are so accomodating.

Thank goodness! I thought it was ok and then after I ordered it I re-read “quilting” thread and thought “oh no!” I got twenty-five 1200 yd spools, The Black & White set, Neutral set, and Vintage set.

I thought I was going to have to learn how to machine quilt!!! :P

you might come to like machine quilting - you can do more quilts if you use the machine for everything :lol:

I think that would equate to LESS quilts. More quilts DONE, but less quilts if I spend time quilting them and not just making the tops. :lol:

we should team up on projects. you can do the tops and i'll do the machine quilting.

I love their thread but only for piecing. I can't seem to use it to machine quilt....thread breaking issues and waaay more lint than my machine likes.

Patti, I bought, um, a whole box of Essential threads, maybe 20 or more spools?...anyway, I did find that it is a bit linty, when I am piecing. I like it, otherwise, but was wondering, what do you use for quilting?

That's an idea. I just can't hand quilt all the tops I want to do and I haven't got around to finding someone to machine quilt them.

I thought I read somewhere that there was little lint with this thread because of the smooth/sheen finish on it? I haven't used it so I couldn't say but I hope it does well.

I use hand quilting thread for quilting since I haven't done it by machine.

I use that thread and like it much better for machine piecing and quilting than the 60 weight some idiot sold me (which was the bigger idiot? <g>)
You will do fine with this thread.

I use that for everything - piecing, quilting, clothing...

That's what I do too.

I buy their thread all the time and it is great for piecing. It works for machine quilting too. It's just a great all purpose thread.

Thanks everyone. I am glad to know that it's a universal thread and good for all I'd usually want to do with it. I would have hated to buy so much of it and not be what I really wanted.

I use Essentials neutral colors thread for piecing . I use thin bobbin thread in the bobbin. When I do my own machine quilting I use YLI silk thread on the mini cones. The silk thread makes my quilting look fantastic. I use wool batting with the silk thread. This is for the nicer quilts, not for the kids quilts or fun quilts.

I found a new thread called Glide that I really like for machine quilting. It's reasonable in price and lots of great colors.

i love YLI silk thread

I'm gonna have to try the YLI silk.. :D

I just bought 4 spools of this thread a couple of weeks ago. I like it. The price is right, too. At first, I thought it was a bit linty, I switched back to the thread I usually use, Mettler, and I think they are both about the same lint wise. I use it for piecing. The vintage set has some pretty colors in it.

I'm looking forward to receiving it. Not only to use it but to see all those colors arranged on my wooden spool holder. That's part of the joy of quilting, IMO. I love seeing the fabrics and colors all arranged in my sewing room. Sometimes I just sit and look at them and imagine the combinations.

i imagine color combo's too when we go to home depot though.

DH shops around and he lives me at the paint section so i can just play with the paint cards putting together different colors.

Hmmmm.... that gives me the idea to collect all of them for design tools. :D Nice little square cards to play with and put colors together.

I just happen to have a $500 Home Depot gift card sitting right in front of me on my laptop. Sounds like a shopping trip is in order for this weekend.

I use their thread for everything. It's a bit linty but nothing I can't handle. I wish they put more light colors in the neutral pkg. is my only concern.