Different Weights of Clear Thread?
 

Sorry to be a pest lately. A few months ago, I used clear thread for the quilting and it worked fine. I don’t remember the brand I used. I ran out and bought some polyester by Coats. Wow! I’m having a terrible time with it! It’s like working with a hair, literally. I can barely feel it between my fingers and can only see it from an advanced yoga position. I’m not having a problem threading the machine with it but filling a bobbin with it is tortuous. It's much thinner than thread; the bobbin holds twice as much clear as regular thread.

Are there different weights? I’m thinking maybe I bought a heavier weight the first time. I don’t see anything on the spool that indicate there’s a weight to it.

There are no pests here!
I'm glad you asked this question, because I no longer do yoga, and I'm curious about different weights also. I'm not even sure if they are all made of polyester... or if they all can stretch a lot when loading the bobbin?

I use Beachwood nylon clear thread. It hold very well and easy to work with. I did not see any indication of weight for this thread. Be careful with the bobbins. This thread stretches a great deal. If the bobbin thread is stretching to much you quilt will buckle some.

How do you avoid the stretching? I’m working with blocks of rainbow colors so using a colored thread—even a neutral color—would really disturb the colors of the blocks.

There has to be some difference because the first one i used I had no problems with. And I know I didn't age That much in a few months. Maybe the first thread was nylon and this is polyester. i asked about ironing in a different thread last week and someone said that you can iron polyester but not the other kind. Maybe that's the difference in weight?

Monofiliment thread comes in different sizes (as opposed to weights) when it is nylon. The only exception I know of is Superior's Monopoly which is polyester and is designated as 100 wt which is the equivelent of a silk thread. This website helps explain the different sizes. https://www.thethreadexchange.com/miva/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Category_Code=monofilamen t-information

Personally I prefer the super fine monofilament but I only use it for ditching. I have yet to do all of my quilting with a mono and I probably never will, opting instead for a super fine thread like Invisifil by Wonderfil, Micro quilter by Superior or silk but I find the price of silk expensive so I reserve it for hand applique. I would not use monofilament in the bobbin. Use a fine thread like Decobob (by wonderful) in the bobbin. When I quilt with mono I usually use a 60 wt in the bobbin but I use a longarm.

A super fine thread like the 3 I have mentioned above, in a neutral color like a sage green, gold or gray will not detract from rainbow colored blocks. It sinks in and blends.

wow...lots of good info.
Thanks Juliasb & Feline

I use Aurifil monofilament thread from Superior Threads. It is 100 wt. I never use it in the bobbin. Ive heard too many horror stories of winding bobbins way too tight because of the thread stretching while winding and doing damage to the machine. I use bottom line or an Aurifil 60 wt thread in my bobbins

Another Monopoly girl here. I've used the clear and smoke threads. How is the thread wrapped on the spool? You want to create some distance so the thread can Un wind without kinks. You might try a thread net too.

Tips here.

https://www.superiorthreads.com/vide...-thread-holder

https://www.byannie.com/monopoly-invisible-thread

I use Superiors' Monopoly.....have never had trouble with it but I don't use it in the bobbin...instead I use aurafil 50wt thread as it is (I think) 2 ply so it is nice and thin when stitched.I also use a net over my spool just to help it unwind in an orderly manner!!

I'm really a novice quilter, so this might not be applicable to your problem. I tried to use the Coats Transparent thread to zig-zag around a Dresden plate block and did not like the result. It stretched and mangled the block. So, I removed it and went another route.

Later on, I bought Gutermann Invisible for quilting a multicolored I spy quilt with a walking foot on my domestic machine. I matched the bobbin thread (just regular thread) to the backing and used the Gutermann in the top thread. It worked perfectly. I would do it again.

bkay

edit: The Gutermann has a little texture to it and the Coats is very slick, which may account for the difference in handling. Neither spool has any kind of weight or measurement on it regarding it's thickness, but the Coats feels smaller, but it could be the texture component that makes it feel that way.

I use a clear nylon and poly thread both in my bobbin. The trick to threading a bobbin is you need to build up the spool pin with an empty thread spool so that your clear thread comes straight across the machine to your bobbin winder. Do not go up through the tall thread guide. Then only wind your bobbin half full. This is the way I was taught and I never have any problems loading a bobbin.

I have found a problem with some brands feeling stiff and do not work well with my machine. I usually use regular thread in the bobbin when using invisible thread on the top and it does well.

I've never used that clear thread but you are not a pest! :)

I just finished my third quilt using Superior clear Monopoly on top and in the bobbin. It is crazy difficult for me to thread the machine, but once I overcome that challenge, it works great for me. I use it on my Juki 2200 longarm. I loosen the tension some on the bottom and top. Actually, I really, really like the Monopoly.....I would never use the nylon.

a good trick to threading is a dab of black on the end is it is visible. use a marking pen for this and then trim it off.

I'm just curious "mindless" what does thread use have to do with yoga?