For what it's worth, I was told by an industrial sewing machine guy that the newer machines have internal threading which creates more lint build up inside the machine. Machines that have external threading has less lint build up. The lint over time will cause the tension disc to get a groove in them causing tension problems. That is why it's important to have the internal threading machines serviced frequently to remove the lint from the tension discs that the sewer cannot see. So the less linty thread you can use for the newer machines the better.

I was told that polyester threads shouldn't be used because the temperature of the iron you use when pressing can melt/weaken the thread, That's why they always recommend cotton thread.

When I started, the instructor recommended using Dual Duty all-purpose thread by Coats & Clark.

I still use it.

My daughter had a quilt on her bed for 10 years - she also had big dogs - areas of the fabric have worn away, but I did not notice any damage along the seam lines. The Kona cotton fabric also survived well. What wore out was a tiger print on a fine feeling cotton.

Try sewing a couple of practice seams with various fabrics and various colors of thread. . I think I would match the thread to the background because it looks like there is a lot of it.

I don't much like to change threads or wind bobbins. Takes only seconds to do either one, but I still don't like ot.

For multi-color stuff, I use a color called "smoke" - or a light olivy greed.

The smoke looks like the color of the easter-egg-dye after it's gotten all muddied up.

i use many non-cotton threads on my quilts and never had an issue but as i say - 99% of my work is art quilts.

I love it. Works great for piecing and quilting. And the price is good too.

You know... I thought of that but I have to have the thread before I go to class tonite and I was afraid they would try roping me into buying the expensive thread in the store....you know... their "recommendations". I wanted to have some basis of knowledge before I head in there.

Thank you everyone for your responses. :)

I agree with any of the neutral threads, maybe a cream or beige if you are making the quilt in an ecru or beige.

I have been using Connecting Threads for years and love it, low fuzz, 100% cotton Egyptian long staple...really inexpensive compared to other big name threads. Recently bought a couple of their 5000yd cones that only cost $7.99 ...oh my gosh how can you beat that? Use the coupon code FPSHIP to get free shipping.

For the bobbin I highly recommend Superior Threads Bottom Line ... You can get it at a great price at Sewthankful.com it is cheaper there than from Superior threads. I have found that any of the lighter colored Bottom Line will work with light quilt backs and a darker thread will work for any dark fabrics.

Also, if you have any questions on threads, what kind to use cotton vs poly etc. Superior Threads has a great educational page.

Have a great time in your class and please post pix when you get your quilt going, we love photos.

warm quilt hugs, sue

My favorite thread is Aurafil. It's hard to lay out $10 for a spool but they last forever!!! It is also not the easiest item to find and when I do, there are limited colors available. But I can find grey, cream and white quite easily. For piecing I use grey primarily but with lighter fabrics, I use cream and white. If I'm sewing on a border of something like solid black or red, I do try to match the color as it seems to be more evident in borders than in piecing.

Some great Aurifil thread prices here....looks like lots of colors too

http://www.carmenwarehouse.com/shop/...ction=0&page=1

I have never used it, I hear lots of people love it.

They have so many weights available, and that is when I get stumped on which of the Aurifil threads to purchase... too many choices, LOL

Hope these prices are better than what you normally pay

warm quilt hugs, sue