Favorite thread for hand piecing
 

I'm brand a new quilter and I am hand piecing an Ohio Star lap quilt. I realized that I have bought 2 different kinds of thread from Joann's. the both say on the spool for quilting projects. what are the rules for purchasing thread? Thanks in advance.

I think you can use what works best for you. I've used a lot of different threads for hand piecing, including Coats and Clark, hand quilting thread, and 50 weight Aurifil. My least favorite was hand quilting thread - it was harder too pull through. I have some Presencia 3 ply 60 weight that I'm going to try next.

Janet

Thank you for the help. I have found the same problem with the hand quilting thread. I was wondering if it was just me.

I have tried all the expensive brands of hand quilting thread and keep going back to the cheap Americana hanD quilting thread that Joannes sells for 99cents!! It frays less, tangles less and breaks less...I think hard to pull through is just a normal thing when hand quilting..I have found that running my thread thru "thread Heaven" helps greatly. Also I use John James Easy glide needles..the thread, thread treatment and needles can make a big difference in ease of quilting

I don't mean to sound stupid, but what is thread heaven?

Not stupid at all.I learned about it myself here. It is a thread conditioner you run your thread through. I keeps it from fraying and tangling and makes it easier to sew and thread your needle..It comes in a little blue plastic box. Joannes carries it by the needle threaders. It is usually about $3.49, and lasts forever!! I used to use bees wax to condition my thread, but this is 1000 times better.

Thread heaven is a thread conditioner. It comes in a little blue box. It should be in the notions. It aids greatly in reducing tangling when handsewing. Beeswax also works.

I love Mettler Silk Finish (100% Cotton) thread for hand piecing, it doesn't tangle as much as other threads I have tried ( I am lazy and probably have my thread waaaay to long, but the Mettler works for me LOL)

For me, there's a difference in hand piecing andhand quilting. For the piecing, I would use regular thread that goes on to my machine. When I am hand quilting - i only use YLI glazed cotton thread.

I only use my sewing machine, but isn't thread labeled "hand quilting" for the actual quilting process, not piecing? Just curious.

Becca just answered my question.

I only do my work by hand. I enjoy doing my work by hand because I can take it to work and do it on my lunch hour. Do you use the same thread for piecing and the quilting part?

Thank you Becca. That's exactly my next question. So you use different thread for piecing. Thank you so much. I love this board.

OOPS! So much for reading carefully! What info I gave was for what I use to hand quilt..I use regular cotton thread to piece

as long as the thread you choose is strong (doesn't break when you give it a tug) fits your needle & is the right color you want to use - you can use what ever thread you want to piece with- some people like a thin/fine thread (like 50-60wt thread for piecing- because it is fine-does not distort the seams- some people like 30 or 40 wt- personally i piece with silk thread- but that is just my choice-
hand quilting thread is often a heavier thread- but does come in finer weights (the higher the wt number the thinner/finer the thread- so 30 wt thread is twice as thick/heavy as 60 wt)
hand quilting thread should never be used in a machine- it has a waxy coating on it to help it glide through the fabric by hand-which can gum up & cause damage to your machine.
if you visit the thread company sites (like Superior Threads) they have free charts that tell you about the different threads, what they are good for, the differences in needles, what needle to use with which thread- they are a very good resource- & free.