FMQ thread...again
 

After using the search function and going back through a number of threads about the right kind of thread to use for FMQ, I'm still at a loss.

Most of what is mentioned in those messages, I can't get around here. Our fabric store only has the standard thread displays. Am I really going to have to mail order or is there something I can use from the fabric store that will work?


Thanks, Watson

100% cotton Guterman 50wt/3ply (sold at JAF) will work. The issue with that is that it sheds like crazy so you need to be constantly cleaning out the thread run & bobbin case/compartment. An 80/12 quilting needle will pair well with it on most machines. Some machines prefer a 90/14 needle with it.

I personally like Aurifil 40wt/2ply (sold at my LQS and also online at http://www.hawthornethreads.com/). I use their 50wt/2ply also when I don't want the quilting to show up quite as much. Aurifil thread is absolutely beautiful thread that comes in over 250 colors. The 2ply means I can use a smaller needle (quilting or microtex 70/10) & it barely sheds at all; plus, it's colorfast with reasonable care. But it definitely isn't a "must have".

Try what's available and decide which works best for you. I don't know if there's one "right thread" for everyone. A lot depends on personal preferences and availability.

I have learned almost everything I know about quilting from the internet - the only thing I did get some hands-on instruction (a couple of hours lesson in a LQS) was FMQ. I had seen before that there is special thread for machine quilting but was told that I only need to use special thread for hand quilting. For FMQ I could use any good quality thread. What they had right there for me to buy from them and use was Gutermann, but I have since used just any thread I had at home.

I don't believe there is a 'right kind' of thread for sewing or quilting, unless one is doing a special technique, like hand embroidery. Those who do artistic thread 'painting' use all sorts of thread. Teachers and shops will tell us there is, mainly because that's what they sell. It's the same with artists paints and the like - and they generally cost more as well. My machines use whatever I have at the time, and I have had no problems with any.

Nothing wrong with mail order. 99% of my quilting supplies are bought online. My local stores don't carry what I want and I refuse to buy only what the store owners want me to buy. What is more important then what brand of thread you use is matching the needle size to thread size. I use all brands of thread, but my favorite for fmq is Glide.

The only one you can't use is Hand Quilting Thread, which has a wax coating and will gum up your machine. Beyond that you can quilt with whatever thread you want.

you have lots of quilting and sewing supply options in your area. go in to the shops and you will meet enthusiastic sewists who are happy to share their knowledge and experiences.
i love to use many different threads to quilt. its like having the jumbo box of crayons to play with.
sulky, yli and guterman are all really nice to use and most quiltshops in my area also carry either aurifil or wonderfil. try them all and pick ones you like to use. (rayon is pretty but not very strong. lots of people love poly and pick your thickness according to what you want it to look like would be the only guidelines you need to consider)

coffeecozy....perhaps you could PM me the name of the shops in my area besides Fabricland and Len's?

Thanks, Watson

I understand the problem with living in Canada. Have you checked out eBay in Canada?? I use Mettler silk-finished thread because that is what the dealer told me when I bought my Bernina. It does NOT like C&C or Gutterman. I have NOT quilted with Aurifil 50 but my Bernina likes the thread which I have been using piecing.

I use Metro brand machine embroidery thread(poly) for all my FMQ, I've never had any problems with breaking, etc. I love it because they have tons of colors and you can't beat their prices and customer service.

I agree with Bre123....I've been using 100% cotton Gutterman 50wt/3ply for years. I have an Innova quilting machine and it works well for me. I use it for piecing on my Brother 1500S. An added plus is you can always use your 50% off coupons if it's not on sale. I always buy one if I can't find anything else!

There are lots you can use. While I've found that SoFine by Superior is the easiest to machine quilt with I have also used other brands for different effects. I've used Superior: So Fine, King Tut, Masterpiece, and others. Mettler: Silky finished cotton and Polyester, Sulky: blendables and metallic (metallic is very difficult) I've even resorted to *gasp* Dual Duty. I have a large bag of Dual Duty thread that I used for general sewing and when I've been in the middle of a wall hanging at night and need a color I'll look in that bag. The biggest factor is what will your machine handle? Some machines are touchy. Fortunately none of mine have been touchy (singer, brother, janome and I'm very good at adjusting tension. It helps to have a thin polyester (SoFine 50 ) in the bobbin. That seems to ease things along. If I were going to order one thread for machine quilting I'd order the SoFine 50. I have a few big spools of Sofine in neutral colors.
http://www.superiorthreads.com/produ...Fc1ffgod2UYIqw

With some of the threads, cotton, dual duty, you need to clean out your bobbin area more frequently. I say try what you have and see if it works.

I know it isn't considered "good" by many, and it turns out to be more expensive, but my machines (mechanical) are not fussy on thread and I mostly use Coats and Clark cotton for FMQ. It is easy to come by. It doesn't appear to be extra linty in my machines. I have used other brands, some by mail order, like Sulky, and that works fine too. Best bet is to try what you can get and see how it goes.

What seems to be the problem with the thread you're using? If it is shredding try a larger eye needle like top stitch. I use nearly any thread for free motion, large cotton spools from Fabric Land even work fine. Some do have more lint. If thread is breaking instead of shredding it may be tension.

Have you considered Connecting Threads? They currently have 3325 yard cones of 100% poly 30% off. That's just $4.19 each. I've been using it for piecing and fmq for about 3 years. I love it. It's strong and quilts up beautifully.

I guess I'm lucky... my Janome isn't too fussy. I took a FMQ with Leah Day last April and she introduced us to Isacord. I can't get it at my LQS so I order it online. I only use it for FMQing but my machine and I love it. I also like Aurafil.

I have used Aurifil, YLI, DMC, So Fine, Gutermann's and Coats and Clark. My machine does not get along with CC at all- I threw that thread away. Gutermann is fine, I just personally prefer the others especially for piecing. I think I have seen posts here on QB where calculations had figured that Aurifil is cheaper by the yard vs Gutermann. What I like/love---Aurifil is thinner, less lint, the bobbin holds more, reducing time filling bobbins, that is a big plus for me. I do agree What ever works best for you and your machine.

Buying thread in a small spool is an expensive item. If you are only quilting for yourself, your are probably spending a little more than the large cones, but if you are doing full size or quilting for other people, you really need to buy the larger cones. On my Gammill, I could use just about anything with it.

Don't use serger thread either. I prefer Aurifil 40wt, King Tut and YLI 40wt. cotton threads for FMQ.
Sharon in Texas