Hand quilting thread question
 

I don't hand quilt but am making a top to give to my mom to handquilt, since she enjoys it. I'm not sure if the thread will be white or red; will decide that later. What thread do you recommend for the quilting? Thanks.

And Happy Mother's Day to all you moms!

I use the hand quilting thread - brand depends of the color I need. Years ago there was a store called TG&Y, they had a brand that I liked, can't remember the name. it was something like "Americana Hand Quilting Thread". But that was about 25 years ago, and haven't found it since.

I don't hand quilt, but instead give my hand quilting to a lovely Mennonite friend. I pay her (of course) and must provide the thread and she will ONLY use YLI quilting thread.

YLI is supposed to be good.

I use the same Gutterman's Poly that I use for piecing. If I want a more visible design, I use Gutterman's Top Stitching thread.

I use Coats & Clark for hand sewing my binding to the back. I only once hand quilted and I wasn't happy with the results. I needed time for more practice but the trouble is WHEN......

I know I'm picky - an only like YLI GLAZED COTTON HAND QUILTING THREAD. YLI has threads for different purposes.

Ask your Mom what she would prefer and get that.

If she doesn't care - glazed cotton in important - it threads nicely and slides thru the fabric nicely. I do prefer YLI or Gutterman because the thread is a bit heavier. YLI is also cheaper than Gutterman when you're comparing the 2 spools and account for yardage. YLI spools have more thread on them.

Unfortunately, no one sells it locally, and i do have to order it online - but the place i get it from (Rose Rushebrook) sends it out quickly and i have it w/in a few days. The shipping fees are reasonable, too.

I have about 7 different colors of the Coats and Clarks. I am happy with it, and like that the spools are color coded so that I do not accidentally use it in the machine.

if your mom enjoys hand quilting I would ask her what thread she prefers- since it is her that is going to be using it- some people really like a certain thread- others something totally different. and it depends on how you want to quilting to look- heavy thread so the quilting thread really stands out- or a finer thread so the texture shows but the thread is not as pronounced.

I use Coats and Clarks for all my hand quilting.

My Joann's carries America in several diff colors for .99/spool. On 50% off thread sales, it's only .50.

YLI for the win, for sure.

gutterman when that's what i can find.

aileen

I used Americana for a long time until I switched to quilting on dark fabric. The thread seems to catch the batting and causes bearding. So, after being frustrated with that thread, I switched to Gutermann for hand quilting and have been very pleased with it. There is some bearding with a new length of thread, but it is gone after a few stitches. I also like how it doesn't tangle up - as long as I tie the knot in the end that is furthest from the spool. Americana was always knotting and tangling up on me no matter what end the knot was in.

Gutermann 50 wt. 100% cotton thread works well for my hand quilting.

I don't think the American thread is a glazed cotton thread. Gutterman and YLI are both glazed cottons and why they don't knot up. While YLI is my go-to favorite, the Gutterman is an OK 2nd choice because it is also glazed cotton.

Me being a hand quilter. I have guttermans Thread. I've never used anything else. I've seen other hand quilting thread. But seems to always buy guttermans.

Quiltingcandy.... JoAnn's still carries the Americana Hand Thread. I like that thread. I'm currently using the Chestnut to hand quilt a autumn leaf themed wallhanging. I tend to use what ever thread I have on hand. I have a small box of cone threads here in the house and I actually have a large box of it in the storage unit someplace.... which is packed about 7 feet high & is way over my head I'm lucky to stand at 5'4 on a good day. LOL.

Tricia

I prefer the Guttermann but have used C&C as well as Americana brands. Americana is a much heavier weight thread than either of the other two and can be a bit difficult to quilt with depending on your batting. Not impossible, but doesn't 'glide' quite as well as the others. I find the C&C to be a lighter weight than the Guttermann and hence find that it does not show up quite as well. But bottom line for me is finding the color I want! Sometimes I have to go with one of the least preferred brands to get the color I want for the project I'm doing at the time.

I'm in the "Ask Mom" corner.