I have noticed that the hand quilting thread that I purchase is not as heavy as the thread that my mother used when I was a child. The hand quilting thread that I find is just as thin as the regular sewing thread. I usually purchase my thread from Hancock fabric or Joann fabric. Is there a better place to purchase hand quilting thread that is heavier with lots of color selections? Remember ladies I am talking about HAND QUILTING thread NOT machine quilting thread.

Charlene, Hand quilting thread has it printed on the label.
It's definitely not the same as sewing thread.
I get it all over, Joann's, LQS, etc.
Joann's has different colors too.

Yes, definitely ask at your LQS or Joanne's (if you have a good one). The feel should be very different.

Yes, I know HAND QUILTING is printed on the label. That is what I am buying. I just do not remember it being this thin years ago. I am buying the HAND QUILTING thread.

Hmmmm,,,,, well I don't know how thread was years ago b/c nobody in my family quilted but the thread I buy is thicker than regular.
Sorry this isn't the help you needed :(

I buy the Americana brand at JoAnn's and I really like it. The Coats and Clark does not work as well. The Americana brand is like $1 per spool. I buy the bees wax too and run my thread through that before hand quilting.

In the years that I was hand quilting my avatar quilt (took me 6 yrs.) the coats and clark thread became thinner. An Amish quilter friend of mine who does a lot of hand quilting noticed the same thing. I don't remember what brand I bought next.

Gutterman hand quilting thread is one of the best. Maybe it would be closer to what you remember. It is 40wt (regular machine sewing thread is typically 50wt which is finer) and glazed. Here is a website showing the colors (scroll to see all of the colors):
http://www.redrockthreads.com/guterm...d-quilting.asp

I am using YLI Hand Quilting thread. I really like it. Hand quilting thread almost appears wire-y. That is good as it is strong and wont knot up as much if any. I love the YLI brand. Good luck.

I use and recommend the Americana thread .99 A SPOOL at JoAnn) Limited colors but very good quality.
I then run it thru Tacky Finger (or some other finger moistioner) the stuff they count money or papers with). Keeps it better control (no tangles) then bees wax or the other stuff.