Invisible Thread
 

If I use nylon invisible thread to quilt the layers together, will that reduce the wear? Another way to ask, does it cut fabric when it is being washed? Thanks for any information you have.

I've never used it for piecing, just for quilting, so I don't know. Hope someone can come up with an answer.

I think you'll find that over time the thread may become brittle and eventually break. I don't think it's recommended for quilting.

I've only used it for wallhangings so my only maybe-minimally-useful comment would be that it seems like it would be scratchy in a bed or lap quilt.

I often use Aurifil invisible thread in my needle when free motion quilting. Aurifil's invisible thread is made of nylon. I have only been quilting for 3 years; but so far, those quilts are holding up fine. I don't know about long term.

Harriet Hargrave has quilted many quilts using nylon monofilament thread. YLI brand is a good one. For nylon, you need a thread that is as fine as hair; the nylon threads sold in stores is usually way too thick.

Nylon may yellow somewhat over the years and may also become brittle; however, in general it holds up pretty well. I have seen no evidence that it cuts into the fabric. You do not want to use nylon monofilament in baby quilts just in case a thread gets pulled out; it is so fine and strong, it can wrap around a baby's toe or finger and cut off circulation.

The experience I have had with polyester invisible thread is that it is not as fine or transparent as nylon. I tried it for machine applique but do not like it as much as nylon for that purpose. Quilting with it may be a different story. The advantages of polyester over nylon are that it won't yellow and won't become brittle over time.

I have used the polyester invisible and have been happy with it. I have quilts that areat least 10 years old and that have been washed many times - no issues so far!

Thanks all! I’m off to find some polyester invisible thread. Hope JoAnn’s has it.

I wouldn't use joann's, superior has a good polyester. I think joanns just has sulky and if I remember it is not as good, I would get a good quality poly

Good quilt stores should have Superior MonoPoly. It is wonderful. Read Superior.com for tips using it.

I have been warned to never use it for baby quilts as it is possible their little fingers and toes can caught in a loop accidentally. That's all I have ever heard about it.

When I use invisible thread, I only use it for the top thread and use a "regular" thread in the bobbin. I am not sure why I do that, but it always works well for me. I think my sister, an experienced quilter, is the one who said I would have the best results if I did it this way.

Is this a common practice?

Dina

I have used it in the bobbin as well; however, there are some tips about using it in the bobbin. Because nylon monofilament stretches, it's a good idea to wind the bobbin slowly. (Fast winding will stretch it.) Metal bobbins are the best because they are less likely to distort at the edges. Even with metal bobbins, you should stop winding before the bobbin is full; two-thirds full is good. Depending on your machine and how the thread was wound, you may need to loosen the bobbin tension, although I don't need to do this on my Bernina 1230.

When I use invisible thread on the top, I use cotton thread in my bobbin. Someone told me to do this but I don't remember why. It does work fairly well and maybe it would wear longer this way.

I use the polyester invisible thread also, it feels so much finer than the nylon!!!!

I have both YLI nylon monofilament, which I have used for years, and a couple of brands of polyester invisible thread -- including Superior. Nylon monofilament looks and feels finer than any of the polyester threads I have tried. It makes me wonder what kind of nylon thread people have been using. I believe there are only two good brands of nylon monofilament thread -- the YLI and one other (and the brand name escapes me at the moment). These were the only brands that Harriet Hargrave recommended in her book on machine quilting years ago (have not read the updated version, so maybe she has changed this).

Same here, Polyester invisible thread.