Oops forgot to mention that even though aurifil is a 50 wt thread it is a little thinner than CT

I use Prescencia 60/3ply and I think it is a 75 needle.

Is there a reason you aren't using a larger needle?

Cheers, K

I am devoted to Aurifil 50 wt cotton thread (or Presencia 50 wt cotton) on top for machine piecing and Bottom Line, a very thin 60 wt Superior Threads poly, in the bobbin
I use Mettler cotton embroidery 60 wt for hand piecing
Connecting Threads have lovely colours, but are way too linty for me.

The only machine needles I use now are titanium 12s from Superior Threads

I've used both CT 50wt and Aurifil 50wt. Aurifil is a much thinner, finer 50wt - quite noticeable when you finger it. Part of the reason is that Aurifil is 2 ply and CT is 3 ply, but I think overall Aurifil is a better quality long staple than CT. I found CT to be so linty after just a few yards that I couldn't see what I was doing (and I was using a larger needle). I traded it all away and have converted to Aurifil.

When I look at a spool of CT I can see the little fuzzy hairs on the thread - still on the spool. It also has a dull finish. These reasons combined with the results of using the thread lead me to believe that it is not a quality long staple thread. Look at a spool of Aurifil - smooth, bright and lots of sheen to it. Beautiful stuff.

I like Superior Threads' "Masterpiece Thread" for piecing.

Connecting threads is thicker and breaks easy.
I use
Coats and Clarks and it works fine for both piecing and free motion. Its the better quality dual duty with the pop up top.

The Aurifil is the same weight but it is only 2 ply where most are 3ply. It is a very strong thread though. I started using it because I was doing CW quilts and I couldn't get those little blocks to come out the right size. My teacher checked what I was doing and my cutting and piecing was right on. She suggested changing thread and I couldn't believe how much one less ply made a difference. I also applique with it because it blends better and its great for quilting. I have connecting thread for when size isn't such a factor and I normally use a universal needle even when I made my batik quilted jacket. You can't go wrong with Aurifil. Sometimes you do have to play around with the needle size.

I have always used Mettler silk-finish for piecing but recently decided to try Aurefil and am a convert! It was amazing how much longer each bobbin lasted before I had to change it so I saved time and could keep sewing. I am never going back.

I do use CT thread for my long arm and it loves it. I did try something else for one quilt and had a lot of trouble. I know CT is linty so I just clean out the bobbin area more often. It's worth to have thread that doesn't keep breaking.

I use Aurifil and Prescencia for piecing with a 75/11 quilting needle. The only time I use a smaller needle is with invisible threads and then I'll go down to a 60/8 microtex needle.

I just finished doing some blanket stitch with a size 12 thread and a 100/16 needle! I really could have used a bigger needle but that was the biggest one I had.