When you quilt by machine do you use regular thread or quilting thread?

I use the polyester 40wt for the machine quilting but just because I love the shine of polyester.

I use cotton thread for quilting....it's stronger and holds up better to all the stresses of machine quilting.

I typically use Sulky varigated thread. It's polyester.

Just make sure its machine quilting thread. The hand quilting thread doesn't work in machines.

you can quilt with what ever thread you prefer- except hand quilting thread- which has (wax) a coating on it that is not good for your machine.
most (long-armers) use polyester threads...they hold up to the faster speed of the machine- cotton thread tends to break every couple inches (although some have figured out ways to use it)
some even use silk thread to quilt with. as long as it is strong- and the color/ weight you want - you can give it a try....the new glow in the dark threads are fun to quilt with- some people use invisible threads and even metallics...be adventurous and try everything that catches your eye!

I quilt on a longarm using cotton thread (mostly from Connecting Threads but also Star brand and others) and Metro embroidery thread, as well as Bottom Line, water soluble thread, and whatever else is available. I used the same threads when I quilted on a DSM.

I use the thread that gives me the color and effect that I want - cotton or poly, fine or thick, matte or shiny.

Like someone else already said, you don't want to use the glazed hand-quilting thread in your machine - not only can the glazing gum up the tension disks and needle, but the twist is opposite to thread used for machine quilting and it's nothing but trouble to use it in your machine.

But, other than that, I use whatever I want. :)

Just make sure you're not using hand quilting thread. It's glazed and not meant to go through a machine.

i use any thread that is the right color.... since i have so many colors of cotton thread, mostly i quilt with cotton. but i use prewounds in the bobbin most of the time. my quilts are definitely not show quality.