Monofilament Thread vs Invisible Thread
 

Is there a difference between the two? I was trying to do some FMQ with Sulky Invisible thread. The top thread kept breaking. I'm taking a Craftsy class on machine quilting. Wendy Butler Berns is the instructor and she recommended monofilament thread for some projects. Was I doing something wrong that the top thread kept breaking?

They're just different names for the same thing. No matter what you call it it's a pain to use. If you were feeding the thread off the end of the spool that could be why it was breaking. That causes it to twist and break.

That's what I was doing. What is another option?

It needs to come off the side of the spool so that it keeps some tension.

So I put the spool of thread on the side of the machine? What keeps it from falling over?

Put your spool in a cup behind your machine, then it can feed off the end like a horizontal spool would. I'm having to do this some spools of thread I purchased recently. It was twisting as it came off the vertical spool pin and my machines don't have horizontal pins.

You put the spool on the upright spool holder so the thread comes off the side of the spool instead of off the end.

I always put the monofilament thread spool in a coffee cup behind the sewing machine. It's been my experience that if you put it on the sideways spool holder, you may need a thread sock to keep it from spilling out and over the spool.

I've used monofiliament, polyester and nylon invisible thread. I'm quilting now with Aurofil nylon. I really like it. I almost always use invisible thread for the top thread.

I was taught to FMQ with monofilament thread and found it pain in the backside. It makes for a stiffer quilt and if you are wanting a softer hand, a baby/child quilt, you might find that cotton or rayon is a better choice. It is really a matter of personal choice so decide what you like and go for it. No quilt police here as far as I know.

d

you do have to adjust the tension and maybe even use a net over the spool of thread. try changing position of spool from vertical to horizontial

the monofulament poly is not stiff

you may still need the "sock" that comes with the thread to keep it from pooling around the spool as it comes off of it. I have yet to try FMQ with invisible thread. good luck.

I took a thread course a number of years ago at my LQS, and monofiliament thread was discussed. The instructor advised us that polyester is a better choice over nylon. If you check the Superior Threads web site and look up the information on monifiloment, you will find poly thread is preferred for reasons such as being pliable, dryer safe, will not get brittle and so on.

I have been advised and requested to never use this type of thread on a quilt for a child younger than 6. It is because if the thread becomes loose the child can become entangled, the thread won't break and there could be serious injury.

I use YLI invisible threads and put it on a single thread stand behind my machine. I run the thread through the loop at the top of the stand over to my embroidery thread stand and then to my machine. Going through 2 thread stands seems to keep the twisting under control. I use it for stitch in the ditch., free motion stippling and designs, and binding.
Good luck.

I've also heard that you have to slow your machine down when using this thread. Going fast heats it up, also check on the type and size of needle. I started using inpira needles because the top of the eye is flat so the thread has a flat service to glide on and not a pointed one as most needles have for the eye.