Newly quilted quilt already coming apart
 

I'm a newbie....my 3rd quilt top that I put together I sent to my daughter. She had it quilted by a lady in Kentucky last month. It is already coming apart! I made pillow shams to match which I sent with the quilt to be quilted. I noticed when I put the binding on the shams that the quilter used whatever you call that thread that looks like fishing line. She used that on one side and regular thread on the bottom. Is this a common practice? What I am thinking is that the fishing line thread is severing the regular thread when my daughter lounges on rop of her quilt. Any ideas? Such a waste of my time....how is it going to be fixed without having to resort to some hand tacking????

The quilter probably used a nylon thread, a common practice for a while in the early 1990s. Most quilters stopped doing this when they began to have some of the same problems you're noticing. The thread manufacturers began to make a softer nylon thread, but still many quilters had decided to forego using nylon threads by then.

Next time, be sure that your longarmer is using good quality cotton thread. As a matter of fact, if it were me, I'd be using a different quilter, LOL!

Jan in VA

I think I would be contacting the quilter and asking what the problem is...

It is called monofilament or "invisible" thread. Some quilters use it; I find it hard to deal with. But is acceptable to do it like that. I don't have a lot of experience with it, but I'm sure it's not supposed to come apart even if you are laying on top. The thread should NOT be severing the bobbin thread. You or your daughter should talk to the quilter about it.

I would take it to the quilter and show it to her...

did your daughter request invisible thread when she contacted the quilter? quilter's usually use what is requested. it could probably be re-quilted if need be...with regular thread instead of invisible thread. i quilted a quilt for my son years ago which i used invisible thread on- i wound up re-quilting it 3 times before i finally replaced all of the invisible thread ... i hate that stuff! guess it might be ok to use on wall hangings- but i would never again use it on a *used* quilt. but there is a chance your daughter requested it-so that's what she got- the quilter should be notified and talked to-she may be willing to re-quilt it with regular quilting thread.

i never use monofilament and this is just one reason why... the second reason is that they are not designed to be used on a bed...wallhangings only.... and i still wouldn't do it...

This is interesting....I use monofilament almost exclusively in quilts of all kinds because I like the look of the quilting without having the thread colors detract from the designs. I have never had a problem with any of them coming apart.

I used it for the first time on a wall hanging.I will never use it again either. I like seeing the thread. And also it is hard to see and use.

I took a FMQ class in November and our teacher told us to use monofiliment thread on our quilts. You do use regular thread in the bobbin. teacher said she has been using this thread for ages and ages. She has experience of 25+ years in quilting and runs the quilting classes at 2 big stores. I do not think it is the thread, ask the long arm quilter what the problem could be.

Well, this is a sad situation. I made the quilt for my daughter...her MIL arranged for the quilter, (daughter had not requests made as to the thread etc), who was in her church, MIL is a quilter also. Since taking possession of the quilt my daughter got left by her husband. So, MIL and quilter are not in the picture. I am just sick about the situation. So, I'm gathering, it can be requilted? I told my daughter to just to take care of it and continue to monitor it.

I've also used monofilament threads (polyester, not nylon) with no problems. One thing is that you have to really secure the beginning and end of a quilting line, because the thread works loose easily. Could it be that this is what is happening, rather than that the thread is cutting the bottom thread?

Harriet Hargrove is a an award winning Master Quilter and author and has been using Monofilament for many many years. I have used it on several things and never had a problem.

I am a longarmer......that being said.....mono thread is not my choice of thread-not even for wallhangings. Our sisters of the past used cotton thread for quilting and it has lasted up to today (in most cases). I love the look of thread blending with the fabric.....gives another dimension to the quilt. The trouble with mono is when one stops sewing a "line" and proceeds to make the machine or hand knot the mono thread does not knot....because of its composition you cannot tug at it like "REGULAR" thread and get a tight knot, therefore, you get unraveling in the future....I think that is what is happening to your daughter's quilt. Unless you requested mono thread, I would suggest you return to the quilter and see what can be done........if she only uses mono thread - say goodbye........and not recommend her to anyone.......JMHO

it looks like you will need to quilt it again. i've only used invisible thread for wall hangings. not a quilt that will get a lot of use and washings.