Polyester Thread
 

Last week or so I asked a question about different threads and was amazed at the prices. Many wrote back saying they had switched to polyester thread because it gave off less lint and was cheaper. So at Walmart yesterday on my way to the garden department I passed the clearance aisle and there was a box of "Mainstays Overlocking Thread" 100% polyester thread with 3000 yds to a spool for .25 cents each. I grabbed two light grays and figured they would be good for piecing if nothing else. I'll try them on a practice muslin piece for quilting. Not sure if all Walmarts have these on clearance, but figured it could hurt to try them out.

"overlock" thread is intended for sergers - I think.
some of it is a bit fuzzy and stretchy.
i have used some as top thread in straight-line quilting.
the stuff i had was too thick for piecing.

that said ... i'll be very interested to read your test results.
at a quarter a spool/cone, that's quite a score. :-)

Be careful as most serger threads are meant to be used with two or more other cones. The one cone is weaker. Give it a good test for strength.

Quality of serger thread varies. Some is fine to piece with, some is not as it is not strong enough and you risk your piecing falling apart. Best bet is to find some reviews on the specific brand and do a search for the manufacturer and see what they intend your specific thread to be used for. I personally would not use that thread for piecing and maybe even for serging until I checked it out. I have in the past bought some very bad serger thread.

At 25 cents a spool I can afford to donate it to charity if it doesn't work out. You can tell I've never used a serger before....thanks for the tips!

Polyester thread has a lot of stretch to it, so it's good for serging, synthetic fabrics, upholstery work...things like that. It is strong and durable and will possibly outlast your cotton quilt pieces.

I have used a lot of serger thread to quilt with over the years. Problem I have found is that it is inconsistent and you will have thick and thin spots. Thick spots get caught in the needle eye and thin spots cause breakage. It has become more frequent in recent purchases so I have been going with connecting threads polyester cones. I have not had any issues with quilts coming apart but the I am a dense quilter so that probably helps. I say use it. Chances are it will last longer than the quilt. Fabric has become thinner and thinner.

I have used a lot of serger thread to quilt with over the years. Problem I have found is that it is inconsistent and you will have thick and thin spots. Thick spots get caught in the needle eye and thin spots cause breakage. It has become more frequent in recent purchases so I have been going with connecting threads polyester cones. I have not had any issues with quilts coming apart but the I am a dense quilter so that probably helps. I say use it. Chances are it will last longer than the quilt. Fabric has become thinner and thinner.

I have used serger thread for free motion quilting on a number of quilts. I had no trouble with it and it seems to be lasting just fine but I don't expect my quilts to either win a prize or be around for eternity. My machine doesn't seem to have a problem with it.

I noticed the polyester cones at Connecting Threads have gotten very slim in their color coices, is it being discontinued?

I use serger thread (specifically Maxilock) for machine quilting without any problems. I personally prefer 100% cotton threads for piecing.

When you're checking prices for thread, take a moment to figure the cost per yard/meter. When you do, you'll see how expensive the "cheaper" brands are. Coats & Clarks is a good example.

I think when we talk about serger thread, or cotton thread, or quilting thread, or polyester thread or any other kind of thread, it is good to mention the brand, the weight, what it is made of as "polyester" tread has a lot of variables. For example, I have found that King Tut, mettler, gutterman, sulky, coats and clark, wonderfil, YLI, Superior threads, ect. All make cotton thread and there is a lot of variety between them. As well as the thickness. So my answer, when folks ask is cotton or polyester thread better for piecing, I would ask back what brand and weight.

I did not know that sergers had special thread! I just use whatever thread is the right color!