Quilting thread
 

I have a question regarding quilting thread. I know that thread comes in various weights and the weight we use depends on the work we're doing - appliqué, machine quilting, hand quilting, etc.

But where on the bobbin do we read the weight of the thread? The bobbin displays in stores put all the machine quilting thread together, hand quilting thread together... but once back home, there's nothing on the bobbin to give us the weight. I have several bobbins of Gutermann 100% cotton quilting thread and by feel only, it's very difficult to tell the weight.

Any help would be appreciated!:confused:

In my experience, pre wound bobbins that don't specify are usually a 60 wt. Typically, prewound bobbins are geared to machine embroidery, specifically commercial machine embroiderers. So because virtually no stress is put on the bobbin thread in that particular application and the commercial machine embroiderers want to be able to get a lot of stitchouts between bobbin changes the thread is usually a lighter weight and often only a two ply. I checked Guterman's website and it isn't even specified there. I wouldn't stress too much over the weight of your thread in the bobbin. With sufficient quilting it should hold up well enough. If you are truly concerned over it, don't use them, use a bobbin where you know what weight and ply thread you have.

Edited to add, the only Gutermann prewounds I could find were polyester so you may have something different.
Here is a link https://www.guetermann.com/shop/en/v...&type=consumer

pre-wound cotton bobbins are out there but most pre-wounds are polyester.
as feline fanatic said, those are going to be 60wt unless the package/ad says otherwise.

the pre-wound cotton bobbins i get are 50wt, as is most cotton thread unless the package/ad says otherwise.

i haven't seen any offered in weights other than those.

I have never been able to find the weight, so I don't buy prewound.

Superior pre wounds are all I use. https://www.superiorthreads.com/bobbins/ I use Glide pre wounds with Glide thread when using Glide for machine quilting. All other machine quilting threads or thread for piecing I use Superior pre wounds. Lots of great info about prewounds on the website.
Not true anymore. Prewound cotton or poly bobbins are made for piecing and machine quilting. Most LA buy them by the gross.

Are you referring to pre wound bobbins or spools?

Yes I know, I am a LA quilter and do buy magnaglides by the gross in the colors they offer in that kind of quantity.

I guess I should have worded my reply to use the word "initially" instead of typically, also I was pretty much referring to the specific Guterman prewounds referenced by the OP. I found only one type of prewound on their website. The link I provided was specifically geared to embroiderers. Pretty much all prewound bobbins were introduced for embroiderers. Even Glide thread, while now marketed mostly to quilters was developed and initially marketed to embroiderers. It was Karen McTavish who broke them into the quilting market.

most cottons are 50wt, the poly is usually 60wt for embroidery, unless it is decobob which is 80wt

Wellllll..... Superior's bobbins are geared for the quilter. Bottom Line is 60 wt, Masterpiece is 50 wt.

I like Bottom Line because there's more thread on the bobbin, which means fewer stops to load a new bobbin. That, plus a finer thread means more accurate piecing.

I make it easy for myself and use 50 weight in the bobbin. So no matter what I piece, I know what I am using. Both 50 and 60 weight are good for piecing and good for quilting. Not sure this post was much help to you.

I agree but they were late in the game so to speak for offering prewounds. When prewounds were introduced to the market they were not geared towards quilters but more to embroiderers. Like quilters usually do, some found that using a prewound was a lot easier in machine quilting and even piecing. (although I always wind my own for piecing)

There are most likely many prewounds out on the market that do not specify what kind of thread is loaded on them.

I have never seen a Superior thread product at a big box like JoAnns or Hobby Lobby. I feel for as long as Superior has been in business they have catered much more to quilters than to other markets (ie garment construction and commercial embroiderers like the ones that stitch emblems to shirts.)

Found this information on a Coats and Clark blog. Perhaps it will be of use to someone.


Thread Description Plys Tex Thread Weight
Dual Duty XP General Purpose 2 30 35
Dual Duty Plus Button & Carpet 3 104 10
Dual Duty XP Fine 2 20 60
Dual Duty XP Heavy 3 70 15
Coats Cotton Covered 3 30 40
Dual Duty Plus Hand Quilting 2 40 25
Coats Rayon Machine Embroidery (40 Wt) 2 27 40
Coats Extra Strong & Upholstery Nylon 3 70 15
Coats Outdoor Thread 3 90 12
Coats Cotton General Purpose 3 35 30
Coats Cotton Machine Quilting 3 35 30
Coats Extra Strong For Jeans 2 60 20
Coats Denim 2 35 30
Coats Polyester Bobbin 1 15 70
Coats Cotton Hand Quilting 3 50 20
Coats Metallic 2 30 40
Coats Transparent Polyester 1 15 70

Don't know why the columns of information did not stay lined up. Hope you can read this table.

Marcia

Don't know why the columns of information did not stay lined up. Hope you can read this table.

Marcia

No - you will not find Superior thread in Joann's or any other place except quilt shops. The same goes for Aurifil. These threads are the best quality and therefore cost more. Quilter's are a bit picky about the thread they use because a lesser quality thread leaves lots of lint in your machine. I used to use C&C years ago but will not do now. It's like fabrics - get the nest quality of fabrics, threads, etc. thst you can afford as your time is also worth using quality products.

I purchased some Aurifil thread and matching bobbins in a shop in upstate NY - The Yardstick in Cobleskill. NY - and they are both 50wt. Great stuff.

Sandy in Mooresville, NC

I'm so sorry! You can tell I'm new at this! I meant spools, not bobbins. Now, on the website, I see that this thread is made exclusively for hand sewing:
http://www.joann.com/gutermann-hand-.../prd36957.html
Still don't know the weight but could I use it for machine quilting?

Hi nonnon, I am pretty sure this thread should not be used for machine quilting. The description mentions a coating that is used on the thread to prevent knotting when hand quilting; this could sort of scrape off on the eye of your machine's needle and clog it, interfering with your tension. Although thicker thread can certainly be used for machine quilting, especially when you want the quilting to really stand out, I think you would be happier with regular cotton or polyester thread.

I have some Gutermann polyester that does not show any weight...i don't know why! My Gutermann cotton says C Ne 50, meaning 50 weight. Another good brand that you may find at Jo-Ann's is Mettler. The 100% cotton silk finish is nice. It says No. 50 - this is also 50 weight. I hope this helps you! I understand your frustration. Wouldn't it be nice if labeling was consistent across brands? That's why this board is so great, we can help each other!

i have used the Gutterman hand quilting thread in my machine.
it works well for quilting, but i don't use it for piecing.
i just make sure to use a size 16 needle.

i wouldn't purposely buy hand quilting thread for the machine.
i just happen to have oobledy-googobs of it from ages ago.

Thank you Kindergarten Quilter and PatriceJ and all other quilters who gave me very useful advice! I think I'll keep this hand quilting thread for hand quilting and I'll buy other thread for the machine.