Recommendations on "specialty" threads...
 

I'm going to be quilting a black/teal/white Lone Star. My Longarm guild gave me several suggestions for specialty threads, but I also wanted to ask all you extremely intelligent people here on the QB.

I want the threads to SHOW.... BUT... the design is going to be rather intense and detailed, so I will be going for the lighter weight of threads.
My group's suggestion was Superior's "Magnifico" line (and I have several on order to test them).

However, I know several of you are more into the think-outside-the-box type of quilting artists, so I would really like your opinions.
Pro's and con's for:

Metallic threads
multi-thread threads (like Rick Tims' stuff)
High-sheen poly or rayon
Or other threads that I'm not even thinking of

Here's the design I'll be doing in the setting corners of the Lone Star...
Any and all suggestions will be greatly appreciated.

What about getting some of Superior's new MicroQuilter thread? Granted it's 100 wt, but the colors are intense and it looks you plan to have some areas that are going to be heavily quilted.

I bought some, but haven't had a chance to play with it yet.

Are you quilting it on a long arm on a frame, or using either a sit down LA or a domestic machine?

I can't speak to using any of those threads on a LA on a frame, but if you're using a domestic machine or sit down, then:

You could also consider a 100 wt. silk--very strong, nice sheen. And if you have areas where there will be a lot of thread build up it doesn't become overwhelming with this weight thread.

I haven't tried Superior's new 100 wt. polyester yet, but I have used Wonderfil's 100 wt polyester and loved it.

Metallics- depending on the brand and your machine, some are a bit of a pain for FMQ. That can be handled in a variety of ways including using a metallic needle, fiddling around with placement on the spool holder of your machine, lowering your top tension quite a bit.

Ricky Tims- multi thread- I'm not sure about those, have never used them. I have used his Razzle Dazzle (made by Superior Threads and also YLI's thread that is similar. If the multi-threads have the thickness or unevenness (bumps) of either of those two, then you'd need to put them in your bobbin and flip the quilt over to quilt it--which I have done and had a lot of fun with, but as intricate as your design is, I wouldn't recommend it.

I have used High sheen poly made by Melrose and it's lovely, but it's thickness (40 wt. I think) might be too much for the areas where you are doing the small pebbles or the microstipples.

I have also used Madeira's Rayon-- it is very beautiful and strong enough to handle the stresses of FMQ on a domestic machine, but it is about the same thickness as the Melrose poly, so I think it would also be overwhelming for areas where you are doing small pebbles or microstippling. The other drawback to the Rayon is that it may not be a good choice if your quilt will be used and washed frequently since Rayon isn't as strong as either poly, silk or cotton.

Play around with them all on a sample if you have enough spare fabric to do a sample or two of your design (which is lovely) to see which thread weights and materials you like where.

Rob

I can't give you any help but sure am anxious to see when it's finished. Love that color.

I just checked and nearly all of mine are Sulky. I love them for machine applique. I have only machine quilted small things like placemats, and little wall hangings. I do not know if this helps you, but I thought I would chime in.

Give this a try in those areas where you are doing micro quilting--I just recently used it and really liked it. Has a nice sheen like Magnifico and Glide, strong, and the color is brilliant. Can't wait to see this quiltecd!