Is there a really good reason why I should Not use this thread?
 

Hi,
I am getting ready to quilt a lap sized quilt for my sister. I have a sit down HQ 16. I just bought it used and have done one small quilt on it.

I would really like trying to quilt it with a metallic thread I purchased from art threads. It most likely is rayon.(not sure)

I have been using it as an accent on quilts on my regular machine. I think i have got the right tension set on my HQ16 and would like to use it top and bottom. (red and gold)
I love the special look of richness it gives.

The quilt I would like to quilt is a red flannel sheet on the back (washed several time and the top is all Kaffe Fassette. I have used a needle punched warm and natural batting.

I also have selected a easy flower like design and have the quilt marked and ready to quilt.
Now I am wondering, if for some reason or other, there might be a good reason not to use the metallic.

I am a relatively new quilter!
Thanks for any insight,
Linda

Is the thread washable? Perhaps the vendor will be able to answer if you contact them directly.

A link here about threads.

https://www.superiorthreads.com/educ...-rayon-threads

You may want to make a small sample first to see how it washes/dries.

I recently used a gold metallic thread from Superior to quilt down a lap sized quilt. Unlike the early metallics, it is not scratchy and worked just fine on my machine with a standard thread on the back. No problems with breakage or knotting or other issues while quilting. I decided on the metallic gold because of the black background of the slightly gold metallic embellished fabric and it also had light solids and I didn't want "scars" of black thread in the pale pinks and whatevers.

Quilt isn't in use yet, but I always wash them after I'm done so just in case anything goes wrong it goes on my watch. It washed just perfectly and dried on hot just fine.

All in all, I'd do it again! Which is good because it was a big spool and I barely used any :p

Maybe do a smallish sample to see how the thread behaves. If it works well, use it - if not, get rid of it.

I quilted a quilt years ago with rayon thread and after use and several washings the rayon thread is breaking. I would not recommend it for quilting a quilt. For a wall hanging or a garment that won't receive hard wear or washing, it would be fine.

You say you're not sure if the thread is rayon. If the content isn't listed on the spool, you might be able to find it on the website, or by calling the place where it was purchased. I wouldn't use it if it's rayon, but I think most metallic threads are poly. (I could be wrong.)

Agree to check what type of thread. Many metallics have a polyester core, and those should be fine. I agree with the recommendation to not use anything rayon based.

if you decide to us it, use a needle designed for metallic, or at least one with a larger hole. And slow down. Both these things help reduce the friction on the thread -- friction can heat up and break metallic thread.

Let us know how it works out. I like to use metallic, but haven't ever tried it in the bobbin.

Thanks for all the suggestions! I decided to jump right in and use the metallic I have! I could not find out if it is rayon or wrapped polyester. The online store I purchased it from are in a different time zone and will not be open til Tuesday. I wanted the quilt done asap. I will call on Tue to figure out what it is I am using.
My hq sitdown has been handling it just great! So if i eventually have to requilt it wont be that difficult!