I was told not to use cheap thread in my Bernina's. The cheapest thread I've ever bought is by Coats & Clark. However, when it comes to quilting or sewing projects I use thread I've bought at quilt shops on the fatter spools that is 100% Cotton.

I'd like to hear what other Bernina owners use and their experiences as I'm just starting with my recently purchased Bernina's and want to use what works best in my machines.

I was told to only use Mettler by my dealer (what they sell), but other owners have told me that Gutermann works fine, but is a bit more linty (is that a word?). I've used both with no problems. I've also used CT thread, but about 50 % of the spools I've tried to use have snapped and/or shredded, so I try to avoid it now.

Mettlers isn't as good as it was IMO, but I still have some I use. But I love, love Aurifil. My Bernina loves it too. I use Gutterman in a pinch even though my dealership says not to. I won't use Coats and Clark-I think it's the worst thread out there.

Where is a good place to order Aurifil from?

This thread has all the info. but Tristan Thread!

http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-44336-1.htm

Hi,
I work at a quilt shop that sold Bernina's and we were told to only use Mettler. The shop has since closed and I have done research on the different threads. I teach out of my home now and hava all Bernina sewing machines. I use both Mettler and Gutermann in the machines. One think to remember if you use cotton thread to sew use it in the bobbin too. The Bernina does not like a different thread in the bobbin. Hope this helps.

Thanks so very much for your input and the link to the Italian thread site. The prices seem really great. You gals are just the best...............thanks everyone.
Cheryl

This is an interesting post. I've never had a problem with any threads with my Bernina and I've used most mentioned here. I don't buy Coats & Clark anymore but use what I have left.
I bought some from CT though but haven't used them yet.

I was using Mettler because that was what I was told to use when I bought my machine. I had a spool of Coats and Clark on it when I went back for my guide class after I bought the machine and was told it was not good for Nina (the shop's pet name for all Bernina sewing machines) to use that. So I bought Mettler--but it's expensive. I recently order Connecting Threads and Nina seems to like it just fine. Been working on 2 quilts today with no problems at all.

When I am quilting with YLI 100wt silk thread in the top, I use Mettler 60wt cotton in the bobbin. It is what Diane Gaudynski (my quilting hero) uses and it works great.

I have a Bernina 440QE, and I have used all kinds of thread in it successfully. If the dealer had told me I could only use Mettler I would have found another brand of sewing machine to buy. I love to use Bottom Line in the bobbin, and I mix threads top and bottom all the time. I no longer buy Star thread, because I've found that CT is better quality and cheaper too. But I'm still using up the Star brand, as well as the leftover Coats & Clark and some old spools that I had left over from sewing when I was in high school and college (and that was a very long time ago). I figure if it isn't rotten, I can use it for piecing. I do clean and oil the machine frequently.

I think it doesn't matter what brand machine you have. Test the different brands and see if your machine has issues with it or not. Also look at how you like the different brands of thread. If the less expensive brands work fine in the machine but you don't like how they look, don't use them. If you like them, then why spend more just because the dealer "insists"? Figure out what works for you.

The cheapest I've purchesed is Coats as well. I have a Bernina 440 and haven't had any type of thread problem.
I am using monofiliment to quilt my top and it's working like a dream. Love, Love!!!! Good Luck with yours ;-)

Thank you all. I just love hearing all the different opinions from everyone. So if there are more of you, don't be bashful, I'm listening.

Cheryl

I have 2 Bernina's...a 930 & a Artista 200E. I use all types of thread....regular/embroidery/metallic/heavy carpet/etc. I've bought cheap thread & expensive thread. Once in a while you'll get a spool that's junk/a lemon. If I get one that wants to fray/break I unwind some, change needle & try again. If it still gives me trouble I toss it. Thread is like anything else....now & then you get a lemon :(.

I love Superior thread.I buy it in a LQS on the cone & it seems to last & last.My Bernina likes it too & have never had a prob with the thread or machine.
http://www.superiorthreads.com/shop/

What thread do you use from Superior. I have a 640 Artista. I use Bottom line for the bobbin and love it. last forever.

I usa Mettler as well. Never had any problems with this thread, and it is reasonably priced.

I have used Mettler, Guttermann, Sulky, Mediera, Aurifil, and once I even used Coats and Clarks. I haven't have any issues with any of them in my Bernina 830 Embroidery Machine. However I hated Coats and Clarks because it was so linty. (I used that word, too, Mattee) I just recently got some Presencia 50 wt cotton that I used on my last quilt. I absolutely loved it and so did my Bernina.

I have used all threads in my Bernina. I haven't had a problem with any of them. I never move the tension. No problems here. Now I am using Superior threads, MasterPiece, a thinner thread for piecing, and I love it. It breaks on my older machines, but works great in my New 430.

I also was told by my dealer that Mettler was the best. because of course that is what they sold. But I have two Bernies and I use any and everything in them. Mostly for quilting I use he C & C I get in the large spools at JoAnn's when it is on sale for half price. The 100% cotton. My machines are so cooperative.

Yes, it is a funny thing about dealers. I have an older mechanical Kenmore and when I took it in for cleaning I was told never to use Coats and Clark in it because it is terrible thread. It just so happens that he sells every brand except C&C. Hmmm. That Kenmore has been going strong on C&C for years. Hmmmm.

so I guess the answer is to "ask your machine".
I have Bernina, Janome etc. All thread appear to work well. When I see a shop closing and they have the older Coats and Clark I buy all they have left.
So guess there is no sure answer to the question.

I have an older Bernina 1260 and it uses all types of thread just fine. I use mostly Aurifil thread because I bought a case of neutral light and dark colors on big cones from Tristan Threads at clearance price several years ago. I'll never use all that up! All newer threads are manufactured better then they use to be. The Bernina dealer here that has Berninas set up for her classes uses the big cones of no name cotton thread on the machines. She sells all brands of thread and doesn't push any one brand. She will tell you which thread is considered the best for what sewing you are doing and you decide which brand you like to use.

I'm new to quilting, and haven't sewed in 35 years or so. We used to always use Coats & Clark thread. What's the matter with it? I've heard it sheds more lint, but I just clean the machine regularly. Why are other brands better?

The older machines need to have the thread tension loosened slightly to handle Masterpiece thread.

When piecing using a 50 wt thread like Aurofil or Masterpiece it doesn't take up so much room in the seams and they will lay nicer. It doesn't seem like that little bit should make difference but it does.

My Bernina has loved every thread I've thrown at it. I use coats and Clark, connecting threads essential, isacord, yli, mettler, superior and probably others.

Dealer says isacord, mettler are best, but the machine does not seem to be picky.

Aurifil is my "go to" thread. I'm trying to use up my Mettler Silk Finish cotton, but since I started using Aurifil a few years ago, I really don't like it. Compared to Aurifil, it seems "slubby." Superior and King Tut are others I like. Other brands didn't necessarily work better in my machiine, I just prefer the look and the beautifully flat seams that I get when using the Aurifil. And when I bought a multiple-spool package on-line, the cost for the large spools is quite reasonable.

Monofiliment thread in the top gives me very little trouble, having followed a professional quilter's tip to use a drop of Sewer's Aid on it before using.

Aurifil 50wt is 2 ply. Connecting Threads is 50wt is 3 ply. I prefer 2 ply for piecing and 3 ply for machine quilting. For 2 ply a universal size 90/14 is too big a needle. I use a 60/8 with Aurifil.

Kas is right. Silk thread will make your machine quilting look like a master quilter stitches. Using silk thread and wool batting is the best way to learn machine quilting.

I've had lots of problems with thread in my Bernina. I finally found that Gutermann cones work perfectly for it. No breakages anymore. It's an answer to a 2 year old problem.

I use Mettler or Gutermann when making garments. For quilting, I use Aurifil. My Bernina does not like lint. I clean it often.

I've used every brand there is in my 640, with no problem with top tension or the bobbin. There are a few cones that create more lint than others, so I clean more often when using those. I like using the 3000m cones with a thread stand.

Oh, I love this thread about thread. I own two Berninas. One is an 830 Record from the 70s. Used to use C & C all the time. When I purchased my used Artista E it came with 300 spools of Isacord. It loves Isacord. Isacord on my 830 Record actually bounces out of it track of threading on the upper thread... go figure! On a few of my vintage machines C & C (manufactured this century) throws the tension off and makes a mess of things. My motto or habit, if you will, is if a brand gives me problems repeatedly on a machine... I don't use it, I move it to another machine. Quilters and threads are funny. We are all different and we just have to find what suits us. I have heard alot of Aurifll but since I have lots of Isacord, it will be a long, long time before I switch over.

My Berninas have always sewn well with any thread I happen to have. Rarely have to adjust the tension. I have used a lot of Singer machines, too, and have had the same good results. From my experience, people who are always messing with the machine tension are the folks who have the most problems with their mechines. Maybe my machines work well because I expect them to do so! LOL

I use CT mostly but still have some CC that I use. I don't have a problem but I do have to clean the machine more with CC.