Which thread is best?
 

I just got a Juki 2010 today and ordered a grace frame for FMQ. I am so excited but also can't waste anymore money:P so I wanted to get some expert advice on what thread works best. I saw on connecting threads they have a pretty good price on cotton thread with a great color selection. But I have heard (and read) that poly thread is recommended. Some books say cotton only but others sources say either is fine. But which has worked better for you?

There was a recent posting on machines being fussy with thread. Unfortunately, it seems that it's not the brand of machine, it's the individual unit. So one Juki might like on thread while another Juki may prefer another. I would suggest starting with the Connecting Threads thread. Get the smallest spools available, in a neutral color, one each of the poly and the cotton and try them. If they don't work, you can use them to piece. If you live near a JoAnn's you can use your coupons to try different brands. Good luck. Hopefully, you will find your Juki is not fussy.

Superior Threads has "try me" spools. They send a random color, for a cheaper price. :)

I have a Juki TL98QE and can use any kind of thread. A good thing too, I have lots of thread to use up. I also have a Babylock Jane it uses any kind also.

I recently got a Yoyager on a frame. The previous owner told me that 50wt 2-ply Aurifil cotton breaks, but 40wt Aurifil works with it. Also, after just watching a Superior Threads DVD all about threads, it seems that the higher speed machines need stronger thread.

I have been using a 60wt polyester thread to practice quilting, and it is working fine. I haven't tried the Connecting Threads poly yet, which is 70wt, but I am thinking it will probably be strong enough. The 60wt poly thread was one I bought at JoAnn fabrics; if you use a 50% off coupon, it would be a very reasonable thread to try.

In general, if you want the quilting to blend in then you want to use a finer weight thread -- in which case polyester is a good choice. If you want the quilting to show more, then a cotton thread like King Tut works well. King Tut is made with really good quality cotton in a manufacturing process that makes it very strong and very smooth. Having used Connecting Threads cotton years ago for piecing, I would not recommend it for quilting because it is very linty and may not be strong enough to stand up to the faster stitching speed of your Juki. For frame quilting with cotton, it helps a lot to use really good quality thread. From my limited experience so far, quality of polyester thread is less critical (plus the poly thread from CT is inexpensive compared to King Tut!).

It might be best to stick to cone threads. I think, for the Juki, you will need a cone thread stand. If you get one, be sure not to get the cheap plastic type, but rather get the heavyweight one. Or, Superior has come out with a new type of thread stand that looks really good too.

I use my Juki on a frame and have good results with the Connecting Threads thread.

Thanks for all the great info! I looked online at different brands mentioned and found Isacord thread. It was also mentioned in another post by a quilter who just got the same setup as me but her thread is breaking. It was highly recommended and is affordable - only $4 a spool on sale. I couldn't find any info on where to buy it locally (IS this sold in any stores?) so I just guessed at my colors and purchased online. Well now for the hard part - waiting for the mailman!

I just wanted to point out that CT's polyester thread is $6 for 3300 yards. Isacord is $5.25 for 1000 meters (about 1100 yards). So the CT is about half the cost of the Isacord. The Isacord is 40wt whereas CT is 70wt, so the Isacord will show up more and the CT will blend more. The Isacord will probably appear more shiney in a quilt because it is a thicker thread.

I love the isacord poly for my juki on the frame. I find the connecting thread breaks often and causes a huge amount of lint. I recently starting using polyester from metroemb.com. I thought at .90 cents each would be worthless but it is really nice thread. I use a 16 topstitch needle and have virtually no breakage.

You can buy Isacord at iMachine Group for $6.96 per 5000 meter spool, or when they run sales (one is running now) 6 spools for $6 each. You can't beat that, and it quilts beautifully.