I hear so much about which kind of thread to use... I have been using 100% cotton for my 100% cotton material piecing. Then I 'hear' the cotton covered polyester is better for longevity... and regular thread for quilting - I use 100% hand quilting cotton for quilting... I want my quilts to last for - well, forever - so what advice to you all have? ALSO, what is the difference between heirloom quality quilting and just quilting?

Quiltlady, I'm no expert by any means but as I understand Heirloom quilting the difference is in the techniques used. An heirloom quilt would contain lace shaping, pin tucks, entredeaux etc. To make a long lasting quilt (which I hope mine are) that may be destined to become family heirlooms, I think cotton thread would be just fine.

I think of it this way: Quilts from the 1800's are still around, and our cotton fabrics, batting and threads are made stronger today than they were then. Cotton fabric is more tightly woven by machine, batting doesn't beard the way it used to, and so on. I try to stick to good quality materials and let the rest go. JMHO :D

Cotton thread for cotton because if you use polyester it may wear a hole in your fabric over time because it is stronger than cotton.

my interpretation of heirloom quilts (or quilting) is that it obviously has a lot of the creator in it, really tok time to do a good job and I think a lot of quilting, maybe different designs and such.
And just in case any of my children/grandchildren read this: ALL OF MY QUILTS ARE HEIRLOOM! AND DON'T FORGET IT!

they'll probably never be in a museum but I certainly put a lot of ME into them!

:lol: :lol:

Kathy,

I agree - all my quilts are made to last. Thanks all for clarifying heirloom to be - well, actually, personal and made to last - no matter what it is. I guess it's to last for forever and thus being an heirloom. I thought this made sense. I will continue to use cotton thread also.

I decided to start quilting when my grand daughter got in my youngest daughters closet and wanted the quilt in there for her bed. It was a quilt my mother made for my oldest daughter and has been passed down though all my kids. If something can last through three generations and still be valued and loved I wanted to be part of it. I hope the quilts I create will be loved by even more generations than my moms so I use the best materials I can afford and give them to my family will love.