Hi,
Would like your input re: do you use the same type of thread to piece & quilt ? I am using machine quilting thread to quilt as well as to piece. Is this ok to do ?
Thanks for your help ! :?:

I usually like to use a finer thread when I piece. I usually use 30 wt. thread to quilt with, and I like to piece with 50 or 60 wt. The thicker the thread you use for piecing, the more chance there is of you blocks being just a smidge too small.

generally machine quilting thread is thicker than piecing thread. Usually a 30wt thread..for piecing you should a 40 or 50wt..unless paper piecing, then it should be a 50 or 60wt. I try to use a 60wt in the bobbin for both!

The thicker the thread, the harder for your seams to lie flat!The thinner the thread the better the seams will lie down, especially at intersections!

I hope that helps!

I sure do learn alot of good stuff on here!!

Well, do whatever works! If something is working for you, dontvlet anyone talk you out of it. That said, I use 50 wt cotton Aurifil or Masterpiece by Superior (also 50 wt cotton, but sometimes has the color I want, or I'm working on a machine such as a featherweight that "likes" as horizontally wound spool) to piece. I prefer thicker thread, 40, 28, or even 12 wt for most quilting. I only use 50 wt when I want it to blend in.

Even though I agree with what Jackie said, I only use one type of thread for
piecing and quilting. It's 50wt Essential Thread from Connecting Threads.
It's good quality and at a reasonable price. A little thicker than I'd like but I
can live with it.

a 50 wt thread is good for piecing- and if you like it for quilting-that's good too- a 30 wt thread is ALOT thicker thread- and when used for piecing will take up (space) which (can) make your pieces---just a smidge off- or not lie flat. the thinner the thread the more precise your piecing will be. it doesnt' matter which thread you use for piecing-or quilting as long as it's strong- the color you want-and is the weight you need (the right weight in the right needle makes a difference in your precision too) there are free charts you can print off --one from Superior Threads- other thread companies have them too- which will show you what threads go with what needles- and what they are (normally) used for-
lots of us use the same thread piecing and quilting- but the thinner the better---the lower the number the thicker (heavier) the thread- so 30 wt- is twice as heavy as 60 wt thread--

I use one for all. Didn't know I shouldn't!!

I use Bottom Line, a Superior Threads product for hand and machine piecing, and for machine and hand quilting. It's the thinnest thread I've found and really lies flat when pressed.
If I want cotton I use Aurifil.
The gal who does most of my machine quilting uses King Tut and So Fine - both Superior Threads products.

THANKS SEW MUCH ~ I appreciate all the replies which are a great help. I felt that the thread I am using to piece was too heavy & as Jackie and others have mentioned, that could very well be why I am having some difficulty with matching seams & blocks. :oops:

I use Coats & Clark Dual Duty or XP for most piecing on the top. It's supposedly 50 weight but seems thinner than the 50 weight machine quilting thread. I use prewound bobbins 2 ply 60 weight, for piecing and most quilting. I will occasionally use the same 50 or 35 weight quilting thread in the bobbin if I want the threads to match or if I'm having trouble getting the tension adjusted.

Robison Anton makes a very nice 50 weight cotton that just flows through my machine and costs much less than King Tut which is also very nice but I have to use a larger needle for it as it seems thicker than 50 weight. The Robison Anton is harder to find and has fewer color choices, though :(

I use the same most of the time (40 weight). Sometimes I venture into fancy threads for quilting one that is a little thicker.

It depends on the look you want what size of thread to use for quilting. If you're going to do something like micro stippling a size 30 thread is too big. If you want the thread to blend in and disappear you use a finer thread. If you want your quilting to be bolder and stand out more use a heavier thread. No one thread fits all quilting!

For piecing the slightly finer threads are great because they don't take up as much room in the seam.

Generally, you would use a cotton 50 wt thread for piecing. The cotton can take the high heat of an iron and the 50 wt is good for keeping the 1/4" seam true. When quilting you can go from a 60 wt (for texture or when you don't want to see the thread) to 30 wt or thicker (when you want to see the quilting).
Ricci

If you really want a thread education, check out: http://www.superiorthreads.com/media...low_Charts.pdf

This will give you more information about what thread weight to use for what task. There are numerous different topics about threads at http://www.superior.com under their education tab.

I use Aurifil to piece, but generally use a heavier thread for quilting. I also like to use some of the polyester with a sheen for quilting. I am not partial to any particular brand.