Is it OK to use polyester thread? If no is it ok to use it for piecing only?

I always use 100% cotton thread. Apparently polyester thread can cut into the seams - although I don't know this for a fact. You might find this article of use -

http://www.reddawn.net/quilt/thread.htm

You can use any thread you want to use. Try various kinds and you will eventually have a preference. I like to use cotton but I can use any thread that's strong enough. There are no quilt police!

Traditionally cotton thread was preferred for piecing because the polyester threads were stronger and therefore could cut through the weaker cotton fibers. However, nowadays many polyester threads are just as weak (or weaker) than cotton threads. In any case, thread is not just thread; brand matters as well as type.

A good place to learn about threads is http://www.superiorthreads.com

I always use cotton thread, with some of the reason being more even shrinkage, matching fabric with thread, etc. Personal preference is what matters.

guess im bad...i use cotton, rayon, polyester, silk, wool threads, and some blends...cotton/poly...silk/rayon ect...i have my favorites for different projects and think that you can use any thread you like as long as it does what you want it to do...

I had heard that the polyester thread would tear the cotton fabric. I heard this only after using a cotton coated polyester thread to piece together 6 blocks.

Bottom Line and So Fine are all poly. Many of the name brand thinner threads are. Poly doesn't have the bad rep it use to. I wouldn't use the $1 spool of poly on any quilt though.

I think you can use whatever works best for you. Stay away from super cheap threads and they are usually weak and won't hold up in a quilt.

And they are more linty in your bobbin area. I find the better cotton threads are better liked by my machine and don't cause me near the problems of some of the others.

I piece with 100% cotton and use others for quilting except for baby quilts I always try to use 100% cotton in case any comes loose and gets wrapped around little fingers or toes.

I read an article once where a woman used some serger cone thread and when she pressed the quilt top, all the thread melted and she had to start over. That is why I use mostly cotton but I have some cotton-wrapped poly too. Some machines are finnicky when it comes to thread - just play and have fun. When you land on a winning combination, stick with it.

In general sewing, the rule of thumb is to sew polyester fabric or polycotton blends etc with a polyester thread, and cotton fabric with a cotton thread. I would not sew my cotton quilting fabric with a polyester thread as the thread is very strong and may in time cut through the fabric. I have also learned through experience that cheap thread does not always agree with certain machines. I agree with finding a thread which both suits your particular project and is compatable with your machine.

Gal

I only use good cotton to piece cotton fabrics and silk to piece silk..... and good cotton for Wool.

Never use the cheap threads. They have a lot of lint and waer on the bobbin hook.

good luck, no set rules but advice from other users is worth its weight in Gold. Learn from othere who have used all.... listen to there favorites.

Happy Quilting

considering how much fabrics and threads have changed over the years, i don't think we truly have a good frame of reference when we worry whether or not poly thread will weaken cotton fabrics in quilts we make today.

for the record, i have one machine that performs best when i use the $1 poly from wallyworld. go figure. :lol:

i used to use poly because it was easiest to find unless i shopped for cotton online. i decided to order some cotton just to see what all the fuss was about. that's when i discovered that i can do something with cotton thread that i can't do with poly: if i need to unsew a long seam and don't want to spend time carefully undoing it, i can just pick out the first half inch and then rip the sucker out by pulling apart the two strips with a good strong yank. any resulting distortion of the strips can be cured with a good re-press. that's even easier if i cut and stitched the strips up (along the selvage) instead of across the width of the fabric.

given the amount of time i spend unsewing, i was sold on cotton for life. :lol:

i get solid colors from connectingthreads.com
i get my variegated from threadart.com

I use the thread I have on hand. I don't know what it is but I think it is cotton cover poly. I have so much of it in different colors I can't justify go out and buy more. But never ever ever use monofilament theard (tranparant theard). It scratchs.

If you haven't tried Aurfil yet, I encourage you to try it! It does retail for about $10.00 a spool, but there is ALOT of thread there and you get more on the bobbin as it is a very fine thread. This can also be used for hand applique. It can be found online for less than the retail price. Last time I ordered, over a year ago I spent $50.00, got free shipping and I think I got at least 7 or 8 spools.

When I started, I knew nothing. I still don't, but I have thread that was bought back when and have not had a problem. I guess I will use what I have and hope for the best.

You can use any kind of thread: cotton, poly, a blend of both, silk, rayon, etc. I would not go with cheap thread tho, it's usually poorer quality, break easily and fuzzy. Also don't use serger thread. It's too thin and will not hold up over time. This all came from an interview with a fellow from Superior Threads on The Quilt Show w/ Timms and Anderson.

I agree