What thread do you use to machine piece? machine quilt? hand quilt? hand piece?

For machine piecing I use Superior So Fine in top and bottom. For machine quilting I use Mettlar Silk finish on top and Superior Bottom Line in the bobbin.

For machine piecing, I generally use Aurifil 50 wt top and bottom. For machine quilting, I like Fil-tec's Glide top and bottom, but also use thread from Metro Embroidery and embroidery thread from our local LQS (but I'm drawing a blank on the brand name!). When I was hand quilting, I generally used YLI, and for hand piecing, I used plain ol' Coats & Clark.

I mostly hand-quilt-I use Gutermann's-having said that, I recently bought Coats & Clarks-it was 50% off and had just the right color for a quilt i'm doing, and I HATE it!! It starts to frey about 1/2 way down the piece. I have changed needles and tried knotting it the other direction, but nothing is helping. I am using the same needles I always do (John James) and the batting I have used numerous times, and it has never happened with my Gutermann's. Guess this is the last quilt I will use C & C's hand-quilting thread! I also like Aurofil and Gutermann's for machine piecing, and hand-sewing. I LOVE silk thread for invisible applique by hand, and will use my CC's for mostly basting.

I understand from the woman at the LQS that Coats and Clark has changed the way they are making their thread---I agree because I bought a spool recently and it's AWFUL! It's wiry, stiff, and linty. LQS refused to carry any more.

My stepmother (a professional quilter and instructor) told me the worst thing I could do for my Pfaff was using Coats and Clark in it. So now I piece and sew with either Gutermann's or Metrosene.

I only machine piece and machine quilt. I use the same thread top and bottom when piecing. Sometimes I use the same top and bottom and sometimes different when quilting. I use Mettler Silk Finish, Aurifil, Precensia and King Tut. I recently added some new threads from Wonderfil and one other brand but I haven't tried them yet.

I do hand finish the binding and I use Mettler for that.

Basically I use quality fabrics and I use quality threads on those fabrics. I do not use polyester threads.

I agree Coats and Clark have changed their thread, thankfully I found my machine likes the metrosene.

Glad to know it isn't just me! Unfortunately, unless I can match the color closely with Gutermann's, I will need to finish and just battle it out. I will go to Joann's today (if DH will drive me!) and see if I can find a close color. I REALLY hate it!! I actually have several spools of CC's hand-quilting thread I bought (50% off at Joann's) and now will never use them. What a waste! I wonder if they will take them back???

Interesting info on Coats & Clark. I've used their dual duty thread in my Viking within the past year (not for anything quilt-related, but for other sewing) and have had no problem with it at all. Or is it the quilting thread that's the problem?

I only piece with Presencia 60wt 3 ply cotton. I think I've tried everything, and it's my favorite hands down.

For quilting, my 3 favorites are Isacord, and Superior Threads So Fine, King Tut. I use the Bottom Line occasionally in the bobbin, but usually prefer So fine for bobbin thread.

I was talking about hand-quilting thread-not the regular dual duty.

Oops! I see that now. Sorry for the confusion.

I don't know about their hand quilting thread,...the reason it came up is because I took some sewing on a visit to her house recently and she indicated that I was NOT going to put "that" in her machine :-)

Aurifil, King Tut, and Gutermann here.

Hand quilting thread is not supposed to go in a machine. The glaze can damage the machine somehow. Even if it doesn't say " hand" quilting, you can tell it's glazed by the wiry-ness of it. I've been a hand quilter all this time and have a big collection of hand quilting thread-C&C, DMC, Mettler. I'm hoping to become proficient at machine quilting, so I've bought King Tut and Aurifil in 28 and 40 wts. I used to use C&C, Gutermann, and Mettler for piecing, but I've recently change to Aurifil 50wt and Masterpiece. I usually use whatever matches and blends for hand appliqué, but I ordered a pack of Superior BOBs to try. I'm hoping the Aurifil works for that too, because I ordered a LOT from Tristan Threads Aurifil clearance (thx to a tip from Candace from Elk Grove CA on this board). The Aurifil is FAR less linty than anything I had used before.

I really like So Fine to machine quilt with. It comes in a lot of colors and it is a little finer than cotton thread and I just like the way the quilting looks with it. For hand quilting I use a glazed thread made for hand quilting. I do piecing with cotton usually, but I also use So Fine.

Thanks for the info on Aurifil. I know hand quilting thread doesn't go into a machine, but I am gathering that C&C is downgrading all of their thread, including what I was referring to--all purpose. It's too bad because for a lot of people that's all they can afford, and in some very rural areas it's all they have easy access to.

I also dislike Coats&Clark for hand quilting :thumbdown:

I have used Gutermann's and recently got some egyptian cotton long staple from Connecting Threads. Nice colors, little lint and my machine likes it. Going to try a cone size and see if it does well in the long run.

I use Coats and Clarks for most of my sewing and hand quilting. I love their hand quilting thread. I always buy it when it is half off.

I had trouble with C & C also. I e-mailed them and told them it used to be good thread but it isn't anymore. They asked me to send my spools back so they could examine them and they gave me my money back. I asked them to please let me know what they found because I liked their thread and would buy it again if they got their problem solved. I never heard from them again so I buy Guttermans now. If you have your sales slip I'm sure Joanns will take them back.

I recently purchased a Janome machine...(it hasn't arrived yet) but was wondering if you use any type of special thread for it. I will be doing piecing and fmq.

King Tut for machine (both top & bottom)

Gutermann for hand

I've rarely had a problem with C&C. That said: thread has a twist and is spooled to be used the "right" direction. If your thread seems to shred, try knotting the other end so you are pulling the opposite direction. Also, thread has a shelf life. JoAnns is great for buying huge quantities and putting it on sale BECAUSE it is getting old and frail. Manufacturers should really put an expiration date on thread.

The less linty the thread the happier your machine will be. Better quality threads have a lot less lint. Aurifil and some of the other top quality threads may seem expensive but there's a whole lot more on the spool.

I also used Coats & Clark recently to do some machine embroidery. Never again!!! My Bernina 830 had to go to the shop for maintenance -- somehow all the lint had loosened the bobbin spring.
Janet :evil:

For piecing I used Alex Anderson from Superior Thread. King Tut with botton line for quilting again from Superior.

Yes Coats and Clark thread has changed. It is made in Mexico now.

i have always used coat and clark to do my piecing and have not had a problem

Funny you bring up thread! I had a bad experience with a brand new spool of thread that I wanted to do fancy stitches on one of my table runners. I went to fill the bobbin and alas, the thread was not continuous. It was cut several times. So I will not be buying thread made in Mexico. I can't even remember where I bought it, but I will be checking to make sure where it is made.

Funny you bring up thread! I had a bad experience with a brand new spool of thread that I wanted to do fancy stitches on one of my table runners. I went to fill the bobbin and alas, the thread was not continuous. It was cut several times. So I will not be buying thread made in Mexico. I can't even remember where I bought it, but I will be checking to make sure where it is made.

I have the Pfaff Grand Quilter and the only thread that doesn't break when quilting on the frame is Coates - tried all the others and they kept breaking - use the same in my bobbin and have no problems what so ever.

Isacord and Mettler here. No Coats and Clark Here....too much lint!!!! for machine quilting.

Isacord and Mettler here. No Coats and Clark Here....too much lint!!!! for machine quilting.

it just amazes me that there are so many different kinds of threads out there.....wow!!!

I believe, as long as you still have the receipt, Joann's will take anything unused back. Not sure if they will give you a refund or a credit, though.
:?:

I am amazed at how many quilt shops push Coats and Clark. I found knots in it! It used to be a good thread, but then that was years ago.
I heard the owner of Superior Threads speak and his thread makes sense to me but it it difficult to find in quilt stores.

Iguess I am one of the lucky ones, as I've never had knots, etc. or any trouble with Coats & Clarks thread. It does what I want it to do. One of the premiere quilters I know who has won prizes at Paducah and Bloomington uses it for all her quilting. She uses it on her home machine, not a quilting machine, I think a Bernina, and says it works better than any other for her.