I have a question about thread. Is it really important that you use cotton thread when quilting? If so, what is the difference if you do use it. I'm a newbie and have a resource to get Polyester thread cheap. Cotton thread is so expensive. Also what does Mercerized mean and the numbers that look like this "Size 50/3". What is good and what is bad. What will happen if I use polyester instead of cotton on my quilt. Thanks for all your input.

Also, where do you get those fancy signatures to your posts.

libertykm

No, it isn't important at all unless someone has requested it. You can use polyester, cotton, metallic, monofilament... whatever suits the quilt and your personal preferences.

50/3 means it's a 50wt 3 ply thread. You can also use any weight you prefer. I tend to prefer midweight threads. 100wt would be extremely thin, 18wt would be very chunky. I like 30-50wt threads best.

Most of my machines aren't happy with polyester threads and I much prefer using cotton threads. Cotton threads don't melt when you press your quilt block pieces. Matching thread to fabric content seems to make for a better end product. Some polyester threads are just nasty and very linty. I've been quilting since 1988 and have learned lots about thread from personal experience.
If you're worried about cost of thread, think of how much the fabric you bought to make your quilt cost.
Essentials thread from Connecting Threads is good and doesn't cost much.
http://www.connectingthreads.com/thr...did=HomeThread:600902

I think the theory has always been that cotton thread is best for cotton fabric. Unless you are making an heirloom quilt like a Baltimore Alblum etc. I wouldn't worry about it.
Use what ever materials or notions you can afford. Quilts are meant to be loved and cuddled. Cotton thread is not the only kind that will keep you warm.

Check out "Superior Threads", they have some good info on many different threads.

Go to this link:
http://www.mylivesignature.com/mls_wizard1_1.php
and follow the signature wizard instructions.
Once you get the signature you want, then choose 'want to use this signature'
then choose the 'generate BB code', then 'generate code for my hand written signature'. When the code is created, highlight it and copy it to the signature spot in your profile. Follow these instructions exactly.

lots of quilters use poly threads. i use poly, cotton, silk and wool and rayon threads. what ever my project needs is what it gets. the thread that has the color or properties i need. I seldom use cotton thread for machine quilting, it breaks too much, works fine for me for hand work, piecing and quilting. but in long-arm machines polyester is used most often, because of the speed of the machines, it does not break like cotton thread.
the size...40-50 wt is the norm for piecing, the higher the number the finer the thread. most regular sewing thread is about 40 wt...my silk threads are 100 wt...very fine but very strong. i have some 12 wt. verigated my nephew ordered one time by mistake...boy it is thick!

Regarding Mercerised cotton you find some information here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercerised_cotton

Personally, I like to use serger thread (Maxilock). It's thin, seems to be plenty strong and it's inexpensive. Sometimes I will use embroidery thread or monofiliment for quilting. Just depends on the look I want.

Thanks for the info.

I was always told that polyester thread is much stronger than cotton, & if you use it on a cotton quilt, it will eventually tear the fabric. I am certainly no expert here. I've always used cotton thread because I was told it was better; but I think you could use either one.
As far as mercerized, there's a good definition on wikipedia about what it means. Basically, the thread is soaked in chemicals to make the fiber swell which makes it easier to dye & softer. The process was discovered by John Mercer in 1844 & has been improved since then.

lets see if my sig works ;)

nope didnt work :(

lets see now

I use plain old Coat's and Clark for most of my sewing/quilting. Never had a problem. Works for me! :D

Many of the professional quilters are using polyester to piece as well as to quilt :wink:
I think the old polyester thread caused a lot of problems, but the new ones are just fine now :D:D:D

I use cotton to piece, and try to use all cotton when quilting baby quilts, I would hate for a piece of non cotton thread to wrapped around a little finger or toe.

JMHO

Thank you for the address

I use Aurifil cotton and cotton Masterpiece by Alex Anderson and polyester So Fine by John Flynn mostly. So Fine is so wonderfully great for piecing. I understand that Linda McCuen (sp?) used So Fine for quilting the $100,000 winning quilt "Bella" she did several years ago. Even professional quilters don't agree on what type to use, so experiment and see what YOU like. Just DON'T use those 10/$1 threads you find in discount stores. They are too inconsistent in the thickness and produce so much lint that they are TERRIBLE for your machine's tension discs. I can't tell you how many times a machine has come in for repairs in the shop I worked in, just to have it be the cheap thread that was causing the problem.

The theory is that polyester is stronger than cotton and eventually cut your fabric right on the seam. I have seen this happen.

when I am all alone in the house, no t.v. on. cat and dog well fed and not sitting on my lap...I am going to try to get my signature on.... thanks for the help.

jacie

I had a bad experience lately with poly thread. I was making a lap quilt and thought I was doing a great job with corners, etc., and then noticed that my thread was melting when I ironed it! The lady at the store told me that they used this quilt exclusively for piecing and long rm quilting. Needless to say - they won't be getting any of my quilts to quilt!

TRUE! I did read somewhere that polyester thread is stronger than cotton and the issue is that you don't want your thread stronger than the fabric it is sewn into, since quilts are subjected to washing, the theory is that the cotton top will wear out before the thread, or that the thread will cut the cotton quilt top. :-)

Mercertised thread is cotton thread spun at a high rate of speed and it is quite shinny - mercertized cotton fabric is also spun at a high rate of speed and is good for dying fabric most batiks are mercertized cotton - it absobes dyes much more than regular cotton and its brighter and more intense color..It is just spun more and at a high rate of speed... but it is cotton...

http://www.superiorthreads.com
Bob also often has sample spools at reduced prices, giving you a chance to try them out.
I use whatever thread is close at hand even mixing bobbin and top - poly and cotton.
Makes no difference whatsoever.

This was my question a few days ago. In the last year I have made a lot of quilts, some quilted better than others, and I could never figure out why until just recently. I have Mercerized Cotton covered polyester thread (all purpose) and when practicing my stitches, it works great when piecing. But when it came to quilting, (just a regular machine, not a quilting machine) some quilts were fabulous, others frustrated me so much I wanted to throw them out. Yesterday I organized my thread, and did realize that the cotton thread I quilted with was the one that looked the nicest. So then I went to Connecting Threads on the internet, ordered a bunch of cotton thread for quilting, and I'll use my all purpose thread for piecing. I guess it may depend on your machine.

checking mine too

Sorry to post to this thread about thread. LOL but wanted to test my signature too.

--but use that 12 wt for buttonhole stitch applique' and you will love it @

Should your thread match your backing or the blocks?

I use a lot of essentials from Connecting Threads. Its 1200 yards for $2.49. So a good buy. I also use lots of Marathon thread for thread painting. Superior threads is a great source too. I use a lot of king tut and rainbow for machine quilting

Thanks, Kathy.

I've used the Connecting Threads thread and really like it, it isn't expensive, not real linty and strong. You can drop lots of money on thread if you want, but I wouldn't buy the cheapest either.

I've always been told that you should use cotton so the thread is the same strength as the quilt top. Poly is stronger so the fabric will eventually tear away at the seam line. I don't know if it's true since I don't have any quilts older than 10 years but it makes some sense to me!

The type of thread that use depends alot on what your machine likes.

I like Gutermann thread but it is very expensive. I am surprised no one here has mentioned this brand?

Eventually, the polyester will cut through the cotton thread and it will come apart. It will take many years for this to happen, so you should assess the cost vs risk for yourself. I personally find that the cotton thread sews more smoothly throught the cotton fabric. The polyester thread tends to catch and sometimes stretches a bit. I feel reassured that I can iron the cotton thread at high heat - although most clothing is done in the poly thread and we have no major problems generally...
Here's the answer to the mercerised thread query:
Mercerisation is a treatment for cotton fabric and thread that gives fabric a lustrous appearance. The process is applied to materials like cotton or hemp.
The process was devised in 1844 by John Mercer of Great Harwood, Lancashire, England, who treated cotton fibres with sodium hydroxide. The treatment caused the fibres to swell, which in Mercer's version of the process shrank the overall fabric size and made it stronger and easier to dye. The process did not become popular, however, until H. A. Lowe improved it into its modern form in 1890. By holding the cotton during treatment to prevent it from shrinking, Lowe found that the fibre gained a lustrous appearance.[1][2] Mercerisation alters the chemical structure of the cotton fibre. The structure of the fibre inter-converts from alpha-cellulose to a thermodynamically more favourable beta-cellulose polymorph. Mercerising results in the swelling of the cell wall of the cotton fibre. This causes increases in the surface area and reflectance, and gives the fibre a softer feel.[3]
The modern production method for mercerised cotton, also known as "pearl" or "pearle" cotton, gives cotton thread (or cotton-covered thread with a polyester core) a sodium hydroxide bath that is then neutralized with an acid bath. This treatment increases lustre, strength, affinity to dye, resistance to mildew, but also increases affinity to lint. Cotton with long staple fibre lengths responds best to mercerisation. Mercerised thread is commonly used to produce fine crochet.

A good source to find out about thread is to go to the Superior Threads website and look at the 'threadology' videos.

Try getting the code for message boards. It should have some brackets like this: [ and this: ] and some letters and such. The code you got is for html.

I tried name download hope it worked, we'll see.

Thanks! Ive been wondering the same thing. :D