Tips for invisible thread?
 

Beginner here. I'm working on my first queen-size quilt, using a bunch of different shades and patterns of blue. I figured it would be easiest to use invisible thread so I don't take away from how nice all the colors already look together.

​​​​But this stuff is giving me fits!

First I tried Dritz "quilting thrrad"." It was nylon, .004. It was constantly breaking and tangling. I could barely touch it without a bunch of thread popping off the spool and tangling. All the extra thread would wrap around the machine, get stuck somewhere, and snap. Finally it got so tangled I couldn't use it anymore, so I threw it away and bought something new.

Now I'm using Sulky brand polyester, .004. This is the stuff my quilting book recommends. It is marginally better than the Dritz, but still driving me crazy. It's so fine. I guess that's good in terms of invisibility, but it's like my machine can't hang on to it. Half the time I start stitching to find it's pulled itself out of the needle on the first stitch, even if I hang onto it. It also doesn't like to feed itself. No matter which way I set the thread, it has a hard time pulling it off the spool. It's also driving my tension crazy. I've played with tension every which way and the only thing I can do to keep the tension balanced is to manually unwind the spool with my hand every few stitches. Otherwise it'll either start pulling the bobbin thread up top or it'll just stop feeding thread. I have tried using this thread in the bobbin but it will not wind, so I am using white cotton thread on the bottom.

I know there's got to be a way to do this, or people wouldn't use this thread in the first place. What am I missing? What's the trick?

I like the Superior brand mono, my machine hasn't complained about it at all! I only use it in the top and a match color in the bobbin.

I've had my share of go-rounds with monofilament thread also. The primary reason I don't use it for more of my quilts and other projects, though, is because of the feel. It just doesn't have the soft hand feel that other threads have. I don't seem to have quite the problems with it that you are experiencing, however. I find that I need to slow my machine speed way down when using it. Also when cutting the thread at the end of stitching, I need to have the thread with no tension on it or it will snap back. It does often come unthreaded or wound around the thread spool holder and then, of course, won't feed properly.

Truthfully, you should probably find a neutral color thread to use. Gray often works quite well.

Sorry I can't be of more help. Will watch for other advice you may get.

I am no needle/thread expert, as i typically just use whatever is accessible at the time. however, I just looked at my spool of monofilament (Sulky .004) and it says to use 75-90 top stitch needle. I use mine without a problem with just the standard/universal needle, but maybe your machine would cooperate better with the "right" needle?

I have lots of it. I haven't used it for years. I make donation quilts for kids now and I just use regular thread or machine quilting thread.

I have never used the brands you are using but I have used it on DM and a longarm and on both the tension needs to be very
loose. And when you pull the thread though the needle the thread should not curl at all when you release it.. If it does, loosen the tension some more. I will say I did not quilt on the DM, I did applique; but on the longarm the main key was very very loose tension. As I said, I did not use the same brands as you, but it might help.

And go slow!!!

That thread can be an adventure for sure. I admire that you want to quilt a whole quit with it. Nylon thread will melt so you want to use a mono-poly for invisible. A thread stand will help prevent kinks and twists which cause breakage.

You may want to try a variegated thread in blue or something that blends with the fabrics. Good luck!

I like YLI invisible thread on top and cotton thread in the bobbin. I match the bobbin thread color to the back of the quilt.

It works well for me.

I have used the Superior polyester invisible, and, like others said, I had to loosen the tension a lot. Stay away from nylon since it melts wayyyy too easily.

I bought knee high hose, cut the top and toe off for thread cones to tame the thread coming off the spool.

I use superior ‘invisible’ monofilament thread. I use Sofine 50 or something similar in the bobbin I have never been able to get any of them to work without using a regular thin thread in the bobbin.

It’s easier to use a walking foot than to do FMQ

not familiar with the 2 brands you have tried--I use Superior MonoPoly and loosen the top thread tension some and use a poly/cotton in the bobbin.

I use the YLI monopoly brand with a thread net. The thread net controls the unspooling.

If you don't know what a thread net is, here is a link to one brand: https://smile.amazon.com/Threads-Unw...7640119&sr=8-4

I haven't used this particular brand. It's just to give you the idea of what you need. I got my nets at a quilt show.

I use Superior Threads mono poly invisible thread most often- sometimes YLI
i use regular thread in my bobbin. It is important to use a ( thread net) over the spool or cone to keep the thread from unwinding. I purchase mine from Superior Threads and it always comes with a thread net.

I'm not an expert quilter. I sew on a vintage Singer sewing machine. I had a terrible problem the first time I tried to use invisible thread for applique, so gave up. It was Coats and Clark thread.
I've used Gutermann Invisible thread to quilt with a walking foot. I have had no problems whatsoever. I loosen the upper tension and use regular polyester thread in the bobbin. The Gutermann thread says it's 100% polamida, and made in Mexico. I searched for a definition of "polamida", but was unable to find one. I also used a spanish/english translator, but got no answer. I assume it's polyester. I worked fine with a walking foot. I purchased it at JoAnn's. It's available on Amazon.
bkay

Like you, I have gone around in circles with monofilament threads until I settled on Superior! Now I have a spool that sits in front of me at my key board to remind me of what to use. If you could only see it through my screen. Here I am holding it up for you. It sews very well. I will use a matching 50 wt thread on the bobbin side. Of course by the nature of the beast it will still break from time to time but no where near what other threads do. One thing I strongly suggest is that you lock the thread with a couple extra stitches when you come to an edge in your sewing or after several feet of stitching There is so much stretch in the thread that this will prevent a snap later on. Also if the thread does break be sure to snip as closely as possible to the top of the quilt at the time of the breakage other wise it will be difficult to find those little threads when the quilt is finished.
As I said Superior Thread is IMHO the best of the monofilament threads around and I used it whenever I decided to do such a quilt. It is worth the extra cost.

At least you were able to get it off the spool! Mine was a tangled mess from taking it from the package. Mine was a spool not a cone. I got it at Joanns but can’t tell you what brand. I was so frustrated I may have thrown it.

Thanks, everyone. It sounds like maybe I should switch brands, loosen the tension, and maybe change the thickness of my bobbin thread. I will give those a try and hopefully they will work. I absolutely love the look of the invisible thread, so I hope I can get it figured out.

On my domestic, I need to drop the top tension way down and use a thread net. I like Superior monopoly and I've used it with 50 wt Isacord poly in the bobbin.

I haven't used it on a quilt, but have made several table runners and wall hanging. I only us YLI or Superior thread and haven't had any problems. I usually put it on a tall thread stand behind my sewing machine and use a thread net. Sometimes, I even turn the spool upside down and it will come off better if I have any hang up's.

I like YLI or superior for invisible threads. They are quality and I never have issues sitd or fmq with them.