Trying to downsize
 

Being a new year etc. I have the downsizing and organizing bug. When I first got my serger I went crazy and purchased thread for it in lots of different shades etc. It wasn't long before I figured out that changing four threads for every little project was a big pain. I probably own more than 50 spools of serger thread in different colors etc. I don't longarm and only basically machine quilt Linus quilts. What can I use all of that serger thread for? Is it alright for machine quilting or as bobbin thread for embroidery?
I use my serger to do the basic sewing on my Linus quilts as most of them are just lengths of colorful child friendly prints backed with flannel and layered with batting. I make them envelope style and "birth" them. I sew the "envelope" with the serger, it cuts down on bulk and makes the seam sturdy. Since those seams are hidden I just use white or cream colored thread for them.
Once they are turned I machine quilt them very simply with a decorative stitch and often varigated thread.

I too have trying to downsize in my sewing room. A person can just get too much stuff in there and then can't find anything I found. Been cleaning out and purging, sorting and trying to use up some of what I have. I have two sergers and tend to use the old one (they both are oLd)to make burp cloths and receiving blankets for babies. I would think it is fine for machine quilting but I would hesitate with the embrodiery part of it.

I use serger thread for machine piecing my quilts all the time. Never had an issue with it. Pick a color and go!

Embroidery thread for the bobbin is usually white(if the piece is not reversible, and is very fine (40wt) so it won't create bulk in the many stitches of a design. The colors would be usable on top if you don't mind a "no sheen" look--which poly & rayon give. Personally, I use the serger cones for piecing all the time. And like you< I have tons of them --some came from factory sewing and I don't even know what fabric items they were used for. But if it's still strong--it is still usable!

i used up (tons) of serger thread for quilting, piecing, bobbins...my mom had purchased a store going out of business stock & brought home literally hundreds of cones of 'maxi lock' thread- we both used it for about everything for years...there isn't much of it left now- we both sew alot- we never had any problems with any use of it-

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I was given a ton of cone thread a couple of years ago. I use it both for piecing & quilting. Have not had any problems with it at all.

When we first got our quilter the only thread we could use with it was Maxi-Lock serger thread (100% polyester). The quilts we have made with it are still going strong. We have not used it for piecing.

Darren

I've used my serger thread for everything with no issues. It works great for you embroidery machine, I use it to create a shadow effect on my embroidery as most of the embroidery thread is shiny and the serger thread is matte. Try a sample, I think you'll like it.

I have used maxi lock for piecing for more years than I want to admit to,lol-guess I am getting old

If you are talking about "Maxilock", it is not a thread that was made to hold up to seaming or quilting. It was designed to be a cheap and light thread for finishing the cut edges of garments, to keep them from raveling. It sounds like people have gotten away with using it on their quilts, but if you want your quilts to last a lifetime, I wouldn't use it. I made all my kid's clothes when they were small, using a serger and knit fabrics as much as possible (faster, easier). It was then that I learned the serged seams with Maxilock do not hold up. The thread will break easily in any kind of stretchy seam under stress. I know quilt seams are not stretchy, but a thread salesman confirmed my findings that Maxilock is a lightweight thread. I would use at least a Tex 40 rated thread for quilts. Maxilock is only a Tex 27.

@ Sewbizgirl: Thanks for the great info on maxilock. I still have a lot to learn about thread. There is so much out there.

Is there a single source of info to go to for learning about thread? Maybe I should just google it and not be so lazy!
thanks again.
peace

Fonz and Porter had this question on their Saturday morning show a few years back. They said the thread is lighter, therefore you get a lot more on your bobbin. The only difference is: serger thread is two ply, while most sewing threads are three ply. They said you would be fine using the cones of serger thread.

The reason the serger thread broke on the knits, is that the needle threads in serging are straight and flat, and any thread is likely to break on knits that stretch. Try to give a tug on those pieces as they go through the serger and see if that helps.

isn't serger thread polyester??? I wouldn't use it in a quilt. JMHO

I mostly serge my fabrics before washing....any color thread would do since you cut that edge off....

I may not know what I am talking about but I have used Maxi-Lock thread for regular sewing, serving and quilting for many many years. I have never had a problem with it. JMHO

I have never had a problem with it.

Count me in as one who uses serger thread for piecing , quilting, and any other sewing I do. I even use Walmart brand regularly. I have never had any problems and breakage is not a problem. I have never been able to understand the argument that cotton thread will last forever. I know for a fact, having several very old quilts, that cotton thread "rots" as my grandma use to say. I also have noticed old spools of thread that are cotton do break very easily (rotten thread!!!) but old spools of polyester (and I have several from Grandma) do not. That is my humble opinion on the matter.

There was a quilt Eleanor Burns made with a serger. That was a few yrs ago.

Not an expert on serger thread but believe it's simply 100% polyester. Not sure what the weight is though. I wouldn't hesitate using it for sewing. I buy Gutterman 50 wt. all-purpose polyester thread and pretty much just use that now for whatever I'm working on. Hope the "quilt police" don't read this or I'll get yelled at for not using 100% cotton thread for quilting. I do use it but depends on the project. A gift project quilt will be all cotton so hopefully that covers me with the "police" LOL

As for the serger, I had a basic model and agree it's a pain to thread. I got to where I wasn't using it because if I broke a thread, I stopped using it until I was up to rethreading it. I finally broke down and upgraded to an air-thread system Babylock serger. LOVE LOVE LOVE this serger. Takes about 2 minutes to switch threads.

vickig in mi

As usuall great info. Have also "inherited" lots of cone thread and will now use it in more instances than just serging (by the way, which i love)

Yes I use my serger thread in my regular machine and it does fine.

Another one who has used serger thread to sew and piece. I am slowly quilting my first quilt and using embroidery thread. I embroidered motifs in the centre of each square and am doing a fancy stitch around each block with the same thread.

If it does not hold up, so be it, it is a learning experience.

My sister is in the same boat. You have two choices - use the serger thread in all that colorful glory on all the spools or trade with someone for thread you can use to quilt. I personally would not use serger thread on my quilts, but other women have - some have been happy with the results, others, have not.

I have used cone thread for piecing a lot in my life. However, most of mine has gotten pretty old. Since I started quilting on the long arm quilter, I have become somewhat a "Thread snob". I will only use bottom line in my bobbin, and when I quilt I use a great poly or cotton top thread. Now piecing, I normally use a good cotton thread from Connecting Threads but in a pinch, I wouldn't think twice using my old serger thread.

www.superiorthreads.com is a great websit to learn about threads and needles for your machine. I don't like to use poly threads in my quilts because it melts when ironed, I'd much rather have cotton thread.
Sharon

Downsizing is HARD. As for threading your serger being a pain, don't you tie off? Much easier than rethreading everytime. Serger thread works well for piecing...a little thinner but sometimes that is a good thing.

I, for one, have almost as much thread in my sewing room as I do fabric--and that is a LOT. I have lots of friends who have become "thread snobs" and ask me if I want what they are getting rid of. And my answer--of course. I can't stand the thought of wasting anything, so more thread gets added to my stash. I can find any color, any kind, any time I am on the hunt for the perfect one to work with when I am getting ready to sew, embroider, or quilt. However, I do use only one kind of embroidery thread--I am not out in my sewing room, so can't just look up and see the name of it. (One day soon I'll have this problem worked out--I got a laptop for my sewing room for Christmas.) My sisters and I are planning a work day soon, and I can hardly wait to get started on something to put in the fair this year.....

This is a great topic as I have had several warnings about serger thread in my sewing machine. One from my sewing advisor and one from the Huskvarna representative. They said it would be hard on my (very expensive) sewing/embroidery machine as it shreds more easily than the triple wound sewing thread. Also, they advised me to use only Maxi-Lock in my serger as in their opinion it was the better of serger threads. So, being a novice and not knowing too much, I have followed their advice. I use Connecting Threads cotton threads for piecing and general sewing; however I find they sure create a lot of fuzz. Anyone else have this problem?

Cone thread is different from serger thread. Cone thread is usually 50 weight if cotton, but could be something else. 50 weight/3 ply cotton is always a good choice for piecing and can be good for quilting. Serger thread is two ply and not intended to be strong. That's why you use at least two spools of serger thread per seam, often more, plus a regular thread in the serger's needle. I would never use serger thread for anything except serged seams, and I did once serge two quilts, all seams, plus use a 50/3 cotton in two needles, and both quilts are still doing just fine 20 years later. Yes, serger thread does come on a cone, but that's where the similarities end.

40 weight cotton, normally 3 ply, is what is used for quilting most often. That's where you find your variegated threads. It is a stronger, thicker thread that will stand up to tugging on a quilt. There is also 30 weight, 35 weight, 12 weight, and others, which are used for decorative impact. The lower the number, the thicker the thread. 12 weight thread is intended to lay on top the fabric and be noticed. 60 weight thread, which is often polyester, is thinner than 50 weight. It could be stronger than 50 weight cotton in some threads, except for spun polyester, which is made of short pieces of leftover poly put together. I might piece homeless quilts with spun poly but I wouldn't quilt with it.

Which brings us to a controversy that's been going for many years: can you use poly thread on cotton fabric? Some say the thread will eventually cut through the quilt. Indeed, I've seen several examples of that happening. Superior threads says it is okay with their threads. I've used Superior and have several times had long talks with their representatives and would be inclined to trust them, but I would still test on a smaller quilt before doing an heirloom quilt with poly.

Rayon thread is decorative. It is not strong enough to be a primary quilting thread, IMHO, and definitely is not intended for piecing. It is good for thread painting.

I piece with maxilock too - got it on clearance and have never had any problems using it in a vintage singer machine. Can't use it in my "modern" machines. They don't play nice. I don't use it in the bobbins though - even the vintage machines I have can't tolerate it as bobbin thread.

use it all the time for peiceing. just put it in a mug on the table in back of the machine and away i go. never had a problem. for holding the quilt together and quilting though i make sure i use cotton thread and i like to match my fabric.

I just made a serger quilt at an Eleanor Burns retreat. Had no problems with the threads.

Are there different qualities of serger thread? I have been told not to use it for quiting as it is weak. I also have a large supply which came free with my serger.wish I could use it.

Interesting and timely topic. I was just at my repair shop for my Topaz 30 Viking on Saturday. My repair man said it is perfectly OK to use serger thread in the bobbin when doing embroidery. I was surprised to hear this as I thought I had to use bobbin thread in the bobbin. Does anyone use it in the bobbin when doing embroidery? I have bobbin thread to use up, so haven't tried it yet. Thanks.

Wow! Thanks for the info guys!