I am making my first machine quilt and would like to know if I should use the same thread in the bobbin as in the top thread. Making the top has been fun. Putting it all together is scary.

That all depends on the top, the thread and other stuff, too! Can you post a pic and give us more details? The folks here love to help, but we need a direction to go in.

Welcome from Southern Illinois.

I use a lighter thinner tread in the bottom.

Hello and Welcome from Northern Indiana ! Glad you joined us :lol:

I use the same top and bottom , but I only do SID

Hey from NH!!!!

I use the same in both.

welcome from New Hampshire
I don't machine quilt anything larger than a lap quilt. When I do machine quilt sometimes I use the same thread top and bobbin; I am devoted to Bottom Line in the bobbin (the bobbin lasts forever) Always have it in the bobbin regardless of what top thread I'm using.
http://www.superiorthreads.com

Welcome from Wi!

Hi & Welcome! I cant help you on this one, Im a hand quilter.

it is your choice, especially if you want a different color for the backing than the top; it also depends on your machine, sometimes the machine just behaves better when the threads are the same, sometimes it doesn't seem to matter. i would put together a small practice piece, sandwiched and try it out with the same and with different threads so you can see how they are going to interact. (be sure and try the threads you want to use to see if they will work.

Hi and welcome from the sunny state of Florida!!! I'm a hand quilter for the most part. I've only SID on baby quilts and I used the same top & bottom!

Welcome! I know this isn't really helpful, but I do some of all the above. I have used variegated, glow in the dark, and completely different colors in the bobbin depending on the look I want. Usually I use the same thread on both if I am quilting with my regular machine. If I'm using the long arm I use a thinner thread on a pre-filled bobbin.

If you are talking about the machine quilting part of the quilt-making...

If I want the thread on the back to not be visible, I use Superior Bottom Line thread...it is very thin and just blends into the back of the quilt. It is a 60 wt. thread. I then use reg. machine quilting thread on the top, which is usually a 40 or 50 wt.

If I want my quilting to stand out on the back, I use the same machine quilting thread in the top and the bottom. (40 or 50 wt.)

Hello and Welcome to the board :D:D:D
So glad that you joined us!!

DO you mean color or type? I generally use the same weight of thread in the top and the bobbin. The color depends on the quilt. If I work with variegated thread, I usually use the same throughout.

Welcome to the board from Southern California!

Thanks to all of you who gave suggestions as to thread on the top and bottom. I will use some practice as you suggested. Now I have another question. Do any of you use fusible batting? It sounds like a good idea. If so, do you still pin?

I usually use the same type thread in bobbin and top but not always the same color.
right now i'm using varigated rayon thread on top and my usual beige thread on the bobbin.
i use fusible batting or spray basting and only pin the border edges to keep those from coming unstuck while i quilt it.
then i soak the completed quilt in the washer and spin to remove the fusible residue.

Thank you. I bought the fusible battiing and then I got scared to use it. I love the idea of using verigated thread on the top!

Hello and welcome from SW Iowa. Glad to have you here. I use the same in the top and bottom.

I use invisible thread on the top (if I am quilting it) and the colour of the backing on the bottom. When peicing, i usually use the same colur top and bottom.

Welcome from the CA desert. I always use the same thread for everything (piecing, quilting, binding), white cotton. No reason, just lazy and I don't want to change thread all the time, also it works. Boy, am I a hacker or what!

Ok,I too use whatever works with my reg machines and my Longarms, I do like bobbin Thread I believe is 60 wt{it has another number on it , Most of the thread I get has these different new numbers I can't compare very easily to 40 wt etc. Was reading along to get pointers, Anyone know anything about these new numbers??? I have to pick and guess so yes whatever works. AH FUN!!! :wink: :?

I quickly checked online and found a really good brochure from YLI that gives lots of info on thread. I especially like pages 8-9 that explains the new number system, called TEX, and gives a great chart that compares brands, each with their old cotton count or denier number with the new TEX number. You can find it at
http://www.ylicorp.com/pdf/tot-brochure.pdf. Might not want to read the entire thing online, but it's the kind of reading I'd print and haul to the doctor's office to read while waiting. I figure when I'm bored, any kind of reading will do!

Link won't work for me :cry:

I'm new to machine quilting myself but have been practicing and found same thread top and bobbin easiest for now :-)

I've used different threads in the bobbin and on top. I'm a novice at fmq and so I'm looking at what will be the most forgiving. I've also used monofilament thread along with regular cotton thread and had no problems. You do have to make sure your tension is right so that only the thread you want shows.

I use the bottom line too. Love that thread.

I use the same top and bottom.

HEY! From Colorado! If you are unsure of your quilting expertise, use a bobbin thread to match the back. That way, if yo







u mess up-no one will see it!

Speaking of messing up-how did I do that?

You should always use bobbin thread in the bobbin--it is much finer than regular thread-it is either 50wt or60wt--use your walking foot and go for it--I would start out with straight lines and then crosshatch--good luck

I have used fusible batt for a couple of crib quilts, no pins, but very careful ironing to avoid permanent wrinkles on the backing fabric. Quilt very stiff; softened nicely after machine washing and drying before I sent them off.

For piecing I always use the same thread top and bobbin. And it doesn't have to match, just blend in like grays, creams, or white. Unless you are using a black in a lot of your quilt, then you'd want to use the dark gray or black.

Ditto on "Bottom Line" thread in bobbin. I love it; haven't used anything else since I found it (unless doing bobbin work). I have also found that Aurafil (sp?) thread makes less lint than any other brand I've used in the top. Good luck with your quilting ... an exciting new adventure!

I e-mailed Bob Purcell at Superior Threads to tell him that lots of Quilting Board members were lately saying how much they liked Bottom Line - he was delighted to hear it.

zzzzzzzzzzz

Thank you, everyone, for the very helpful information :-)

Welcome from Louisiana!
I use the same thread on top & bottom.

Welcome from Michigan,
I use the same weight thread top and bottom, however I do use different color to match the backing, it hides a multitude of sins.

Welcome...It's personal preference...I've used light weight(my preference) and same weight...There are no set rules...Try both and see what you like. :)