gutermann cotton 50 weight.

For piecing I use aurifil, a cotton 2 ply 50 wt in the top and bottom line, which is a 2 ply 60 wt polyester in the bobbin. Like Peckish, I use the finer threads for precision piecing and I can load a lot of bottom line on my bobbin. I only piece with two colors of thread, no matter what color my fabric. A light taupe for all lights, mediums and brights so 90% of my piecing is done with this taupe color. I have a dark gray for all darks. If I am sewing a light to a dark I use the taupe. I use a small stitch length and the thread does not show in the seam. I also quilt heavily and usually ditch most of my seams so the fabric won't pull apart enough to show the thread.

For machine applique I will use 80 wt decobob. For hand applique 100 wt silk.

For quilting the sky is the limit. It all depends the look I am going for. Metallics, super fine polys super heavy cottons, holographic, and everything in between. I would say the majority of my quilting is done with 40 wt Trilobal poly, Glide being my brand of choice.

I use cotton because I like the idea of thread and fabric being from the same source. Also, I've never had an issue with it (but have never done miniature piecing).

I use Aurifil 50/2 and my machine just runs great with it.