What brand of thread do you use when making blocks with white thread? I tried using Dual Duty white all purpose and it pulls up from the bottom bobbin If I use a different color in the top it still pulls up tightly. I also have adjusted the tension and it doesn't help. I have been using light brown for both top and bottom thread and no problems at all and it is Dual Duty also.

I prefer gutermann thread. It seems to leave less fibers in my machine.

A thread I use is Essentials from Connecting Threads if I want cotton. Superior Threads also carries marvelous threads in cotton and poly. The last spool of Dual Duty I bought was really poor and I broke threads every six inches. It may have just been a bad spool, but I won't be buying any more.

Have you adjusted the bobbin tension? It should feel like half as much resistance as the top tension. That usually works for me.

I don't know for sure but I wouldn't think the color of thread would make any difference but if I'm wrong someone with more knowledge about it will correct me.

As to brand, I have always used Gutermann thread up until yesterday when I started using Connecting Threads. Time will tell if it's ok. A quilting instructor once told me that Gutermann was the best and I never had any problems with it, but I've heard many other brands mentioned on here.

I like Guterman. My vintage machine doesn't hold much on the bobbin and I can get a lot more thread on a bobbin with G than DD. I have always liked DD, but my LQS said it has changed and is coming off the spool twisting now. I am still buying it and haven't noticed a problem with my other machine. I am interested in a poly from Bottom Line, but haven't ordered yet. I am the rare person who doesn't care for Connecting Threads cotton. It's very linty and it breaks easily when I have to remove any stitches.

Color does make a difference. I've never noticed anything with white, but black DD is weaker.

I use Connecting Threads thread with no problems.

I've switched over to Aurafil thread, especially for the bobbin but on the top as well. I really like it!

I don't use the coast and clarks.
Have been using the Connecting threads. It's a good thread but I get more lint with it. Sometimes I use the Gutermann

My machines seem happy with whatever thread I throw at them. I do have a cone of super cheap black that is linty beyond belief. I may not use it again even though the machine sews fine with it.

I have noticed that sometimes the coats and clark white thread seems finer than the colored thread - I wonder if that might cause the problem?

Thanks for all the comments and I really do think the Coats and Clark white is my probelm.

My machines don't seem to care, but I find Gutermann to be way too linty and breakable. Just went to Aurifil and love it! Clearance prices at www. Tristan.bc.ca made me try it. Thanks to Candace from Elk Grove CA for that tip. Also like Masterpiece by Superior threads. But haven't tried Isacord, YLI, or Connecting Threads. Just my two cents. Superior Threads has lots of education on their website.

I have all brands of one spool or another and find myself using Connecting Threads the most. I like the poly cones of their thread, little lint, lightweight, and strong. Honestly the best metallic thread I have ever used is Coats and Clark, it gives me no problems at all. I bought some expensive metallic thread and it kept breaking and shredding no matter what size needle I used. I only buy C&C metallics now.

Try putting in freezer for a day or two( bobbin too) see if that helps may just need a little moisture to run/sew right I use coats and clark all the time Think somedays weather effects machine like me

I use a cone from Marathon Threads it's a 50w that I use top & bottom.
It have 6500 ft on it.
I sew everyday & still haven't made a dent on it. :D

Next quilt show I'll get another.
It's worth it.

Personally, I don't care for Coats & Clark, or Gutterman. Aurifil is my fave, but also use Signature and Connecting Threads. Superior Threads has a variety of nice ones also.

I love the threads from Connecting Threads... so does my machine and I use all colors.

Melody

I'm also an Aurifil fan. It's thin and low lint. C&C is too linty for me.

aurafil 50wt is the best!

I use Aurifil too. I gathered up all my C&C thread to donate, as I am soooo much happier with Aurifil. I also use Superior's "So Fine" for piecing. It's fabulous!

Okay, Aurifil is getting a lot of votes and I'm easily persuaded anyway. So I'm going to have to try it.

Melody

I use the cheapest serger thread in all of my machines - bobbin and top and have never had a problem. I use 3 different machines for piecing. My Singer 301 is my favorite though which I purchased 56 years ago and it has a jillion miles on it and has never been to a repair shop.

I started using Aurafil thread and really like it. You can order it at: followthatthread.com. I think you should try it I believe you will like it.

I use Aurifil - less lint and it lasts longer in the bobbin. I don't use white to piece, usually gray or even an ecru.

Never seen Aurafil, guess I need to try some!

Where do you purchase Aurafil thread??? I do not have a quilting store anywhere near me.

I'm a Bottom Line fan http://www.superiorthreads.com.
I always use it in bobbins, they last forever it's that thin.
If I don't want it as a top thread I use Aurifil, a lovely cotton thread - seams press really flat.

In answer to Homespun - I bought alot of Aurifil from a Canadian vendor. I've also bought from a gal in Massachusetts, can't remember her name. Try typing "Aurifil 50wt" in Google.
I see http://www.redrockthreads.com has a good selection of the 50 wt.

I'm very new to quilting though I have been sewing since I was a child. Coats and Clark has been what is closest to buy but I am no longer using it. There is so much fuzz left on/in my machine- in fact my Bernina is in the shop now. I am using metrosene from my sewing machine dealer store but am also going to try aurifil based on the recommendations here.

Thank you for the information.

I use all kinds and brands, never any problem, Cant afford the more expensive threads,I use too much. My elna machine is not picky either.lol. Dont notice too much lint, The only one I wont buy again is Maxey for the serger on cones, It shredded like crazy even tho I change needles frequently. Other wise, Masterpiece,C and S, etc. whencver is the cheapest good thread.

My machine doesn't care which thread I use, but I have ad problems with Coats & Clark.

I just use anything I have on hand for putting my blocks together and do not have any problems.

When I purchased my janome horizon they told me not to use coats and clarks thread. Of course I have tons of it, but am afraid to use it in my machine. So now I'm trying to collect a variety of "good quality" threads and am horrified by the price, and I'm confused about the different types .... polyester, cotton, etc. I'm looking for a good reasonably priced thread that is suitable for piecing, quilting and general sewing?

I use Gutermann for everything

Color won't matter, but I did read a recommendation from Nancy Zimmerman or one of the other pros to use gray thread if working with multi-colors or prints.

Your problem HAS to be a tension problem--probably bobbin tension.

Make sure the thread spool doesn't have a notch at the end of spool for locking the thread when not in use. That will cause the upper thread to pull the bobbin out of the case. If this is the problem turn the thread spool over so the thread comes off on the smoother side of the spool. Do you follow? Hope so

Good Luck

Suzy

How do you use those big cones on a normal machine, when they are too big for the bobbin spool?

I have a thread stand with a cast iron base that stands beside my machine and have never had a problem with them. you can get the plastic ones at Hancock Fabrics or Jo Anns but they can be very tippy. I get the heavy ones from Clotildes or other places on line. Wouldn't sew without one. I use mainly large spools for sewing or quilting.

Suzy

Thanks! I didn't know about those.

Aurifil is wonderful, but "So Fine" by Superior is now my favorite. (They are really comparible, but "So Fine" is a bigger cone of thread. Plus, my bobbin holds doesn't run out of thread as fast.
My favorite colors are #487 "Helena" or #456 "Goosedown. They are greens that blend into anything... The only time I piece with another color is when I'm sewing really,really light colors. Then I use #402 "Pearl".
You can go to www.superiorthreads.com to check out their colors.

If I use anything other than "Gutermann" my machine messes up. I'd like to find something a little cheaper but my repairman says "Gutermann" is the best thread on the market.