feline fanatic

A 40 wt thread is pretty thick for piecing. Also as Patrice mentioned, stay away from Rayon for piecing. It is very weak thread and meant for decorative purposes such as embroidery, it isn't really intended for utilitarian use where any real pressure or torque is put on the thread (such as piecing seams). My piecing combo is bottom line in the bobbin and Aurifil 50 wt 2 ply cotton in the top. If you prefer all poly there is no reason you can't use bottom line in both top and bobbin. My friend who is a precision piecer and show quilter uses Wonderfil decobob in both top and bottom which is a very fine 80 wt polyester. I piece with only two colors of thread. A light taupe for lights and a dark charcoal for darks. A short stitch length and fine thread keeps any thread from showing in the piecing seams.

juliasb

I love my glide threads for both top and bottom. It is smooth and very strong. I do use pre-wound so fine from time to time for the bottom but feel much more comfortable with Glide.

feline fanatic

Are you using glide for piecing? I only use for quilting.

KBarm

Thank you all for your valuable thread information. One does not always think the topic of "thread" would have so many options of importance! I like the idea of using So Fine in the bobbin and top. I agree with the idea of backstitching with the So Fine
for I have had the stitches slip back. The only problem with that is chain piecing. I may try Aurifil 50 on the top.

This quilting board is great and I need to use it more often.

TheMerkleFamily

Superior Threads

I have learned much by reading through the "Education" tab (to the right) on the Superior Threads website - link above.

Coincidentally, I just read Cindy Needham's 'Needle & Thread' publication found on her website which was so very helpful to understanding how to select and use various types of thread & needle along with great advice on tension management.

Claire123

I use bottom line with my regular sewing thread. Sometimes I use it as both the bobbin thread and the top thread. I have always been happy with it. It is also great for stitching on bindings.

Onebyone

40 wt thread is too thick for me for piecing. Aurifil is 50wt 2 ply which is thinner then 50wt 3 ply which most cotton threads are. There are three things you need to know about thread.
1. The higher the weight the thinner the thread
2. The more ply the thicker the thread
3. What the thread is made of.

Long staple Egyptian cotton makes the best cotton thread
Short staple cotton thread, usually grown in the US, is the cheapest cotton, mostly going to manufacturers in Mexico. Thread education is fascinating. I now understand the price difference in quality thread from okay thread. Everyone has their favorite thread and some think their machine sews best with one type or brand of thread.

cashs_mom

I've used rayon thread for quilting in the past and it definitely won't stand up to repeated washings. I have a quilt I quilted with a variegated rayon thread that needs to be completely requilted. I used 50 wt Aurafil for piece and have been very happy with it. Using a finer thread has helped with my accuracy. There's less bulk in the seams.

Evelynquilts

Where is the best place to buy this bottom line thread? Would like to try it...

Iceblossom

Different brands are available in different ways -- I buy directly from Superior, Bottom Line is a line of threads as is So Fine.

https://www.superiorthreads.com/

Different people have different experiences with prewound bobbins, when my friend got her long arm, we couldn't wind a good bobbin to save our life and that's when I started going to Superior, first to buy prewound bobbins and then just to buy my thread.