Onebyone

Aurifil 50 wt is only 2 ply. Great for piecing and very close quilting. For straight line quilting a couple of inches apart stronger thread is needed. I like Superior Omni thread for that type of quilting in the top and bobbin. I use the thin thread for close quilting and stippling.

Jingle

I use coats and clark threads, all purpose for piecing and quilting thread for quilting.

I would not use your thread.

Annaquilts

Poly cotton thread is stronger. Also are you setting your tension loose enough and using a bigger stitch lenght for the quilt lines. Also if you sit on top of a quilt that lays on top of a bed, not saying you do or not, the quilt will pop stitches because it acts as a hamock. I use aurafil and find it is great thread but not the strongest.

Kitsie

I use Guterman's for everything! No breakage problems on top or bottom. I wish you the best of success!

Iceblossom

Is this when you are laying on the quilt? The only times I've had threads break like that is when I've been pulling out heavy wet quilts from the washer (and I've improved my handling technique).

I think I'm with the others, consider basic Coats and Clark dual-duty or maybe a long-fiber cotton thread like King Tut for your upper thread. I used C&C DD for decades, only learning more about thread and needle combinations in the last 10 years or so, once I had access to a long arm. I personally find the Coats and Clark quilting thread to be extremely linty in my machine and would rather spend a couple more dollars per spool to use just about anything else, but sometimes it is the color I use and so I clean the case at least every bobbin, if not more often. I do like using a lighter weight on the bobbin and I'm getting good stitch quality.

I typically piece with a 10, and I start my quilting at a 14, sometimes moving up from there. While universals worked well with my vintage machine, I'm going to try a top stitch needle I think the next time I use the Bernina.

ameecharlin

I’m very careful washing quilts and handling them when wet. But after that, they’re used as couch blankets mostly. So I wouldn’t say they’re excessively abused. I will watch about sitting on them when they’re on a bed. I hadn’t thought of that.

I’m really thinking that the thread is not sufficient for how I use quilts. I will try the suggestions on here and hopefully that will solve the problem. Thank you so much for all your input. Your kindness is much appreciated.

joe'smom

I agree, I would go with a 3-ply thread for quilting.

Onebyone

I do not like Coats and Clark thread. It's linty and cost more per yard then the better quality thread. Don't be fooled by price per spool, go by price per yard on the spool and the quality. Coats seems to have a lot of slubs in the thread the last time I used it.

Dolphyngyrl

I believe aurifil is a 2 ply instead of 3. I had issues with it breaking with fmq so I personally never used it again. I prefer superior brand. Way less issues

RavenBlack

I've used Madeira poly thread and Mettler poly. Both worked well for quilting. I usually use 3 stitch length.