crashnquilt

Well I will probably be raked over the coals here. I use MAXI LOCK a lot! I love using it for piecing and I also use it for quilting. When using for piecing I use an embroidery needle in my machine usually a 10 or 12. If I use MAXI LOCK for quilting on my domestic machine I use size 14 top stitch.
I have also used embroidery thread for quilting on my domestic using 14 top stitch.
Most of the time if you are having a problem with a thread, it is not the thread but the needle is the problem. The reason I switch to a 14 top stitch needle is to reduce reflection of the needle. Top stitch has a larger and stronger shaft. When free motion quilting, the needle gets "bent" or curved while moving the fabric. With a regular needle it can deflect or reflect against the hole in the needle plate creating an uneven stitch or break. Also the top stitch needle has a larger eye giving the thread a bit more room to move.
I am not one to rule out any type of thread to use until I have exhausted ALL possibilities. Things to try are:
Adjust tension
Change thread path (skip a thread guide going to the tensioner)
Change needle size and type
Use thread net on spool
Flip the spool over
Use spool cap
Remove spool cap
Hope this helps

feline fanatic

There are so many beautiful different threads on the market that it is a shame to limit yourself to only a few. There are loads of piecing threads that are just fine to use. There are no hard and fast rules, except as pointed out before you must use the right needle and tension adjustments for the thread you are using. I prefer a finer thread for piecing so I have an easier time of lining up points and intersecting pieces. Additionally you can use a different thread in the bobbin then you do in the top (for both piecing and quilting). You should experiment. Go to a big quilt show that has lots of vendors and buy different kinds or go to Superiors site and order a bunch of "try me" spools. They usually have "try me" specials on almost every thread at a discounted price. But you can't choose the color, they will.

For piecing, my usual combo is Aurifil 50 wt 2 ply cotton in the top and Bottom line 60 wt poly in the bobbin.

For machine quilting on my longarm I have used clear monofiliment (both a polyester and a nylon), metallic, holographic, embroidery (40 wt poly usually), cotton, everything from super fine 100wt silk and polyester to super heavy 12 wt cotton with fantastic results. Oh and I have used numerous types of thread on a single quilt.

One time I used a rayon variegated thread in my domestic to quilt a child's quilt. It seemed to work fine. I have since found out that rayon is notoriously weak and often not colorfast. I donated the quilt to charity so I have no idea how it held up. But since learning that I don't use rayon but others have used it with no issues at all. It all depends on the look you are going for and the application.

Here are some variables to consider when choosing the thread for quilting your quilt.

Is the quilt an art quilt, a utility quilt, a fancy show quilt, a table topper that will be removed when the table is in use or placemats and table topper/runner that are meant to take a lot of use, hot dishes, spills and abuse, or maybe it is a wall hanging that will never be washed with lots of embellishments.

How much stress will be on the quilt? A child's drag around quilt that is washed a lot will take a lot more abuse than bed quilt that goes in the guest bedroom and is only used occasionally and washed infrequently.

Do you want the quilting to stand out, play an equal role or just hold things together with very little or no visible texture?

How long do you want the quilt to last? Are you hoping it will last a very long time and maybe be passed down to children or grandchildren or do you not care and when it wears out you will simply make another?

What kind of batting did you use? How far apart can you space the quilting and will the quilt still hold up and look nice if you quilt the minimum amount needed? (That will need a much stronger thread)

Before choosing a thread for quilting you should consider all these variables and then make your selection.

ckcowl

I machine quilt with the thread that works best for my project, cotton, polyester, silk, invisible, heavy, fine, verigated, solid, what ever my machine likes & I like for the quilt I'm quilting.

maviskw

I use serger thread all the time. When an item is serged, one or two threads are straight in the seam. The other threads are looped. The straight threads need to be strong.

Serger thread seems lighter weight because it is two strands, whereas most sewing thread had three strands. Aurifil has only two strands as well, and is also a thinner thread. You can get way more on the bobbin with that.

illinois

I use serger thread almost all the time, especially if it is a project that I can use my basic white, cream or gray. I've had no problem with it at all and I don't run out as often. It seems to be strong enough for piecing the projects I do. If I were quilting for competition, I might think differently but my quilts are for using or hanging on a wall at home. Whatever you choose is good. Maybe use up some "old" stuff as long as it passes the test of pulling on it between your hands--it works for piecing. (Will be inside and nobody knows.)

klswift

Unless you are entering a show, there isn't a thread you must use for quilting. What do you like? what does your machine like? Sometimes using a clear nylon thread works because you do not want any color to show. (Caution, do not use with a child's quilt. If it comes loose, it will create a toe or finger hold and can hurt the child.) Sometimes a variegated thread is nice because of the subtle color changes. Sometimes you want the bold look of a contrasting color. Note that I have not mentioned the type of thread - that is your preference. Over time we have all found the type or brand of thread we prefer. Only thing I would say NOT to use is very cheap thread or old thread you found in your mother's or grandmother's sewing basket. That old cotton thread is weak and very linty.

fivepaws

[QUOTE=Idle Di;7818807]Hi everyone sorry but what sort of thread should I use for quilting with the machine, some have told me that I have to use special thread, and some have told me that normal thread is ok, what is the normal thread.

I believe that Superior Threads makes a thread that says machine quilting. Check them out. Most of the time I just use regular thread. It is a lot cheaper.

Sheep Farmer

For basic machine quilting I just use any cotton 40wt thread (as long as my machine likes it).