Tips for invisible thread?
04-22-2020, 09:10 PM
#11
Super Member
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 1,660
I use superior ‘invisible’ monofilament thread. I use Sofine 50 or something similar in the bobbin I have never been able to get any of them to work without using a regular thin thread in the bobbin.
It’s easier to use a walking foot than to do FMQ
It’s easier to use a walking foot than to do FMQ
04-23-2020, 03:12 AM
#13
Super Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Manassas, VA
Posts: 1,984
I use the YLI monopoly brand with a thread net. The thread net controls the unspooling.
If you don't know what a thread net is, here is a link to one brand: https://smile.amazon.com/Threads-Unw...7640119&sr=8-4
I haven't used this particular brand. It's just to give you the idea of what you need. I got my nets at a quilt show.
If you don't know what a thread net is, here is a link to one brand: https://smile.amazon.com/Threads-Unw...7640119&sr=8-4
I haven't used this particular brand. It's just to give you the idea of what you need. I got my nets at a quilt show.
04-23-2020, 04:07 AM
#14
Power Poster
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Northern Michigan
Posts: 12,861
I use Superior Threads mono poly invisible thread most often- sometimes YLI
i use regular thread in my bobbin. It is important to use a ( thread net) over the spool or cone to keep the thread from unwinding. I purchase mine from Superior Threads and it always comes with a thread net.
i use regular thread in my bobbin. It is important to use a ( thread net) over the spool or cone to keep the thread from unwinding. I purchase mine from Superior Threads and it always comes with a thread net.
04-23-2020, 04:36 AM
#15
Super Member
Join Date: Mar 2016
Posts: 2,826
I'm not an expert quilter. I sew on a vintage Singer sewing machine. I had a terrible problem the first time I tried to use invisible thread for applique, so gave up. It was Coats and Clark thread.
I've used Gutermann Invisible thread to quilt with a walking foot. I have had no problems whatsoever. I loosen the upper tension and use regular polyester thread in the bobbin. The Gutermann thread says it's 100% polamida, and made in Mexico. I searched for a definition of "polamida", but was unable to find one. I also used a spanish/english translator, but got no answer. I assume it's polyester. I worked fine with a walking foot. I purchased it at JoAnn's. It's available on Amazon.
bkay
I've used Gutermann Invisible thread to quilt with a walking foot. I have had no problems whatsoever. I loosen the upper tension and use regular polyester thread in the bobbin. The Gutermann thread says it's 100% polamida, and made in Mexico. I searched for a definition of "polamida", but was unable to find one. I also used a spanish/english translator, but got no answer. I assume it's polyester. I worked fine with a walking foot. I purchased it at JoAnn's. It's available on Amazon.
bkay
Last edited by bkay; 04-23-2020 at 04:39 AM.
04-23-2020, 04:56 AM
#16
Super Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Waterford Michigan
Posts: 7,241
Like you, I have gone around in circles with monofilament threads until I settled on Superior! Now I have a spool that sits in front of me at my key board to remind me of what to use. If you could only see it through my screen. Here I am holding it up for you. It sews very well. I will use a matching 50 wt thread on the bobbin side. Of course by the nature of the beast it will still break from time to time but no where near what other threads do. One thing I strongly suggest is that you lock the thread with a couple extra stitches when you come to an edge in your sewing or after several feet of stitching There is so much stretch in the thread that this will prevent a snap later on. Also if the thread does break be sure to snip as closely as possible to the top of the quilt at the time of the breakage other wise it will be difficult to find those little threads when the quilt is finished.
As I said Superior Thread is IMHO the best of the monofilament threads around and I used it whenever I decided to do such a quilt. It is worth the extra cost.
As I said Superior Thread is IMHO the best of the monofilament threads around and I used it whenever I decided to do such a quilt. It is worth the extra cost.
04-23-2020, 06:37 AM
#17
Super Member
Join Date: Jul 2018
Location: Southern USA
Posts: 1,989
At least you were able to get it off the spool! Mine was a tangled mess from taking it from the package. Mine was a spool not a cone. I got it at Joanns but can’t tell you what brand. I was so frustrated I may have thrown it.
04-23-2020, 07:11 AM
#18
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2020
Posts: 4
Thanks, everyone. It sounds like maybe I should switch brands, loosen the tension, and maybe change the thickness of my bobbin thread. I will give those a try and hopefully they will work. I absolutely love the look of the invisible thread, so I hope I can get it figured out.
04-23-2020, 11:23 AM
#20
Member
Join Date: Jan 2020
Posts: 68
Originally Posted by rinchan314
Beginner here. I'm working on my first queen-size quilt, using a bunch of different shades and patterns of blue. I figured it would be easiest to use invisible thread so I don't take away from how nice all the colors already look together.
But this stuff is giving me fits!
First I tried Dritz "quilting thrrad"." It was nylon, .004. It was constantly breaking and tangling. I could barely touch it without a bunch of thread popping off the spool and tangling. All the extra thread would wrap around the machine, get stuck somewhere, and snap. Finally it got so tangled I couldn't use it anymore, so I threw it away and bought something new.
Now I'm using Sulky brand polyester, .004. This is the stuff my quilting book recommends. It is marginally better than the Dritz, but still driving me crazy. It's so fine. I guess that's good in terms of invisibility, but it's like my machine can't hang on to it. Half the time I start stitching to find it's pulled itself out of the needle on the first stitch, even if I hang onto it. It also doesn't like to feed itself. No matter which way I set the thread, it has a hard time pulling it off the spool. It's also driving my tension crazy. I've played with tension every which way and the only thing I can do to keep the tension balanced is to manually unwind the spool with my hand every few stitches. Otherwise it'll either start pulling the bobbin thread up top or it'll just stop feeding thread. I have tried using this thread in the bobbin but it will not wind, so I am using white cotton thread on the bottom.
I know there's got to be a way to do this, or people wouldn't use this thread in the first place. What am I missing? What's the trick?
But this stuff is giving me fits!
First I tried Dritz "quilting thrrad"." It was nylon, .004. It was constantly breaking and tangling. I could barely touch it without a bunch of thread popping off the spool and tangling. All the extra thread would wrap around the machine, get stuck somewhere, and snap. Finally it got so tangled I couldn't use it anymore, so I threw it away and bought something new.
Now I'm using Sulky brand polyester, .004. This is the stuff my quilting book recommends. It is marginally better than the Dritz, but still driving me crazy. It's so fine. I guess that's good in terms of invisibility, but it's like my machine can't hang on to it. Half the time I start stitching to find it's pulled itself out of the needle on the first stitch, even if I hang onto it. It also doesn't like to feed itself. No matter which way I set the thread, it has a hard time pulling it off the spool. It's also driving my tension crazy. I've played with tension every which way and the only thing I can do to keep the tension balanced is to manually unwind the spool with my hand every few stitches. Otherwise it'll either start pulling the bobbin thread up top or it'll just stop feeding thread. I have tried using this thread in the bobbin but it will not wind, so I am using white cotton thread on the bottom.
I know there's got to be a way to do this, or people wouldn't use this thread in the first place. What am I missing? What's the trick?
