SophieHatter

The quilt I made by hand when I was 10 has come undone because the quilting is essentially running stitch, so if a thread breaks anywhere the Whole Row just unravels. So the next one I did I quilted backstitch. That quilt worked well. Is there actually any reason not to backstitch, apart from speed?

But now I've watched a few hand quilting tutorials, and it looks like the running stitch is correct. I've raked my brains for what the secret is, and it seems to be: extra thick thread. Is that right? I just used normal sewing cotton - no wonder it snapped!

What sort of things (apart from colour) should I look for in a good quilting thread?

And in terms of colour, if I am trying to stitch-in-the-ditch inconspicuously between patches of all colours, what's the best colour for not showing in general - light or dark?

SusieQOH

To answer your first question I use quilting thread which is thicker than regular sewing thread. I buy a good quality brand.

For the second questions I would say maybe a light gray would be a good choice in the fabrics are all different colors.
I've never sewn in the ditch when quilting by hand but I know people do.
Hope this helps.

SophieHatter

Thanks. What brands are recommended?

Jingle

I only use Coats & Clark's quilting thread. Works great for me. If I don't have the right color/shade I just use off white.

JustAbitCrazy

One other thing about hand quilting---when quilting straight lines, don't quilt long, long, long straight lines, because those can break when the quilt is used in bed when the person under the quilt rolls from side to side and stretches the quilt. Instead of quilting long, long lines, switch directions periodically, or switch which lines of thread you are quilting, at intervals, and come back to quilt another section of the long, long line of quilting.

joe'smom

I've seen it advised to only use 12" of thread at a time when hand quilting; I thought that was to prevent tangling, but maybe it also has to do with minimizing the damage if a stitch should break and the whole row come out.

I like to use the threads that are designed for hand quilting; they seem thicker and stronger than piecing thread. I have used Gutermann hand quilting thread and like it, and am now trying out the Superior Threads brand of hand quilting thread, called 'Treasure,' and it feels very similar to the Gutermann. I've been using Aurifil 24 wt. on a quilt currently, because of the color selection, but I don't care for it. The thread frays, making it harder to thread the needle, and it always breaks off from where I have it anchored at the eye before I'm done with it.

Another thing to consider is the amount of quilting. A quilt that is adequately quilted is less likely to have stitches breaking, I would think.

bearisgray

Another color that sort of disappears is what Coats & Clark calls "smoke"

I think of it as the color of Easter egg dye when all the colors are dumped together. Sort of a medium greenish gray - or grayish green.

SophieHatter

Thanks, that's helpful advice everyone.

Another thing I've heard is that the ends of the thread should be at the edges of the quilt where possible - is that correct? It doesn't sound possible if the threads are 12"! Isn't it also more likely to come undone at the knots, if they pop through?

Stitchnripper

Are you talking just about hand quilting? I like coats and Clark glacé for hand quilting but have used other threads too. I bury the knots wherever the thread ends. My quilts aren’t very old but so far no thread has broken. I have one large one about 10 years old I use and wash and dry in the machines and it is still fine.

nanna-up-north

Standard sewing thread is 50 wt. Hand quilting thread (and what I use on the LA as well) is 40 wt. Thread is thinner the larger the number so the smaller the number, the thicker the thread. I do like the glazed thread for hand quilting. It's is about the same as running the thread through wax to strengthen it. I use Superior thread for the LA quilting. If I waxed it I could use it for hand quilting as well.

As far as color goes, the standard rule has always been slightly darker is better than lighter in color. So, if I have a quilt with lots of colors I usually go with whatever the darker fabric is or use a varigated thread. I hope all this information helps.