I have found the large spools of thread at walmart, both cotton and polyester, and wondered what everyone out there uses in their quilting. The polyester is $2 and cotton at $6. I have been a sewer of clothes since I was 9, I have always used the polyester thread and never any problems. I am also using up my older colored threads to piece the tops .... doesn't show anywhere....but just white to FMQ.

poly is ok for clothes, but cotton is better for quilts.

There is one situation where I definitely prefer cotton thread , and that is when working with gingham. Now that's odd, isn't it? Because gingham is a poly/cotton blend.

The reason is that gingham is a very lightweight fabric, and the stitching lines tend to pucker when I use polyester thread. If I use cotton thread, the stitching lies flatter. I have thought and thought about it, and I believe it is because the polyester thread has a bit of stretch to it, while the cotton thread has almost none.

I use the best quality threads I can get. I like Aurafil, Prescensia, Mettler, Marathon, and King Tut to name a few.

I really prefer to use the Anton-Robison rayon thread. It just seems to glide through the fabric.

I prefer cotton. Especially the nicer ones!

Do you have any problems with breakage with the Rayon threads? I've used it a couple of times and I found it difficult to sew with. . .

I got a bunch of rayon thread when I got my embroidery machine. I have been using it ever since then but only for embroidery. I use cotton to piece quilts.

I use them both. All the best bobbin threads are very thin poly. I use poly in the bobbin and cotton for the top. Right now I'm using Aurifil thread because I bought a lot of it on clearance. It's good thread but no better then some of the other quality brands. My machines like all brands of thread so I can take advantage of all thread sales.

Cotton. Aurifil is my preference and one of the best on the market.