Need your input please
 

I wanted to know if anyone has ever heard about taking a spool of cotton thread and dipping it in vegetable oil and then taking a paper towel and wipe the excess off. Years ago when Levis were made in the US, I sewed the right side seam together and they had us do this to our thread. I asked why, they said that the cotton thread would fray because of the speed it was going into the machine. I would like to know if you think it would stain my quilt if I did this to my cotton thread all I have to use is coats and clark 30wt and it is fraying and breaking I have changed everything and cleaned everything but it is still breaking. I had a heart attack 10 months ago and now have no job so I have to use what I have and I always wash my quilts when I am finished with them. I am thinking about doing this to my thread but do not want to stain my quilt. What do you think? Sorry for the length, any help I would be grateful. Thank you.

I haven't heard of this, but maybe it had to be done because the denim is so thick. I don't think I would do it for a quilt, I'd be too afraid of the oil staining the fabric. Have you tried bee's wax on the thread or a product call Thread Heaven? Both make the thread smoother as it goes through the fabric. I am sure others will be able to give you other ideas. Thread Heaven is available at Keepsake Quilting on their web site. You may be able to find some locally.

Yes, I have heard of it, I've done it, I have quilting friends who have done it, and Sharon Schamber (multiple grand prize quilter) recommends and teaches it in her classes.

However. You do NOT want to use vegetable oil. You need to use white mineral oil, or pharmaceutical grade mineral oil. That is the only oil that will not put spots on your fabric. Dip your cone, let it sit and drain, then wipe any excess off the thread and cone. It won't make a mess inside your machine or on your fabric. If you're worried, try it on a scrap.

THANK YOU THANK YOU I knew someone on the board would know. You guys are great.

I don't know if any of the board members have used this. In a machine quilting class I took a few years ago, teacher recommended "Sewers Aid". It is a thread conditioner. The teacher was a Brother representative and a fantastic quilter.

I LOVE this board! I learn so much!

I use silicone in a spray can for this. Sometimes thread shreds due to the sewing speed or the thickness of fabrics, or maybe the eye of the needle is a bit small. I do this with my longarm, machine embroidery and normal sewing.

I had never heard of this. I have heard of beeswax for hand quilting but not for the machine. Sewer's aid always worked for me.

I dip all my thread in mineral oil, here's a link as to why http://westmichquilter.blogspot.com/...-schamber.html

I have never heard of using oil to condition my thread...I would be apprehensive to do it, but since Sharon Schamber recommends the mineral oil, and I would trust her input, you could give that a try if you wanted.