monofilament threat
 

I'm making some small Christmas decorations with appliqueing which call for monofilament thread. I've never used this before so I'm not sure if it "works" any differently than cotton thread.

Does it work well with machine quilting or am I looking at problems I don't want to deal with (as far as the sewing maching goes)?
Can it be used in combination with cotton thread (monofilament on top, cotton in bobbin)?
Is it a good option for quilting on full size quilts (such as quilting in which the color of the quilting thread won't show on the fabric)?

Thanks for your help!

I don’t have experience with it, but did a quick search here on the board, and there are a few other posts about it. Maybe read those while you are waiting for others to chime in.

I've appliqued on a quilt with monofilament thread on the top and cotton thread on the bottom. Worked well for me and loved the results. Have not used it for machine quilting so no input there.

what I have heard, using a fine normal thread in the bobbin when using monofilament makes it easier to get get good tension. Also many people including me like using a very fine thread like bottomline or even Aurifil 50 in a matching color works just fine. I personally like doing this as I think monofilament gives a little glisten that I don't like.

I've used monopoly in the needle and 40 or 50 wt in the bobbin just fine for applique and for quilting.

The one BIG caveat with using monopoly as a quilting thread is that you never, ever want to use it for a baby's or toddler's quilt or object. Tiny fingers and toes can get caught and strangled by it.

I would also refrain from using it for any pet items as well, because toenails and teeth can get caught and paws and jaws/gums injured as a result

I tried it once, had a difficult time getting the tensions correct. Then I had a hard time seeing the stitches. I tried to pull a length of it off the spool to test how strong the thread is and I cut my finger. It's like fishing line, dangerous stuff. I gave it to my neighbor who fishes.

I didn't notice the "threat" in the title until I copied it to Google what it was! lol! This is what Mrs. G had to say:
What needle is best for monofilament thread?
Needle Recommendations:

• 90/14 or 100/16 Universal, Microtex/Sharp, or Embroidery Needle (40wt, 50wt, or hand-wound monofilament in the bobbin)
• 4.0 Longarm Needle (40wt, 50wt, or hand-wound monofilament in the bobbin)

I didn't know what monofilament thread was. I'd try my metallic needles.

I didn't even notice that. 😁 Yes, I meant to write thread!!!!

I got some monopoly and the needles to go with it from Superior threads. I used regular thread in the bobbin. I was sewing some patches on the quilt top before quilting. I didn't seem to have any trouble with tension or stitches. I used a Brother PQ1500 straight stitch machine.

I use it a lot for machine applique. I use the poly by Superior not the nylon. Nylon mono is nasty stuff to sew with.