Applique thread
10-13-2012, 06:45 AM
#11
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Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Michigan
Posts: 3,334
Nanna-up-north said " I try to stay away from 100% poly because the thread is so much stronger than the fabric and I've heard that it can cut the fabric over time. I've seen that happen on really old quilts that got used and washed a lot." This statement kinda puzzled me cause I didn't think poly thread had been around for a terribly long time? Maybe it was the fabric dyes that weakened the fabric? Or stitches were too tight or needle too large? Does anyone know what could make that happen? I've done applique w/poly thread because it is strong, but I'd hate to have my quilts someday start to deteriorate because of it.
I did check the Clothide (I think that's correct) site about their thread information and found this quote:
Fiber: Try to match thread fiber to fabric fiber. Cotton fabric should be sewn with cotton thread; polyester or manmade fiber should be sewn with polyester thread. If possible, don't sew natural fibers with polyester thread. Polyester fiber is stronger than most natural thread, so over time, the stronger polyester thread can break the weaker cotton fiber of the fabric. For quilting, look for thread labeled "machine quilting" or "hand quilting."
So, polyester thread is available to all of us today.... I just don't buy any of it for quilting due to its strength. It is still okay for polyester fabric.... but I don't buy any of that....don't like the feel. There are still plenty of those iron-strong quilts made back in the 1960's from polyester knits..... really don't like those but I hear they are warm and wear like nothing else.
Nanna
10-13-2012, 07:00 AM
#12
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Join Date: May 2012
Location: The Granite City, Scotland
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Hello and welcome to the board. I do a lot of raw-edge appliqué and as the others have said, it's up to you what you use and what effect you're trying to achieve.
Some like their appliqué to blend in, so use a cotton that exactly matches their piece. Others like a little emphasis on their hard work so use a rayon or polyester.
There are whole articles about what thread to use - some will tell you cotton, some silk and some will say rayon.... Others believe that a trilobal polyester is better than rayon if you like a sheen on your work.
Possibly not the definitive answer you were hoping for, but happy appliquéing!
Some like their appliqué to blend in, so use a cotton that exactly matches their piece. Others like a little emphasis on their hard work so use a rayon or polyester.
There are whole articles about what thread to use - some will tell you cotton, some silk and some will say rayon.... Others believe that a trilobal polyester is better than rayon if you like a sheen on your work.
Possibly not the definitive answer you were hoping for, but happy appliquéing!
10-13-2012, 08:55 AM
#14
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Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Michigan. . .FINALLY!!!!
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I use cotton and silk. Sometimes I use the same color as the fabric and sometimes I don't. Sometimes I use black thread and outline a project and have it stand out and it really looks pretty. Or I'll use a different color. It depends on the project. Sometimes I'll use a lemon yellow when it's more of a soft yellow and make it stand out. I like the thread to stand out sometimes. I do a lot of hand work on the applique and want my handwork to show sometimes and so what's necessary to make it stand out. Other times I don't want it to stand out at all. It depends on the applique I'm working on. So you have to decide for yourself. I use cotton all the time because I have a trillion spools of cotton and not to many spools of silk.
10-13-2012, 09:55 AM
#15
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Location: Western Wisconsin
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I did some online research awhile ago on threads and found that silk thread (at least sometimes) deteriorates faster than other thread. One quilter said that she had appliqued a quilt seven years previously, had used both silk and cotton thread, and was having to repair all the patches she had sewn with the silk thread.
10-14-2012, 04:19 AM
#18
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Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Norfolk, VA
Posts: 5,397
I really like Aurifil because it's cotton and only 2 ply so it blends in well with the applique. I was taught to use cotton and was told about this thread being good for it and since I use it more for piecing than any other thread I tried it and it works so well. Very strong thread; lots of colors to chose from
10-14-2012, 05:51 AM
#19
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Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Fox Valley Wisconsin
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I mostly use cotton thread, often the embroidery weight(60) and the brand I have most of is DMC. I have used silk, and find the few colors I have blend with just about everything. I also have used Mettler 50 weight as that is the thread I have the most colors of.
10-14-2012, 06:04 AM
#20
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Join Date: May 2010
Location: Orbiting
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You did not say what type of applique you are doing. Hand or machine, raw edged or turned? My fav is raw edged and decorative stitches and using fusible to hold it all in place. I go through my stash of thread and pick what ever I think will look best. Love the machine embroidery thread for this - it shines!
I know how to do hand applique - but like others on here - getting the arthritis in the old hands. But, remember, there's no stress on the applique like there is on seams in clothing. Your quilt, your call. We are all "artists" here so be creative.
I know how to do hand applique - but like others on here - getting the arthritis in the old hands. But, remember, there's no stress on the applique like there is on seams in clothing. Your quilt, your call. We are all "artists" here so be creative.
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