Spudgm

I think the reason most people do not like to use polyester thread in their cotton quilts is because the polyester will last longer and as cotton fabric becomes older the polyester thread will cut the fabric where the cotton thread will not. At least that is what I have been told.

sewnut

Yes I use my serger thread in my regular machine and it does fine.

Tothill

Another one who has used serger thread to sew and piece. I am slowly quilting my first quilt and using embroidery thread. I embroidered motifs in the centre of each square and am doing a fancy stitch around each block with the same thread.

If it does not hold up, so be it, it is a learning experience.

IAmCatOwned

My sister is in the same boat. You have two choices - use the serger thread in all that colorful glory on all the spools or trade with someone for thread you can use to quilt. I personally would not use serger thread on my quilts, but other women have - some have been happy with the results, others, have not.

mshollysd

I have used cone thread for piecing a lot in my life. However, most of mine has gotten pretty old. Since I started quilting on the long arm quilter, I have become somewhat a "Thread snob". I will only use bottom line in my bobbin, and when I quilt I use a great poly or cotton top thread. Now piecing, I normally use a good cotton thread from Connecting Threads but in a pinch, I wouldn't think twice using my old serger thread.

purplefiend

www.superiorthreads.com is a great websit to learn about threads and needles for your machine. I don't like to use poly threads in my quilts because it melts when ironed, I'd much rather have cotton thread.
Sharon

Michellesews

Downsizing is HARD. As for threading your serger being a pain, don't you tie off? Much easier than rethreading everytime. Serger thread works well for piecing...a little thinner but sometimes that is a good thing.

oldtnquiltinglady

I, for one, have almost as much thread in my sewing room as I do fabric--and that is a LOT. I have lots of friends who have become "thread snobs" and ask me if I want what they are getting rid of. And my answer--of course. I can't stand the thought of wasting anything, so more thread gets added to my stash. I can find any color, any kind, any time I am on the hunt for the perfect one to work with when I am getting ready to sew, embroider, or quilt. However, I do use only one kind of embroidery thread--I am not out in my sewing room, so can't just look up and see the name of it. (One day soon I'll have this problem worked out--I got a laptop for my sewing room for Christmas.) My sisters and I are planning a work day soon, and I can hardly wait to get started on something to put in the fair this year.....

GrandmaCheryl

This is a great topic as I have had several warnings about serger thread in my sewing machine. One from my sewing advisor and one from the Huskvarna representative. They said it would be hard on my (very expensive) sewing/embroidery machine as it shreds more easily than the triple wound sewing thread. Also, they advised me to use only Maxi-Lock in my serger as in their opinion it was the better of serger threads. So, being a novice and not knowing too much, I have followed their advice. I use Connecting Threads cotton threads for piecing and general sewing; however I find they sure create a lot of fuzz. Anyone else have this problem?

cricket_iscute

Cone thread is different from serger thread. Cone thread is usually 50 weight if cotton, but could be something else. 50 weight/3 ply cotton is always a good choice for piecing and can be good for quilting. Serger thread is two ply and not intended to be strong. That's why you use at least two spools of serger thread per seam, often more, plus a regular thread in the serger's needle. I would never use serger thread for anything except serged seams, and I did once serge two quilts, all seams, plus use a 50/3 cotton in two needles, and both quilts are still doing just fine 20 years later. Yes, serger thread does come on a cone, but that's where the similarities end.

40 weight cotton, normally 3 ply, is what is used for quilting most often. That's where you find your variegated threads. It is a stronger, thicker thread that will stand up to tugging on a quilt. There is also 30 weight, 35 weight, 12 weight, and others, which are used for decorative impact. The lower the number, the thicker the thread. 12 weight thread is intended to lay on top the fabric and be noticed. 60 weight thread, which is often polyester, is thinner than 50 weight. It could be stronger than 50 weight cotton in some threads, except for spun polyester, which is made of short pieces of leftover poly put together. I might piece homeless quilts with spun poly but I wouldn't quilt with it.

Which brings us to a controversy that's been going for many years: can you use poly thread on cotton fabric? Some say the thread will eventually cut through the quilt. Indeed, I've seen several examples of that happening. Superior threads says it is okay with their threads. I've used Superior and have several times had long talks with their representatives and would be inclined to trust them, but I would still test on a smaller quilt before doing an heirloom quilt with poly.

Rayon thread is decorative. It is not strong enough to be a primary quilting thread, IMHO, and definitely is not intended for piecing. It is good for thread painting.