Originally Posted by charlottequilts

I have a couple of thoughts on this one (for what they're worth). First, i don't get why the opinions of the folks at Superior Threads are so often cited as authoritative (or superior). Second, Harriet's daughter is doing a master's thesis on the physical qualities of thread, which should be at least as scholarly, or perhaps even more credible, since her main business isn't selling thread. It will be interesting to see the outcome of her work, i think.

Originally Posted by J.M.

I'm not sure what Harriet's daughter's work says about this topic,s.

Originally Posted by ghostrider

It will be generations from now, however, before there is actual proof, one way or the other, whether poly sewing thread cuts through cotton fabric threads. It simply hasn't been in use long enough at this time, making all opinions merely speculation at this point.

Originally Posted by YukonViv

I have two quilts my mom made when I was a kid. One is so soft with cotton fabrics, the other is rough with polyester blends. She used polyester thread in her piecing and quilting, unfortunately the cotton fabric quilt is falling apart along the seam lines and quilting lines. This is a well loved quilt that I have now washed a final time and put it up so it doesn't get more wear and tear.
The polyester quilt we couldn't kill if we tried, still has the fudgesicle stain from 2002, some random smear I can't identify.

My quilt instructor (she used to be a textiles teacher back in England about 40 years ago) explained once that polyester thread will cut the natural fabrics over time. I believe it as I have the quilt to prove it.

Originally Posted by YukonViv

I have two quilts my mom made when I was a kid. One is so soft with cotton fabrics, the other is rough with polyester blends. She used polyester thread in her piecing and quilting, unfortunately the cotton fabric quilt is falling apart along the seam lines and quilting lines. This is a well loved quilt that I have now washed a final time and put it up so it doesn't get more wear and tear.
The polyester quilt we couldn't kill if we tried, still has the fudgesicle stain from 2002, some random smear I can't identify.

My quilt instructor (she used to be a textiles teacher back in England about 40 years ago) explained once that polyester thread will cut the natural fabrics over time. I believe it as I have the quilt to prove it.

Originally Posted by ManiacQuilter2

We all have our own biases by how we were raised so this is one of those very gray area. I was told that polyester thread being strong would eventually literally cut thru with being against cotton fabric. You see antique quilts and they were most likely made with cotton thread. I was taught over 20 years ago to use cotton thread and I prefer to use Mettler Silk wrapped cotton thread. I also try to avoid using any invisible thread. I am from the old school that hand stitching the binding to the back of my quilt. I just think it has a more professional look to my quilts. But my best friend quilts a lot of charity quilts doing the machine binding stitching and I don't judge her for doing it a different way. Some quilters prefer W&N and other prefer Hobbs. Some quilters prefer a Bernina sewing machine while others prefer Janome. So if you ask a gray question, expect a wide diverse opinions on the subject. We ALL have something in common and that is the Love and Joy we put into the quilts we make.