Alice PD

I'm starting a clamshell quilt. I will be appliqueing each shell onto the other. I have made several samples using silk thread and really like the look and the way it handles; but, I keep hearing an old warning from a teacher of long ago which stated that you should not use silk, or polyester thread on cotton because it will eventually destroy the cotton threads. Each time I do an applique stitch, it only catches a few cotton threads (over and over). Do you think this quilt will fall apart after real use and necessary washings? All opinions and experiences would be truly appreciated.

QuiltE

I've had a lot of people recommend silk thread for hand applique.

I've only done a little applique, and have liked using the silk thread.
Nice to work with, holds well, plus is virtually invisible.

Another thread that works well, is Invisafil 100 wt.
Much like the silk for working with and a huge selection of colours to choose from.

ckcowl

I’ve been using silk thread for appliqué for over 20 years, have never had a problem with silk thread damaging my cotton fabric

DACO48

I have a friend who does hand applique and silk is all she has ever used. She says it disappears into the fabric.

quiltingshorttimer

I think that is outdated advice. Many/most machine quilters use a poly or poly/cotton and those quilts hold together very well. perhaps 30+ yrs ago the poly was so stiff and strong that it pulled through the cotton, but that doesn't seem to happen now.

cashs_mom

I can't imagine how silk thread would damage cotton fabric. I've used silk thread with cotton many times and never had a problem.

Alice PD

Thank you all for your input. I think I am going to do the applique with silk. It looks so nice. The class where I was told not to use polyester or silk thread with cotton fabric was about 30 years ago, so it makes sense that thread has been greatly improved since then.

quilterpurpledog

That misinformation about polyester thread goes back to the era when it was monofilament-like nylon and did cut cotton fabric. That characteristic disappeared when it was made in plies and twisted-like cotton. Silk works beautifully in applique because it sinks into the cotton and disappears.