Thread and Machine Needles
#22
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2020
Posts: 289
I already have ordered thread and needles, and some fabric. So I am pretty much set, and ready to go.
I found one person, Melanie Ham, on YouTube who has a series on how to do a basic quilt. It is the easiest, and most understandable video I have found so far. And I will be trying to follow her instructions with my first attempt at quilting.
I have some 4x4 inch blocks of pre-cut fabric that I have sorted, and will do a 12x12 block setup. To me this seems about right size for my first attempt. Unfortunately, the so called 4x4 inch blocks vary in size, so I am going to have to try trimming all the blocks I will use to a uniform size.
I will not be pre-washing this first one. It will never leave my house. It is only to learn how to use the sewing machine, and hone my sewing skills (I have none yet). I probably will not do anything but the font panel. As I said, this is my first, and I just need to get started, and learn.
I will do another thread on my first attempt. I guess there is a place on this Forum for such things. Will post a picture once I finish.
Thanks again for all the wonderful information and help. Sorry if my questions through a couple of threads were much the same. I am still learning how to do things on this Forum and subject.
I found one person, Melanie Ham, on YouTube who has a series on how to do a basic quilt. It is the easiest, and most understandable video I have found so far. And I will be trying to follow her instructions with my first attempt at quilting.
I have some 4x4 inch blocks of pre-cut fabric that I have sorted, and will do a 12x12 block setup. To me this seems about right size for my first attempt. Unfortunately, the so called 4x4 inch blocks vary in size, so I am going to have to try trimming all the blocks I will use to a uniform size.
I will not be pre-washing this first one. It will never leave my house. It is only to learn how to use the sewing machine, and hone my sewing skills (I have none yet). I probably will not do anything but the font panel. As I said, this is my first, and I just need to get started, and learn.
I will do another thread on my first attempt. I guess there is a place on this Forum for such things. Will post a picture once I finish.
Thanks again for all the wonderful information and help. Sorry if my questions through a couple of threads were much the same. I am still learning how to do things on this Forum and subject.
#23
Power Poster
Join Date: May 2008
Location: MN
Posts: 24,400
I am still surprised by how much I have yet to learn - and I have been "around" sewing for over 70 years.
Some people practice "steering/manipulating" the machine by using an unthreaded machine and paper - one can use lines or drawings - and one can see by where the needle punched holes in the paper how well one did!
A caution - this may tend to dull your needle - but - this is for practice. You can use junk mail, whatever.
Some people practice "steering/manipulating" the machine by using an unthreaded machine and paper - one can use lines or drawings - and one can see by where the needle punched holes in the paper how well one did!
A caution - this may tend to dull your needle - but - this is for practice. You can use junk mail, whatever.
#25
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2020
Posts: 289
I seem to learn the hard way. I tend to not see certain details of items when I am ordering things for the first time, and I did it with my order of thread.
I ordered SimThread black and white 5500 yard spools. One black and one white.
Well, they cannot fit in my Singer Quantum Stylist 9960, as they are too wide and long. I am guessing I need to stay with bobbins with 1500 yards or less.
I also didn't realize this was polyester thread.
Anyway, no way to use it, so maybe someone out there likes this type of thread. Just PM me. All I want is you to pay shipping.
I just ordered Connecting threads salt and pepper set that is 1500 yard size. Based on what I can see, that size bobbin should fit my machine, and they are filled with cotton thread.
I ordered SimThread black and white 5500 yard spools. One black and one white.
Well, they cannot fit in my Singer Quantum Stylist 9960, as they are too wide and long. I am guessing I need to stay with bobbins with 1500 yards or less.
I also didn't realize this was polyester thread.
Anyway, no way to use it, so maybe someone out there likes this type of thread. Just PM me. All I want is you to pay shipping.
I just ordered Connecting threads salt and pepper set that is 1500 yard size. Based on what I can see, that size bobbin should fit my machine, and they are filled with cotton thread.
#27
Super Member
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: kansas
Posts: 6,407
Welcome! I just placed an order to Superior Thread last night and can tell you that I love their thread. I use SoFine #50, Magnifico (thicker and shiney) and sometimes MonoPoly (invisible) and sometimes Omni or KingTut on the long arm. I prefer the SoFine #50. I just ordered some of their Sew ?? (can't remember the name) spools for piecing at $2/spool that I'm looking forward to using.
Yes--needles "match" threads--a #50 wt or finer (higher number) is good to go on regular machine with a 11 or 12 or higher needle. A thicker thread like King Tut would need a 14 (topstitch if you are going to quilt with it).
Yes--needles "match" threads--a #50 wt or finer (higher number) is good to go on regular machine with a 11 or 12 or higher needle. A thicker thread like King Tut would need a 14 (topstitch if you are going to quilt with it).
#28
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2020
Posts: 289
Pocoellie, Glad I have some experienced people here to baby me along. I put the cone in a 16 ounce glass behind the machine. The machine doesn't seem to know the difference of where the thread is coming from,,,,,so far.... Thanks so much for the tip.
Quiltingshorttimer Yes, I purchase #12 and #14 needles so far. The #12 is Universal, and #14 is Top Stitch. I'm hoping that gets me started for now
Quiltingshorttimer Yes, I purchase #12 and #14 needles so far. The #12 is Universal, and #14 is Top Stitch. I'm hoping that gets me started for now
#29
Power Poster
Join Date: May 2008
Location: MN
Posts: 24,400
I have used polyester thread and cotton thread. So far, the polyester thread has not melted under a hot iron.
I have heard that some nylon and monoilament threads will melt.
I have learned to do a bit of sewing on scraps before I sew on my "good" stuff.
I have heard that some nylon and monoilament threads will melt.
I have learned to do a bit of sewing on scraps before I sew on my "good" stuff.