grandjan

I use polyester thread pretty regularly on my longarm. I've heard the whole "quilt police" theory about never, never using polyester thread on cotton cloth but I've also done some reading from people who appear to have a little more to substantiate their case that say that's nonsense. I use cotton if I want a thicker, more distinctive stitch--otherwise, poly is my go-to choice.

FroggyinTexas

Worrying about what is going to happen to a quilt over the period of a century is an exercise in futility. If the quilt is loved and used, the chances that it will survive 100 years are pretty slim. I have used any thread that was handy, including polyester, silk, rayon, etc., and so far the only thing I don't like is invisible thread.

My earliest quilts have been mechanically washed and dried many times and are still going strong even though they were made before I had a clue that WalMart fabric and Coats and Clark thread were verboten. They are about 50 years old now and when they are 100, it won't matter to me one way or the other whether a thread has broken. If it matters to the person who owns them then, they can fix them! It will give them something to do.

I gave my best friend my whole stash of invisible thread because she loves it.

froggyintexas

kheliwud

Polyester is actually stronger than cotton. I quilt with polyester, cotton and silk. Depends on the look I am trying to achieve. And I love Isacord!

twinkie

I have been told by several wholesale places that it is a myth about polyester cutting cotton fabric. I use it all the time.

margecam52

It used to be (for some, still is) the norm to use only cotton thread for sewing/quilting. That was probably due to nylon and rayon threads being used. Those threads don't hold up well.
I used polyester thread (serger cone) for a log cabin quilt I made 20+ years ago...it's still in use!

If you go to Superior threads and look at the education link...you will find that poly threads are fine to use on cottons. Unlike nylon, poly thread will not cut into cottons, will not rot like nylons.

I use poly threads all the time...the sheen and colors are beautiful on quilts.

Use what works for you.

rob529

I have 2 very used quilts, on the couch, that I quilted on the diagonal with cotton thread and the thread snaps like crazy when u pull on the quilt. Don't know about FMQ but any quilting I do on the diagonal from now on will be with poly thread. I was told the reasoning about not quilting with poly is that as the fabric ages the poly thread really doesn't and it will cut the fabric because it will be much stronger.
Robin in TX

mayday

Don't know what fmq is, was told that you should never piece with poly as iron can melt it and wreck your work.
I like king tut as it is thicker and doesn't screw up as much, but have many times used poly, think sometimes it's a bit of snobbery.

margecam52

melting of thread is in referrence to nylon, not polyester. Polyester is more heat tollerant than nylon.