| The choices of thread for machine quilting can be | | | | trickier to work with in the bobbin. Often you will see |
| overwhelming, especially for the beginner quilter. We | | | | instructions to adjust that little screw on your bobbin |
| often embrace the mistaken impression that 100 | | | | case. BEWARE. These are preset at the factory and |
| percent cotton or cotton-covered polyester sewing | | | | you run the risk of having trouble when you try to set |
| thread is the only thread to be used for our quilting | | | | them back to the original setting. A better idea is to |
| masterpieces. Thread made with synthetic fibers, over | | | | purchase a second bobbin case and only play with the |
| time, may cut into cotton fabric, especially where | | | | settings on one of them. I dabbed a spot of red nail |
| blocks are joined. For this reason, cotton or | | | | polish on the one I play with so I wouldn't confuse the |
| cotton-covered polyester is often the choice of | | | | two. When using the monofilament thread, I |
| threads by quilters. However, there are OTHER | | | | experienced trouble with it falling off the spool even |
| choices of thread for machine quilting. | | | | though I did all the usual "fixes". The answer for me |
| So many of our quilts are sewn for the experience of | | | | was to set the spool in a small baby food jar instead |
| learning a new pattern, trying out our own designs or | | | | of putting it on my spool holder. Monofilaments are |
| just for the fun of it. It's usually our intention that these | | | | nylon or polyester, available in clear or smoke color |
| quilts will be used for our comfort or the comfort of | | | | and seem to sew better with a 90/14 needle. YLI and |
| our friends, children, grandchildren or our beloved pets. | | | | Sulky are good brands. Monofilaments will give you an |
| Our purpose is generally for our quilt to bring happiness | | | | antique or hand-quilted look. If you sew on a dark |
| to whoever the lucky person is that receives it. I don't | | | | fabric, the smoke color is best to use because the |
| know about you, but I usually stipulate to the receiver | | | | clear one will look shiny and be more visible. |
| to "use their new quilt and enjoy it". Doesn't it make | | | | A great 100% cotton thread to use is Mettler 50/3 wt |
| you happy to walk into a home where one of your | | | | and YLI 40/3 wt. These brands seem to have less |
| quilts live and see it on the couch, or on the floor in | | | | breakage than others which as you know, is key to |
| front of the TV instead of being hid away in a hope | | | | machine quilting. The Mettler thread is slightly stiffer |
| chest? | | | | than the YLI but the YLI has a more decorative look. A |
| It won't bother you to experiment and take a few risk | | | | 80/12 sharp or 90/14 embroidery needle works well if |
| with threads being used for quilting if you can have the | | | | you're using a cotton or rayon thread in your bobbin. |
| attitude that it doesn't matter if all of your quilts will not | | | | Rayon threads are often favorites to use by quilters |
| become heirlooms which must last through eternity. If | | | | because of the brilliant colors available. The finished |
| you feel a bit timid about trying other threads for your | | | | result is silky and decorative because the rayon |
| quilts, I hope the following information will help you | | | | catches the light and really show itself off. Generally, a |
| muster the courage to experiment and have fun with | | | | 90/14 needle with a cotton bobbin thread works well. |
| different choices of threads for machine quilting. | | | | Sulky and Maderia are greatbrands for rayon threads. |
| Threads are numbered according to size. The lightest | | | | The metallic threads break quite easily. They also |
| weight thread has the highest number. The number on | | | | shred. The YLI is easier to use, but I think you will also |
| a spool that is 50/3 is telling you it is three-ply 50 | | | | like the Sulky and Madeira metallics. Your best needle |
| weight thread. A 50/3 sewing thread is finer than a 40 | | | | size to use for the metallics will be a 90/14 embroidery |
| 3 quilting thread. In most cases, I prefer a heavier | | | | or 80/12 Metallica. The mylar threads are not as likely |
| thread because it will show more on my quilt top but | | | | to break as the metallics and you'll probably like the |
| that is just a personal preference. When sewing with | | | | wet and shiny look that the mylars give. The 50 wt |
| different threads, you'll need to try a variety of needles | | | | cotton threads seem to do better in the bobbin if you |
| to determine which one works best for your fabric | | | | use the metallics or mylar. Here again, to help avoid the |
| and the thread you've chosen. At the end of this | | | | breakage, put the spool in a baby food jar beside your |
| article, I'll give you a Needle Size Chart that will guide | | | | sewing machine instead of on your machine if you |
| you with the size of needle to use for different fabrics. | | | | experience a problem. If you sew with the metallics, be |
| Your choices of thread for machine quilting also | | | | mindful not to drop the cuttings onto the floor because |
| includes your bobbin thread. I have used cottons, | | | | they create havoc for vacuum cleaners. |
| rayons, Jean Stitch and acrylics with success. It goes | | | | YLI is the only brand that I know of that has the |
| without being said, your choice will depend on the look | | | | "Jeans Stitch" 30/3 wt thread. As you might guess by |
| you want on the back. For instance, if you use the | | | | the name, it gives a very heavy look. I would think |
| Jean Stitch, it will be more decorative than a cotton | | | | twice before quilting a bed quilt with this because it's so |
| because it 's much heavier. A beautiful way to use the | | | | much heavier than the fabric and will probably cause |
| Jean Stitch is to choose an "all over design" for your | | | | the fabric to shred. However, it creates a beautiful |
| quilting pattern, such as meandering, turn your quilt "top | | | | decorative stitch for wall hangings. The jeans/denim |
| side down" to quilt and let the bobbin thread show on | | | | needle is the one to use for the Jeans Stitch because |
| top. | | | | it has a larger eye than the embroidery needle. |
| The monofilament, mylar and metallic thread are a little | | | | For the needle chart check the resource box below. |