cotton thread
10-02-2009, 05:57 AM
#1
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I read on a thread website that "Cotton threads will ...shrink in the wash,
so treat them as you would cotton fabrics." With cotton fabrics, I
preshrink them, but I don't see any way to preshrink cotton thread. If I
use it in a quilt for which all the fabrics have been preshrunk, will it
shrink and distort the quilt when it is washed?
so treat them as you would cotton fabrics." With cotton fabrics, I
preshrink them, but I don't see any way to preshrink cotton thread. If I
use it in a quilt for which all the fabrics have been preshrunk, will it
shrink and distort the quilt when it is washed?
10-02-2009, 06:11 AM
#2
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I have had that happen in one quilt of the hundreds that I have made. It turned out to be my favorite quilt once that happened, because it gave the quilt a great old fashion look. I must emphasize that it happened once, when I had no clue what I was doing, and I used cheap thread. Now that I use better quality threads that never happens.
Maria
Maria
10-02-2009, 06:32 AM
#3
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Location: Lebanon, Missouri
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Cotton thread can shrink. It depends on the quality of the thread. If you have a thread made with LONG STAPLE cotton, it should not shrink. If the thread is lower quality then shrinkage is inevitable
10-02-2009, 08:55 AM
#7
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Originally Posted by k3n
YLI is good quality long staple thread - I've used it a lot, as well as Aurifil and never had any trouble with either! :D
10-02-2009, 09:01 AM
#9
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Originally Posted by carol45
Does mercerized mean that it won't shrink? I couldn't find any evidence that it means that.
10-02-2009, 09:04 AM
#10
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No probs Sharon - I've used miles of the stuff for EPP and the quilt (my daughter's!) is still in one piece after umpteen washes! I also use it to machine piece and as a bobbin thread when quilting. :D
Re poly/cotton, I think this is really down to personal preference. I know a lot of quilters love to use some of the speciality threads which are poly. Personally, if I'm using cotton fabric (and I nearly always do!) I prefer to use cotton thread. I believe there will be a 'tension' between the different materials otherwise and the stitching may develop stress points. Plus, I just 'like' working with natural materials wherever possible, although I occasionally use poly wadding for wall hangings, I only use cotton for quilts. JMHO! :D
Re poly/cotton, I think this is really down to personal preference. I know a lot of quilters love to use some of the speciality threads which are poly. Personally, if I'm using cotton fabric (and I nearly always do!) I prefer to use cotton thread. I believe there will be a 'tension' between the different materials otherwise and the stitching may develop stress points. Plus, I just 'like' working with natural materials wherever possible, although I occasionally use poly wadding for wall hangings, I only use cotton for quilts. JMHO! :D
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