I'm totally confused by thread choices....Help!
03-05-2012, 05:42 PM
#1
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: NE Texas
Posts: 128
I'm totally confused by thread choices....Help!
Can you share with me the kind of thread you use for piecing and quilting on a household machine? I would like to find an economical brand, but am very confused when it comes to weight, spool size, etc. All my local store carries is very small spools that are very expensive. Any insight would be appreciated. Thanks.
03-05-2012, 06:12 PM
#2
Super Member
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Knot Merrill, Southern Indiana
Posts: 5,781
Thread is a lot like shoes. Not everyone likes the same stuff. After experimenting a lot with thread I've come to the conclusion that I love Aurifil, Gutterman, Mettler, and Sulky (all for different things).
A lot will depend on what your machine likes as well.
You can try to experiment with some of the thriftier threads and if your machine likes them, then use them. My machine doesn't like them, nor did I.
A lot of people here on QB love Connecting Threads Essential line. I disliked it so much that I traded the whole lot.
Buy 1 spool of a few of the thriftier threads as a trial. Don't make the mistake I did - I bought 10 spools!!
A lot will depend on what your machine likes as well.
You can try to experiment with some of the thriftier threads and if your machine likes them, then use them. My machine doesn't like them, nor did I.
A lot of people here on QB love Connecting Threads Essential line. I disliked it so much that I traded the whole lot.
Buy 1 spool of a few of the thriftier threads as a trial. Don't make the mistake I did - I bought 10 spools!!
03-05-2012, 06:12 PM
#3
Super Member
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Mars
Posts: 2,549
I like Connecting Threads - their Essentials line is 50wt/3ply cotton, great for piecing or quilting by machine. Some people say it's too linty for them, but I've never had much trouble with it in that way - or any other way, for that matter. 
It's very economical and it comes in a bazillion colors. Wait until it goes on sale and buy it in sets - spend more than $50 and the shipping is free. Normally $2.49/1200 yd spool, $9.99/5000 yd cone
Their Essential Pro line is polyester, 70wt/3ply and has sewn well no matter what I'm using it for. I like it in the bobbin or in the needle.
I love the Superior Threads - King Tut and Bottom Line are my favorites from them. I like Bottom Line for hand applique as well as machine sewing and quilting. They're quite a lot more expensive, though and except for the Bottom Line in applique, I don't notice a whole lot of difference in how they perform or how nice they look in the quilts.
50 & 60 & 70 wt threads are great for piecing, because they don't take up as much space in the seam, but you can use any size you want. Same with quilting - I like the very fine threads for some things and the really heavy ones for others. Try a few different brands and see which ones you like.
It's very economical and it comes in a bazillion colors. Wait until it goes on sale and buy it in sets - spend more than $50 and the shipping is free. Normally $2.49/1200 yd spool, $9.99/5000 yd coneTheir Essential Pro line is polyester, 70wt/3ply and has sewn well no matter what I'm using it for. I like it in the bobbin or in the needle.
I love the Superior Threads - King Tut and Bottom Line are my favorites from them. I like Bottom Line for hand applique as well as machine sewing and quilting. They're quite a lot more expensive, though and except for the Bottom Line in applique, I don't notice a whole lot of difference in how they perform or how nice they look in the quilts.
50 & 60 & 70 wt threads are great for piecing, because they don't take up as much space in the seam, but you can use any size you want. Same with quilting - I like the very fine threads for some things and the really heavy ones for others.
Try a few different brands and see which ones you like.
03-05-2012, 06:16 PM
#5
Member
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Lima, Ohio
Posts: 63
Thread is a lot like shoes. Not everyone likes the same stuff. After experimenting a lot with thread I've come to the conclusion that I love Aurifil, Gutterman, Mettler, and Sulky (all for different things).
A lot will depend on what your machine likes as well.
You can try to experiment with some of the thriftier threads and if your machine likes them, then use them. My machine doesn't like them, nor did I.
A lot of people here on QB love Connecting Threads Essential line. I disliked it so much that I traded the whole lot.
Buy 1 spool of a few of the thriftier threads as a trial. Don't make the mistake I did - I bought 10 spools!!
A lot will depend on what your machine likes as well.
You can try to experiment with some of the thriftier threads and if your machine likes them, then use them. My machine doesn't like them, nor did I.
A lot of people here on QB love Connecting Threads Essential line. I disliked it so much that I traded the whole lot.
Buy 1 spool of a few of the thriftier threads as a trial. Don't make the mistake I did - I bought 10 spools!!
Agreed. I like Connecting Threads, Superior Threads, and Invisafil. You have to kiss a bunch of frogs until you find your prince
03-05-2012, 06:26 PM
#8
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Long Island, NY
Posts: 514
I use Coats and Clark for piecing, and their heavier weight thread for quilting. I have never had any issues with breakage, etc. I experiment with needles before a project if I'm doing something new.
03-05-2012, 06:31 PM
#9
Super Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Outer Space
Posts: 9,319
If you have a vintage machine you can use any thread. But, if you've spent big bucks on a computerized machine, skip Connecting Threads and other cheaper brands and stick with quality thread like Aurifil.
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