lindaschipper

My Janome machine no longer likes Connecting Threads and Aurifil threads, so I need to go to another brand. Superior thread makes many different weights. I want one that works in the bobbin and as a top thread for quilting. While I'm far from being the greatest quilter I manage to get my in what I do. Prefer to use a cream or off white thread on all my projects, as I like seeing the quilting design. Gutterman thread worked on my last project, but buying numberous small spools to quilt a throw quilt can mean many trips to JoAnn's if I fail to get enough thread. Would prefer to get a couple good cones to use. What thread do you recommend?

sewingpup

I quilt mainly with Superior So Fine 50 weight thread. It has more of a mat finish, is very strong, and comes in many colors. I do have creams and greys I use a lot...but I have also gotten a lot of the "dusty" colors when I want it to blend in more. It actually blends in pretty well and the thread itself is not the star of the quilt which I like. It comes on a 3,280 yd cone as well as smaller spools. I use it both in the needle and bobbin and you can also piece with it. I usually order it right from Superior threads but try and get enough so I get free shipping. It is a bit expensive but when you figure how much the same amount of thread would be on spools, it isn't bad. A lot of my quilting friends like to use "Glide" which is also a poly thread but has a bit more of a shine to it, I have a few cones of that one but actually haven't tried it as I have several of the so fine and it suits me fine. If I am using a cone on my DSM, I have a thread stand I put behind my machine and then just thread it like normal, works for me.

Barb in Louisiana

My older Nolting can be picky about thread. Glide works all the time. I do use the leftover bobbins to sew my binding on with either of my Brother machines and have no problems at all. I don't piece with Glide because it is a polyester and I use the hottest setting on my iron when pressing my seams and I don't want the chance of melted thread.

I wonder why your Janome doesn't like threads it used to do well with. I do use both the ones you mentioned in all my machines and have never had any problems. I do get my husband to open up my machines about every 2 or 3 years and make sure everything is oiled and no threads are loose in the innards. It amazes me how tiny threads can get into an almost sealed machine and the havoc they can create.

Quiltwoman44

Really? my Janome loves Connecting Threads Essential cotton threads. It hates the more expensive ones. they would probably work if i constantly change my foot pressure, etc but i hate doing that.
have you cleaned your machine well? that might help. if not, i hope the other brand threads do the trick for you. Nothing like having a contrary sewing machine.

cashs_mom

My Juki can be a bit picky about thread. I don't like having to do a lot of messing with the tension, but I used Glide with no problem on my last project. I think it's gonna be my new go-to thread.

Rhonda K

I have changed over to Glide thread also. It works well for quilting in the hoop with my embroidery machine. I use it in the bobbins also. Lots of pretty colors and I did purchase the color chart that is available.

My machines just don't like Aurifil thread. It is linty and doesn't run through the machines as smoothly as the Glide threads.

Iceblossom

For the last year or so I've been doing a test with So Fine (50) as a bobbin weight and aurifil for the top thread on my fussy Bernina (aka Cranky Bernie). It's been doing very well with the So Fine and I'm happy with the results and ease of use. I've had to adjust a tension here or there but I typically piece with a 10 needle and a small stitch and like it very well for that. I also quilt with a 14 needle and a reasonable quilting stitch -- it likes that too.

I recently won a local auction for a ton of So Fine spools and will consider some trials with it as a top thread too, but not so sure on how the cones will work with my fussy machine.

The modern Bernina 820 "sewing computer" belonged to a friend who wanted to do much more fancy stuff with threads and this machine was just not working out for her. I had it and used it will with my more basic threads and such, but it still was fussy with thread and error codes and finally broke down completely. Even after getting it cleaned, serviced and the thread sensor replaced, it still would code on me randomly every 5-15 minutes of sewing time. Usually there wasn't anything actually wrong, I would tug down on the thread a bit and away we'd go until the next random 5-15 minutes.

Anyway, I was watching the inauguration and I had the thought that "I wish my Cranky Bernie could be made happy with a hat and a pair of mittens". And it came to me -- a hat! Also known as a thread tension disk, one of those saucer sort of things. I didn't have any in my case of accessories but I threaded the spool up through the bobbin (the bottom is solid, thread comes in from the middle) and out the top and it provides just the added amount of tension that I can now sew an entire bobbin with no error codes and the tension is better too!

edit/ps: Think by spool shape that is Connecting Threads and not Aurifil currently loaded on top.

Peckish

I was wondering this as well. I'd probably clean it up or take it in for a spa day. I don't tolerate my machines "not liking" threads, we pay enough for the machine, we should not be limited to what we can do simply because it's persnickety, especially if it's a recent development. That's a red flag for me.

I use Bottom Line, which is a poly thread, in my piecing all the time and it has never melted, even on the hottest setting. Nylon thread will melt, but not poly. You should do a test; sew a mess of thread on a scrap and then iron on the hottest setting. If you're nervous, sandwich the scrap between 2 pieces of parchment. I'll wager the Glide doesn't melt.

lindaschipper

Because this problem has been going on for over 6 months it has been in the repair shop twice in the last 4 months and has been cleaned and oiled properly. Not wanting to stick more money into quilting I ALMOST gave up and sold everything off as opposed to buying a new machine. Yesterday it loved Gutterman thread. But it's pouring down rain here today and I didn't want to go out to buy thread, so I grabbed a spool of Connecting Threads baby blue and loaded up the machine on the frame to try it again. Stitches are perfect!! But two rows from the bottom the thread broke...o.k. that's no biggie. Maybe my Janome just needed a 6 month vacation? At any rate...one Project Linus got quilted yesterday, one is almost finished today, and I have another ready to go tomorrow. Keep your fingers crossed for me please.

Iceblossom

Part of my tests, Barb, is that I was concerned about melting too. I press every step and use a very hot iron (often all the way up to linen). No problems at all.

The modern poly threads like Glide and So Fine were designed with quilters/cotton fabrics in mind. There are plenty of spools of things in my vintage threads that I would not dare iron or use on cotton fabrics!

I should admit I was also happy using Dual Duty when the standard belief was everything cotton. I can tell you that my quilts from the 70s had no issues from threads sawing through the fibers. The issues were where the fabric itself rotted away in the unquilted areas leaving the stitched/ditch quilted seams strong and firm. So for 20-30 years I mostly used Dual Duty top and bottom. It was only when I started using my friend's long arm that I started using different threads, so 10ish years ago.

The lady I bought the thread from did her own long-arming and her decision was that she was going to use the same thread top and bottom and that all these wonderful cones were surplus to her. It was a win/win for both of us! Because part of it boils down to Bernie gets what Bernie wants.