Geema

Hi everyone! :-) I have a challenge..aka problem...and I am wondering how other quilters solve it. Some of the table runners that I am making have a scrappy back. Since the fabrics..ie colors..are not all the same, how do I decide which color thread to use in the bobbin when quilting?

Thanks for any help or suggestions and have a great night.

Knot Sew

I think a lot of people use the invisible thread . I'm sure more people will respond with more ideas :D

patricej

pick a color you like and that coordinates well with the scraps. there are NO RULES.

;-)

bbwalkup

Nope, no rules.
How are you quilting it?? If you're doing some free motion you may look at a varigated thread, may make the back interesting.

I've used invisible thread for the top, but does it work equally well for the bobbin??

Geema

Thanks girls!!! :)

k_jupiter

Just be careful. Most invisible thread is polyester or nylon about 0.04 in diameter I think. You might need to reset your bobbin tension as that's a bit smaller and the thread is a bit slipperier than regular cotton.

tim in san jose

patricej

i'd never question anyone else's choice to use it but invisible thread to quilt doesn't make sense to me. if i go to all the trouble of quilting something i want it to show, show, show. if it's in the ditch on the front, i still want the back to show off.
;-)

vicki reno

I like the variegaed theads, myself. It lends a nice touch, sort of like another layer of color to the whole project. If you go to all that trouble,you want the qulting to show. Sometime,when stitching in the ditch, I have to turn it over to the other side just to make sure that I've stitchd everwhere I was suppose to. Sometimes with invisible thread, you can't tell, because its too hard to see it.

Debbie Murry

I agree with with Patrice. If I'm taking the time to quilt a project I want to show off my stiches. White cotton quilting thread is what I use.

Yvonne

I wasn't going to comment but I can't stand to keep quiet!

When taking a class on machine quilting I was told that if I used invisible thread to only quilt for short periods of time. Apparently the thread can wear some part of the sewing machine if you put the peddle to the metal and let it go for any length of time. Then you have a costly repair bill on top of everything.

On my spring tulip quilt I was really unhappy to discover I didn't have the *proper* color thread and I wanted to quilt it NOW! I laid a cream thread on the quilt top and was amazed to see the thread pick up the color of the fabric. That's what I used and I was very pleased with the results.

Try laying several threads on top of the quilt and see which one looks the way you would like the final product to look. (Of course there will still be an element of surprise when you finish!) :lol: