The choices of thread for machine quilting can be overwhelming, especially for the beginner quilter. We often embrace the mistaken impression that 100 percent cotton or cotton-covered polyester sewing thread is the only thread to be used for our quilting masterpieces. Thread made with synthetic fibers, over time, may cut into cotton fabric, especially where blocks are joined. For this reason, cotton or cotton-covered polyester is often the choice of threads by quilters. However, there are OTHER choices of thread for machine quilting.

So many of our quilts are sewn for the experience of learning a new pattern, trying out our own designs or just for the fun of it. It’s usually our intention that these quilts will be used for our comfort or the comfort of our friends, children, grandchildren or our beloved pets. Our purpose is generally for our quilt to bring happiness to whoever the lucky person is that receives it. I don’t know about you, but I usually stipulate to the receiver to “use their new quilt and enjoy it”. Doesn’t it make you happy to walk into a home where one of your quilts live and see it on the couch, or on the floor in front of the TV instead of being hid away in a hope chest?

It won’t bother you to experiment and take a few risk with threads being used for quilting if you can have the attitude that it doesn’t matter if all of your quilts will not become heirlooms which must last through eternity. If you feel a bit timid about trying other threads for your quilts, I hope the following information will help you muster the courage to experiment and have fun with different choices of threads for machine quilting.

Threads are numbered according to size. The lightest weight thread has the highest number. The number on a spool that is 50/3 is telling you it is three-ply 50 weight thread. A 50/3 sewing thread is finer than a 40/3 quilting thread. In most cases, I prefer a heavier thread because it will show more on my quilt top but that is just a personal preference. When sewing with different threads, you’ll need to try a variety of needles to determine which one works best for your fabric and the thread you’ve chosen. At the end of this article, I’ll give you a Needle Size Chart that will guide you with the size of needle to use for different fabrics.

Your choices of thread for machine quilting also includes your bobbin thread. I have used cottons, rayons, Jean Stitch and acrylics with success. It goes without being said, your choice will depend on the look you want on the back. For instance, if you use the Jean Stitch, it will be more decorative than a cotton because it ’s much heavier. A beautiful way to use the Jean Stitch is to choose an “all over design” for your quilting pattern, such as meandering, turn your quilt “top side down” to quilt and let the bobbin thread show on top.

The monofilament, mylar and metallic thread are a little trickier to work with in the bobbin. Often you will see instructions to adjust that little screw on your bobbin case. BEWARE. These are preset at the factory and you run the risk of having trouble when you try to set them back to the original setting. A better idea is to purchase a second bobbin case and only play with the settings on one of them. I dabbed a spot of red nail polish on the one I play with so I wouldn’t confuse the two. When using the monofilament thread, I experienced trouble with it falling off the spool even though I did all the usual “fixes”. The answer for me was to set the spool in a small baby food jar instead of putting it on my spool holder. Monofilaments are nylon or polyester, available in clear or smoke color and seem to sew better with a 90/14 needle. YLI and Sulky are good brands. Monofilaments will give you an antique or hand-quilted look. If you sew on a dark fabric, the smoke color is best to use because the clear one will look shiny and be more visible.

A great 100% cotton thread to use is Mettler 50/3 wt and YLI 40/3 wt. These brands seem to have less breakage than others which as you know, is key to machine quilting. The Mettler thread is slightly stiffer than the YLI but the YLI has a more decorative look. A 80/12 sharp or 90/14 embroidery needle works well if you’re using a cotton or rayon thread in your bobbin.

Rayon threads are often favorites to use by quilters because of the brilliant colors available. The finished result is silky and decorative because the rayon catches the light and really show itself off. Generally, a 90/14 needle with a cotton bobbin thread works well. Sulky and Maderia are great
brands for rayon threads.

The metallic threads break quite easily. They also shred. The YLI is easier to use, but I think you will also like the Sulky and Madeira metallics. Your best needle size to use for the metallics will be a 90/14 embroidery or 80/12 Metallica. The mylar threads are not as likely to break as the metallics and you’ll probably like the wet and shiny look that the mylars give. The 50 wt cotton threads seem to do better in the bobbin if you use the metallics or mylar. Here again, to help avoid the breakage, put the spool in a baby food jar beside your sewing machine instead of on your machine if you experience a problem. If you sew with the metallics, be mindful not to drop the cuttings onto the floor because they create havoc for vacuum cleaners.

YLI is the only brand that I know of that has the “Jeans Stitch” 30/3 wt thread. As you might guess by the name, it gives a very heavy look. I would think twice before quilting a bed quilt with this because it’s so much heavier than the fabric and will probably cause the fabric to shred. However, it creates a beautiful decorative stitch for wall hangings. The jeans/denim needle is the one to use for the Jeans Stitch because it has a larger eye than the embroidery needle.

For the needle chart check the resource box below.

To get your Free Needle Size Chart and the rest of this article go to http://www.myquiltingcircle.com/threads-needles/. While you are there join our community (it’s Free). You can chat live with other quilters, join in forums, post pictures and video, view and post classifieds and articles, even create your own blog at My Quilting Circle . Pat Strong is an avid quilter and the owner of http://www.MyQuiltingCircle.com