Choosing Quilting Thread for Machine
Quilting was once done entirely by hand. Quilting became a popular activity for two reasons: to create something beautiful and to have something to do while gathering with friends. Quilting bees were a good ways for a community’s women to pass long winter evenings. Hand sewing has been at least partly replaced by the technology of the sewing machine. Gathering with friends, of course, has been enhanced by the technologies of TV and cinema among others. While the pattern and fabric are the stars of the quilting world, the thread is also important. Thread that tangles or pulls can ruin the quilt or, at least, the experience of making one. Thread that isn’t strong enough will break loose and require making repairs to the quilt.
Types of Thread
Thread made for quilting has a finish applied to help it glide through the layers of fabric and batting. If you have ever tried to sew batting, you will understand why this is necessary. The thread package or online description should say whether the thread is appropriate for quilting. If you intend to use the quilting thread for machine quilting, make sure the description states that it is made for machine sewing. The quilting finish can clog some machine’s tension mechanism as it feeds through so quickly.
All quilting thread can be used for hand sewing. For sewing just on the fabric of the quilt, any good quality, cotton or polyester-wrapped cotton can be used. The medium weight size 50 is good for most jobs. This kind of thread makes good quilting thread for machine use since it has no coating that can wear off from heat or friction. A heavier weight can be used for piecing the panels together. The heavier the thread, the lower the size number is. Size 40 weight is good for piecing. If you have only used medium weight thread, you may have to get used to the difference in the look of the stitches.
When adding a decorative stitch after the piecing is completed, you can use cotton embroidery thread as quilting thread for machine use. You can find it on cones for machines. Embroidery thread comes in different weights. You can use a heavy weight for hand embellishment or a medium or light weight as quilting thread for machine sewing, depending on the pattern and your artistic taste. Choosing the right thread for your quilt means considering the needs of the pattern, the fabric and the embellishments you’re planning. Remember that quilting thread for machine use should conform to the needs of your machine.