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Machine and hand quilting questions

As I mentioned in another thread, I'm about to jump into machine quilting. Nothing fancy, just some straight lines on a lap sized quilt. My question - do I need to use 'machine quilting' thread specifically or can I just use regular sewing thread? The organization specifically says no monofiliment thread due to heavy washings/dryings in commerial machines.

As to my hand quilting question - on another project I'm considering using a flannel backing on another quilt. This is twin-sized though that is of no consequence. Does anyone have any hints/clues as to how painful the needling may be using flannel backing with traditional cotton top? I use W&N batting and typically don't have issues. Maybe I just don't know any better?? as others have mentioned how difficult W&N is to needle through. I would think the flannel might be easier as it seems to be a lower thread count than traditional quilting cotton. Just don't know if the different textures will create different issues.

TIA, Kim in NJ

Reply to
AuntK
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I'm sure regular #50 sewing cotton will be fine.

As for the flannel, no experience, but you are right about the lower thread count. So it shouldn't be a problem. If you have serious doubts though, there's no harm >As I mentioned in another thread, I'm about to jump into machine

Reply to
Roberta

I'd imagine the lower thread count would mean that you couldn't use a tiny quilting stitch -- it needs to be long enough to span at least 2 threads I think. That's all I'd be careful of. O -- and be sure you get that flannel plenty preshrunk.

Susan K

Reply to
kratersge

My friends and I use only W&N we hand quilt and machine quilt without any problems.

We use a lot of flannel in our charity quilts and they are all machine quilted, without problem.

Our Civil War reproduction fabric raffle quilt is completely hand pieced, and hand quilted. We use "regular" thread throughout as it would have been done in the time period. We are toying with the idea of machine piecing our next quilt, because the sewing machine was invented around 1840 and the war was in the 1860s. I'm one of the younger members at 66, so you see why we do so much hand quilting, most can't "man handle" a quilt through a home SM.

Bonnie, in Middletown, VA

Reply to
Bonnie Patterson

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