Applique thread

I'm working on the Amy Bradley Hoots quilt.

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I'm trying to decide what thread to use for sewing the appliqued owls to the backing of each square. This is raw edge applique, so the owls will be fused to the backing then button hole stitched by machine. Originally, I didn't give much thought to this issue. I use Gutermann thread for everyday sewing, and use the cotton version for quilting. However, I was reading that some people use embroidery thread for the machine applique.

Does the embroidery thread look different? Heavier, shinier, etc? If I do go with embroidery thread, what type of embroidery thread should I look for?

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Reply to
SarahU
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Sarah, that quilt is so precious I just can't get over it. Probably will have to add it to my 'to do' list. Now. Back to the question. I'm afraid the answer is going to be the standard one. Test! So much depends on the effect that pleases you best. You don't actually have to ruin a perfectly good owl; just a strip of owl fabric on a piece of background will do. Try a 40 wt cotton if you want the stitching to be outstanding. 50 wt matching thread (also cotton) would probably be my choice, and, of course, embroidery thread would be pretty. While you are thread shopping do pick up a spool of Aurifil. It doesn't shed / shred nearly as much as Gutermann. ( You didn't ask for a thread brand commercial but Aurifil is just so much cleaner for stitching.) Please come back and show us what you've done. Polly

"SarahU" I'm working on the Amy Bradley Hoots quilt.

Reply to
Polly Esther

I suggest that you make a small sample and try out the threads that interest you! I do a lot of whole cloth quilting with colored thread and a bit of applique, and find that each thread handles a bit differently and looks different when in place. Different colors of the same thread brand and weight work out differently, too, so I make samples! (In fact, I have a pretty fair collection of pillows in the living room and the guest rooms made from the samples.) The bit of extra time and effort you spend on samples is well worth it!

Reply to
Mary

That's adorable! . In message , SarahU writes

Reply to
Patti

I use Sulky 12 wt in black for buttonhole appliqué if I want the old fashioned look. If I want it to match the fabric and not show up I use just regular Coats & Clarks thread in the appropriate color(s).

Cindy

Reply to
Teleflora

I don't know, Polly, it may just be my machine, but Aurifil sheds something awful in my bobbin case. I clean it out (I blow it out with canned air - NOT, Polly. Just trying to wake you up this morning) every time I fill my bobbin.

I've said this a million times before, but C&C thread works just dandy in my machine.

That said, I have gone to almost exclusively using Aurifil 50 wt for machine piecing. My accuracy is so much better.

I clean my bobbin area a lot. It's worth it.

Cindy

Reply to
Teleflora

That woke me up! Don't even think about blowing fuzzies further down in the SM innards. And, next time I sing about my favorite thread, I'll try to remember to add: except Cindy. I agree that Coats & Clark dual duty in matching colors works great when you don't want your appliquéing stitches to show. Sometimes I use Invisifil, sometimes I still don't trust it. Polly

Reply to
Polly Esther

Reply to
Roberta

You'll find that your stitch width and length makes a big difference with each thread, too. I like using the Sulky 12 wt. (a heavy, thick thread) variegated cotton thread in a buttonhole stitch with a short length and short width- it looks almost like a braid trim has been applied to the edge of the appliqué. Be sure to use the appropriate needle, too, for whatever thread.

Rayon thread has a lovely sheen but it is fragile and breaks easily- and it may not go thru the fusible very well. You could use invisible thread- but it can be scratchy and there's the 'rumor' that any bits of thread left on the quilt can wrap around a baby's finger or toe- but I've also heard that's an 'urban legend'. Most quilters seem to avoid it for baby quilts just in case.

Superior Pixelles trilobal thread is gorgeous with some sheen. (I fell in love with the purple/olive green/cream variegated Pixelles called Eggplant!) It's a poly 30 wt. so it shows up well and is sturdy. And don't forget you can use ANY decorative stitch to secure the edge of the appliqué- not just a ___|___|___ buttonhole stitch. A chain of hearts or a feathery looking stitch or many others look great on raw edged appliqué.

Yep, you need to make a good sized sample with different threads, needles and stitch length and width variations. (And possibly some tension adjustments, too.) Be sure to label ALL the info on each sample so you can return to the one that you like the best. Don't ask..... ;-)

Most any thread will hold the appliqués in place. This darling quilt deserves something special. IMNSHO

Leslie & The Furbabies in MO.

Reply to
Leslie& The Furbabies in MO.

Oh, yeah, that's a Polly quilt for sure. And definitely no black 12 wt.

I did a little quilt a few years ago and didn't have the exact thread color to match my fabrics. They had just come out with the battery operated bobbin winder. I have every color of embroidery floss and so I separated the strands and wound the thread onto metal bobbins and used those as the top thread for the appliqué. I just used white for the bobbin.

Worked perfect.

On a side note, if you ever get the chance to take a workshop or listen to Amy Bradley give a guild program, don't miss it. She's funny and darling and really has a good program.

Cindy

Reply to
Teleflora

SarahU had written this in response to

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:So is here where I admit that I'm making the quilt for me, a 21 year oldadult rather than for a child? :D It was just so adorable I could not passit up. I'm all for embracing my inner child. So if I am understanding all this great info correctly, "everyday" thread is about 40-50wt ? Then as the numbers get smaller, the weight is heavier, so something like a 30wt would be heavier?

I guess I'll just have to swatch a bunch of threads and see how I like them. Asking for recommended brands (other than those already mentioned) might generate too many options, so I'll go with this: Are there any brands to avoid in embroidery thread?

Right now it sounds as if my best bet is to hit Fabric Depot or the LYS near me and just buy a spool of a 5-10 different threads. It won't be washed very frequently, but at the same time I would like a somewhat sturdy thread so I don't want to tear my hair out as I'm sewing. I've never used embroidery thread, but I'm a bit entranced by the shininess. It's pretty safe to say I'll be using some type of embroidery thread. Now I just need to go to Fabric Depot.

Thanks for all the great > "Embroidery thread" for machine work is often rayon,

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Reply to
SarahU

Off the top of my head, I'd recommend determining what color(s) you want and just buy a few different thread types. (My spools of Superior Pixelles cost $7+ per spool. While I am pleased with the thread at that price if you buy too many spools to play with this could get quite expensive for you.)

Perhaps the store will allow you to unroll a few inches of rayon thread to see for yourself how easily it breaks.... I've been sneaky and done that on the sly a time or two! If this quilt is not to be used- as in a table topper or wall quilt- then the rayon would be okay. Polyester might be too strong for 100% cotton fabrics if the quilt is to be used and washed- the theory is that it will shred the cotton fabric because it's too strong and shreds the fabric with movement and the washing action. Do avoid metallic threads unless you are well experienced with adjusting your machine's tensions and sew very slowly- it can be a real pain to work with, but you'd sure get your shiny. ;-)

Good old standard Coats and Clark thread would be sturdy and work very well for your purposes and it is generally trouble free and economical. If you are working with 100% cotton fabrics then I'd say use a good quality 100% cotton thread if you pass on the C&C brand- like Sulky or Superior or Robison Anton.

Many spools of thread will state on the ends of the spool what size and type of needle to use. There's almost as many types of needles as there are types of thread. And I apologize for assuming the quilt was for a child- inner children are great and your choice of quilt pattern is adorable! I hope you have a blast making it and using it!

Leslie & The Furbabies in MO.

Reply to
Leslie& The Furbabies in MO.

Be careful to check the Coats and Clark thread. The "Dual Duty" thread is now 100% polyester (poly wrapped poly core).

Also, I have used polyester thread with cotton when sewing clothing for years. It does not "cut" the cotton fabric. In fact many poly threads will "snap" easier than some cotton threads. Depends on what you want and what you are sewing and so many other factors.

Rayon thread is weaker, especially when wet. There are some gorgeous polyester embroidery threads available. They are a bit more colorfast than some rayons, and have a good sheen to them.

Love thread, and playing with it on fabric.

Pati, in Phx

Reply to
Pati, in Phx

Reply to
Roberta

Thanks for this Pati. I didn't know about the polyester shiny threads. I must have a look for some, as I love quilting with shiny threads - even a good mercerised cotton will have a gentle sheen. . In message , "Pati, in Phx" writes

Reply to
Patti

SarahU had written this in response to

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:Thanks for the great tips. I'm going to head over to my LFS and she whatkind of thread selection they have. If all else fails, I'll head over toFabric Depot. Got to love an acre worth of fabric. They'll be sure to havelots of choices.

So now I have to decide what color. There are several different ways I could go about this, but I think the best way would be to buy one color for all the applique. Otherwise I would need a blue, green, purple, and yellow. Or is the later a better way to go?

What do you guys usually do?

Leslie& The Furbabies > Off the top of my head, I'd recommend determining what color(s) you want > and

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Reply to
SarahU

One thought is to use a variegated thread with all- or most- of your colors in the thread's color changes. Using black is 'traditional'- assuming you are using a buttonhole stitch- but you could use a medium purple for all of them. (Do I need to say purple is my favorite color? VBG) If you are using a satin stitch *usually* you match the thread to the appliqué fabric color. Another thing that might work is a shade of the background fabric color, too.

Good luck!

Leslie & The Furbabies in MO.

Reply to
Leslie& The Furbabies in MO.

You could hunt for a blue, green, purple and yellow variegated? but, if I were doing it, I would buy the three/four colours. If you are satin stitching the appliqué, that does use quite a lot of thread, so you would probably have to get more than one (ordinary) spool anyway. Therefore, getting the three colours wouldn't be *much more than you would have to get. It's also a very good idea to start building up a thread stash as well as a fabric stash. I read in your other thread that your lovely owl quilt was your first quilt. . In message , SarahU writes

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Patti

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Roberta

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