I am just a beginner machine quilter. I have read a couple of books about machine quilting and now I want to experiment with doing a few baby/lap blankets. But I am confused about what kind of thread to buy. The books I've read talk about having a different bobbin thread and top thread - why? I understand if you are using a decorative or metallic thread for the top that you would want to use a different thread for the bobbin. However, if you just want the same color on the top and bottom, can't you use the same thread for both? What are the benefits of using a different weight thread for the bobbin?
Also, one of the projects I want to attempt is quilting a baby blanket with a layer of flannel, batting, and then a layer of polyester minkie. Since the quilt will not be 100% cotton, should I still use cotton thread? Or go with a cotton/poly mix? Or a different type of thread for the top/bottom, since the top will be cotton (flannel) and the bottom with be polyester (minkie)?
In general, what are the best brands for machine quilting thread. The books I have suggest a ton of different types, but I have a hard time finding them in stores and knowing what the difference is between them. Is there a good place to buy thread online?
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
Wow... that's a lot of very good questions! I'll give you my opinion and I'm sure others will chime right in.... first remember there are no quilt police.... only what works best for you.
You can absolutely use the same thread top and bottom. In fact, you will have less tension issues if you use the same. The only thread I do avoid for baby quilts is monofilament. Yes, they make a nice range of polyester ones now, but the stories out there about babies fingers and toes getting caught in it and the thread not breaking just makes me think what on earth could make it worth it to put it in a baby quilt.... again... my opinion, no quilt police exist...... as for good thread... well.... you are going to get a host of opinions on that.
Columbia River Quilting(columbiariverquilting.com), Sew Thankful(sewthankful.com) are both great places to purchase from. You can also purchase straight from Superior Threads(superiorthreads.com).... and many like Aurifil, you can google that and find many places selling it. Check your Local Quilt Store and see what they offer too. Many are discovering silk and love it. Again, no quilt police, do you like a heavy thread look or a thin/ light thread look? That will help you determine what you like. My personal favorites are King Tut, Masterpiece, and Aurifil. I use Yli Silk on special/art quilts or if I'm having a hard time finding a good color match. But that's a personal choice thing. Some like polyester because they are stronger. Play, enjoy, define what works for you ;-)
The only time I use 100% cotton thread is when hand quilting. I use the cotton/poly mix for almost everything. I also use a lot of the monofilament thread on top and cotton/poly on the bottom when I am doing wall hanging panels. Just always try what ever combination on a scrap first. Some threads break easy some don't. You can use the same on top or bottom or what ever combination works for you.
On the flannel, batting and minkiee blanket I really don't think you even need batting. Those two fabrics by themselves are very very warm. I have not worked with minkiee so I can't say what thread would work best. Done lots with flannel and cotton or cotton/poly is fine.
I like Guiterman thread. Mainly because it is in every shop around where I live. But I also use Coats and get that at Walmart. It's cheaper but it depends on what project. I've used Coats for years on garment sewing and never had any issues. I've also used it in wallhangings that I've had for years and have been washed lots and no signs of aging. Although I will say it gives off more lint. Means you have to clean your machine more often. Usually if your quilting store carries a brand of thread they are good, but ask the girls at the store. Just stay away from the
3$1 thread that you f> I am just a beginner machine quilter. I have read a couple of books
The answer to all your questions: Suit yourself! Make a little test sandwich for every project before you start quilting it, using the same materials, so you can try out different threads and sort out any problems.
I've done many hours of machine quilting. But the thread and needle combinations my machine likes might not be the ones that your machine wants to use. I love YLI long-staple cotton for machine quilting. King Tut from Superior Threads is my new favorite variegated. I use a lot of monofilament on top (this is one that you would use with a different bobbin thread -i.e. normal cotton). Never had trouble with it. I never use poly or cotton/poly, it just seems wrong. YMMD. I don't buy the stuff even for garment sewing, because what use would I have for the leftovers? I'd say my main problem is getting the right size and type of needle worked out. That's what the test sandwich is for.
Don't be discouraged if your first attempt doesn't look like the pictures in the books. Do 30 hours of practice, then you can start to worry ;-) Roberta in D
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I use regular cotton thread for most of my machine quilting, with the same type of thread on top and bottom. I may use a different colors, but usually the same thread. I have used a lot of Coats and Clark Star brand thread, as well as their Dual Duty; the Star thread doesn't seem to lint as much as the Dual Duty. The Mettler silk-finish is nice, but more expensive than the Star thread. I love Aurifil and it doesn't lint much, but it is expensive. Recently I have been using Essential Thread from Connecting Threads . It is very reasonably priced and doesn't lint as much as the Star thread, though more than the Aurifil.
Julia > I am just a beginner machine quilter. I have read a couple of books
Suzie, I simply use regular sewing thread because I don't have a local source for fancy threads. I use the same thread on top and bottom. It works just fine and will last for years. (I know that goes against current quilt guru teachings, but there are no quilt police.)
There are only two reasons for using different threads at once. Most often it is because someone wants different colors of thread showing on the top and bottom of the quilt. Some people use a thinner thread in the bobbin so they don't have to replace the bobbin thread as often, but I have to wonder if that is going to last as long as using the same thread weight on both sides.
Most book writers suggest using their own favorite thread, TV shows suggest using the thread made by a show sponsor, and sewing machine makers suggest using a brand that is either made by a sister company or that works best in that brand of machines.
From my own sewing experience I have learned to never buy No Name or store brand thread. Other than that, I buy the brand that is available and works in my machine. Debra in VA See my quilts at
It really is personal preference. The only time I use different thread in top and bottom is when I want a very fine machine applique stitch. Then, I use silk thread on top (YLI) and a brand called "Bottom Line" in the bobbin, because you can get miles of it on there. I see a couple others mentioned the "King Tut" brand, and I'll have to second that. It's virtually lint free, all cotton, and their variegated colors are just extraordinary. Also, I have to go along with the others to steer clear of the no name, dollar bin stuff - it's just awful and it will cause you all kinds of problems. And remember to change your needle often.
There are as many different opinions on what thread to use as there are on any other quilting topic, Suzie! As others have suggested, I'd stay away from the bargain-bin threads; they just don't have as long a shelf life as the better qualities do, and they produce a lot of lint in your machine. More lint can make for more glitches. :S
My favorite quilting threads are Aurifil (people say it's expensive, but when you consider how many yards are on a spool, it's really not!) and YLI silk thread. Both are very fine -- the silk more so -- and give a wonderfully understated effect. King Tut makes some gorgeous colors, though it's a heavier thread -- but I still love it; those variegated shades are drool-producing!
I use a poly monofilament when nothing else will look right, but it's generally my last choice.
A couple of things I might offer from my (admittedly limited) experience...
1) Top and bottom thread the same is fine, unless you have a reason to use different. I usually do so for colour reasons if my top and backing differ alot.
2) If you're new to quilting and/or Minkee - may I recommend using a solid sheet of Minkee only - I'm guessing you meant that anyway, but wanted to make sure. I've done two Minkee projects, one just using a full width of it for backing, and in that case I found it a little bit slippery to handle, but OK when VERY well basted. I am, at present, STILL stumped by a baby quilt that is PIECED Minkee (just big squares) on top and a cotton back - I can't seem to do a damn thing with it and I'm at a total stand-still for all quilting, it's freaked me out so much (I started knitting socks, that's how bad this Minkee freaked me). I'd recommend with Minkee to keep it REALLY simple until you decide you love it so much it's worth the extra wrestling it might take you.
3) For a baby blanket - skip the batting with flannel and/or Minkee. A baby blankee that's meant to be used by a real baby as a real blankee should be light enough that a wee one can wrestle out from under it. I've known more than one new mommy who got rid of well- intended but poorly-designed quilts/blankets/comforters that were crib- sized but TOO HEAVY. One of my first quilts was for my nephew and I did flannel, top and bottom with batting.... well, now that he's 3 it's a great drag-around-the-yard, snuggle-in-the-car blankee, but he couldn't use it except for a play mat until he was over a year. For a friend's daughter, I made the pieced cotton top/minkee backing with NO batting - and it was great. Very light and supple which is what it needs to be.
4) Finally - get yourself some cheap muslin or a few yards of some ugly cotton that's on sale, and make "practice sandwiches". If you're working with Minkee, sacrifice a small piece, too. Cut the practice stuff into 12" x 12" or 12" x 18" pieces, and test drive your quilting ideas, both to practice and to warm up when getting ready for the "real" quilt. Try out different threads/tensions/stitches/battings.
When you're done with all these practice pieces, you can do some kind of quick binding (I just use my serger and whatever cone thread was in the bargain bin) and you have some little quilts that small pets just LOVE. They don't care that it was just practice. I give these to my cats, my friends' cats, local animal shelters (they love them), etc.
Good luck, have fun, let us know how the M> I am just a beginner machine quilter. I have read a couple of books
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