thread count

I was hoping someone had bought backing online and thus I'd be able to piggy back and trust the quality - but so far, no luck.

So, can someone explain thread count to me, I really have no clue, I've seen 320 count and 200 count.

Cheers Anne

Reply to
Anne Rogers
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Not sure what your questions is.

The thread count is the number of fibers per inch in fabric. Generally, in fabric (like for bed sheets) -- the higher the thread count -- the better the product. The higher the thread count -- the finer the feel (aka "hand"). Bed sheets usually start at around 180 thread count.

For quilting, however, (especially if you are truly HAND quilting), if you go to high of a thread count -- getting that needle through the fabric will make you crazy! (it will be VERY difficult to hand quilt)

Now if you are doing photo transfers -- especially of people/faces, the higher the thread count the better resolution you will get on your images... less "fuzzy" of a look. But again -- quilting through it will be more difficult.

One of the reasons batiks are frequently more difficult to hand quilt is because they are done on a higher thread count fabric.

Does that help? If not, please repost a more specific question.

Thanks...

Reply to
Kate G.

I think she is wondering what sort of thread count average quilting cotton usually is. I am not sure but I think I read it is around 200? Debra in VA See my quilts at

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Reply to
Debra

It's the number of threads per square inch of fabric, with one big ol' exception.

Short answer is you add the threads per inch in warp and weft, and come up with a number. Eg: 70 threads warp + 70 threads weft = 140 count sheeting.

Here's the however: you can count the number of plies of of the yarn so 70 threads warp x 2 plies = 140 warp count + 60 single-ply weft yarns =

200 count.

Generally, the higher the thread count, the smoother the fabric. But to get very high thread counts, the yarns have to be quite thin, and after a while, there's diminishing returns -- very high thread counts tend to be more fragile fabrics than medium thread counts.

There's also the matter of how closely the yarns are woven, and the pattern of the weave. You can crowd up a number of yarns in a sateen (satin) weave, and get a high thread count that way, compared to weaving those same yarns in a tabby (plain) weave. But because the yarns in satin weaves float over several other yarns, satin is not as strong a weave as a plain weave. How tightly woven a fabric is also helps determine how likely it is to pucker when sewn... very tight weaves tend to pucker fairly easily, just because you're trying to jam in yet more thread when there's just barely enough room for the base yarns. \

Reply to
Kay Lancaster

How very interesting Kay. Thank you for this info. . In message , Kay Lancaster writes

Reply to
Patti

I think my question was, having found some backing fabric at 360 count and some at 200 count, how much does that tell me about the quality and whether it would be good enough for something that will get heavy use and good enough to use for a small section to the piecing.

Cheers Anne

Reply to
Anne Rogers

Thread count doesn't really tell you anything about the quality. Sheet makers have trumpeted thread count as a mark of quality, but it isn't a definitive guide -- I've had some 400 count sheets that didn't feel as nice or last as long as some 200 count sheets. Similarly for quilting fabric (which is usually in the 70-80 tpi range) -- thread count has been no indication of quality.

Before you buy any of the higher count stuff for backing, test out how you like quilting on it. I refuse to use it when customers bring it because the quilting results are so variable. I have a feeling that well washed high thread count stuff may be easier, but I don't generally feel like messing with it. :)

Reply to
Kathy Applebaum

Don't forget weight as well. A 200 hundred count fabric at 2 oz will be much more delicate than the same count at 4 oz. If you find a shop with good service that tells you both things cherish them, for you can figure out a lot of what a fabric is supposed to be with both numbers.

NightMist

Reply to
NightMist

Anne, I feel your pain. Some years ago, I ordered some 108" fabric from a very nice online shop, seems like it was Keepsake. The fabric was so coarse and shabby that I aged it a while and then sent it on to Jill. It seems that you are going to have to order whatever is the least amount possible (maybe ¼ or half yard) and inspect it. That will cost you a few dollars and take maybe a week out of your schedule but would be well worth it in the long run. Polly

Reply to
Polly Esther

Thank you, Kay. I hope I can remember all of that. It certainly does answer a lot that was puzzling my little head. Polly

Reply to
Polly Esther

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