Let’s talk about everything I know about thread. Notice I didn’t say everything there is to know about thread.I am not a thread expert. But I have been sewing clothes and quilting for decades.I will be the first to admit that there is a lot that I don’t know about thread. I can not say which type of thread is perfect for which project. Some shiny metallic threads are too fussy to work with for my liking. I might couch them from time to time.A special needle helps if sewing them by machine.
What I Know
Thread colors and fabric colors are like fashion.Styles, shades and hues change often.Greens may always seem available. Yet the shades change. If you want a forest green It may not always be available. This I learned yhe hard way. My preschool daughter wanted a forest green dress when that color was out of style. Currently, tealish or bluish greens are currently popular.
All Brands are Good.
All brands make good quality threads. After 50 years of sewing I have not found thread brands that are not good quality. Individual threads may have different uses. Some may be easier to work with on your particular sewing machine than others.When I bought my Husquarva Lily over 20 years, Guttenberg thread was recommended for use with my machine. I used that thread with mixed success. I kept using Guttenberg because of the recommendation. Yet, while doing donation quilts, I was given some other brands to use. It was amazing to see how much easier this other brand was to use. The stitches looked better also. I learned that some machines work better with some threads. Of course, paying a company for a recommendation is not unheard of. Get to know your machine and what it likes for the type of sewing that you do.
Free Motion Quilting
For free motion quilting I am very fussy about the thread I use. I find Aurifil brand improves the quality of my work when I am free motion quilting. It can be used for piecing or general sewing. At times it can seem pricey so I try and save it for those particular projects. I will say that there is a lot of thread on the spool because the thread is very thin. So it isn’t as expensive as it seems. Once, I pieced and quilted a king size bed with only one spool of thread.
Old Thread
Don’t be afraid to use old spools of thread. The quality is amazing. The colors unique. If it breaks easily in your machine, save it for hand basting. I acquire old thread whenever possible to maintain a wide range of thread colors. Test the thread to see if it is good. Pull on the thread. Does the thread break easily when you pull on it? Then it is no good. I have bought new spools of thread that failed this test. Build up a resource of thread colors just like a fabric stash.
I avoid polyester threads but sometimes it is not possible. Depending on your project polester may be fine. If you are making an heirloom project, definitely use 100% cotton thread. Yet I have come to the conclusion that most of my projects will last 20-30 years. Polyester thread is fine for those projects. Quilting is supposed to be fun. Not stressing over little details of the quilting police.
Chartreuse Thread?
At a flea market I bought a chartreuse spool of thread. I surprised even my self. Greenish yellow? What was I thinking? It quickly became my favorite thread to quilt with. Chartreuse on black fabric is stunning! Move out of your confort zone.Try unusual or different colors than what you are unaccustomed to using. One never knows how a color will look once sewn or placed on another fabric. It changes. Our eyes also see colors diffferently. Let the fun begin. Try a different and unexpected color of thread for your next quilting project.
All I Know About Thread
As you can see I am not an expert on thread.Yet I do have a few suggestions to make. Don’t be afraid to use old spools of thread. Most of them are perfectly fine. Unless the threads break. Polyester is fine to use for some projects. For family heirlooms I would stick to 100% cotton fabric and thread. Practice helps. Get to know your machine and what works best for the type of sewing that you do. Some unique threads like metallic ones need a special needle. Relax and have fun.
https://annbaldwinmayartquilts.com/2022/07/art-solutions-came-to-me-in-a-dream/
