Get A Thread Of Truth - Yli Corp

Hand Quilting thread has a wax coating on the thread making it stick to everything thing metal in a sewing machine. It can't slip through the tension disks, it gets slowed down around metal guides, and sometimes it even sticks to itself as it is trying to come off the spool!

Both cotton and polyester are good choices for bobbin thread and are a matter of personal preference. Some sewing machines seem to prefer polyester which is slightly stronger. If 50 wt cotton thread is breaking, try another brand or try polyester thread.

It's actually very similar to sewing with normal polyester or nylon thread — the main difference is the thread's weight. Monofilament thread is typically much thinner than most sewing threads (so it's best to use a smaller needle, too!).

You can use different types together as well. I often quilt with 40 wt cotton thread on the top and 60 wt polyester in the bobbin. Yes, you can mix cotton and polyester. Polyester threads are now recommended for long wear in quilting.

For most quilting on a home machine, a 40-weight cotton thread is an excellent choice. Because the 40 weight cotton thread is heavier than the finer 50 weight cotton thread, quilting stitches will show up more easily on the quilt.

Thread marked as 'machine quilting thread' can be used in both the needle and the bobbin. Just remember to match the size of the needle to the thread—the thread should fill the eye from one third to less than one half way. (If your thread takes up much more space than that, it will create a lot of friction.

Polyester makes a strong durable thread suitable for all types of sewing. Polyester thread doesn't shrink or fade when washed. And polyester thread doesn't produce a lot of lint, which helps keep you machine clean. Most of the “all purpose” thread at fabric and craft stores is 100% polyester.