Printable View
I'm a little overwhelmed by thread choices. Can someone tell me which thread I should buy? I have a Janome 4612TM if that makes a difference in recommendations. I have Joann's, Hobby Lobby, and Michaels near me as well as a very small local quilt shop...I have no idea what brands of thread she sells in her shop though.
And do I use the same brand/type of thread for both piecing and quilting?
My favorite brand hands-down is Aurifil. Other brands fill up my bobbin area with lint so quickly but not this. My machine and I both love it. I also use Guttermann's because it's on sale so often at Joann's and it comes in so many beautiful colors, but I have to clean out my bobbin case after every used bobbin and I collect a lot of lint, which is bad, bad, bad for your machine. I'd also ask at your LQS to see what they sell there - they are usually a great source of information.
All I use is Connecting Threads thread. I've heard a lot of other quilters say that they love it too. Here is a link:
http://www.connectingthreads.com/thr...Thread--600902
If you don't want to buy online, then I would suggest Gutermann 60 weight thread. Here's a link to Joanns...they should have it in store also.
http://www.joann.com/gutermann-natur...d/xprd1130586/
For regular piecing and sewing, I always use the 60 weight thread. For quilting, you can use the same thread, but if you want your quilting to show up more defined use a larger thread...like a 30 weight thread. (they get thicker as the numbers go down...a 12 weight thread is quite thick, and a 60 weight thread is thinner.)
I stick with 100% cotton thread, but I've heard other quilters say they like polyester. So really, it's up to you to experiment and see what your machine and you like.
Gayle
I am a die hard Coats & Clark Dual Duty XP user. I have a Janome also. The dual duty XP is a poly covered poly. Some quilters feel the Coats & Clark thread is too linty. I have only found that to be true with the cotton threads though. I buy it at Joanns or Hancock Fabrics.
Thanks for all the suggestions!
I'm not an expert on thread...I simply use Gutterman for everything I've ever made and never had any trouble with it. Their color selection is vast and I usually buy it on sale.
I have tried Gutterman, Coats Dual Duty, and the Connecting Threads brand thread and have found that the Gutterman and Coats brand worked best in my machine. I wonder if it has anything to do with the automatic tension feature in my machine, but really those just work best for me. Though I love the connecting threads colors, their prices and just how it feels however I think I like the final look of the Gutterman and Coats brand produce. I have a Singer Confidence btw and no experience with Janome yet either.
I would recommend that you buy a few different brands and types and see what your machine likes. I use the same thread for piecing and for quilting - right now a 50 wt 3ply cotton from Connecting Threads. It is a bit linty but I still like it. For piecing I stock up on neutrals and then I have assorted colors for quilting.
My favorite variegated thread is Star thread from Coats and Clark.
When I bought my quilting machine, I got a smoking deal of free polyester thread in assorted colors. Plan to use it up when the color fits.
Regardless of what I buy, I always get it on sale. Guterman, Madeira, Superior.....I'd say start with a basic assortment and work from there. Thread can be a siren call just like fabric and soon you'll drown in spools. lol
Agree -- I was told when I first was learning to quilt (gee only in November!), to use 100% cotton -- well I bought 3 neutral colors and tried it. My Pfaff just about had a heart attack!! Nope, that machine LOVES poly thread. My newest machine Viking quilter, hates the all cotton too, it is loving the coats and clark Poly covered cotton -- YOUR machine will let you know :-)
Good luck
;-Debbie
If I get all these threads to try, is it a big deal if I use various brands to piece my quilt top together or should I use the same one throughout?
I still consider myself a new sewer even though I've made some stuff. I have went back and forth to using Gutterman thread and Coats and Clark. I am not sure what weight it is, but I noticed that using Coats and Clark it feels stronger? I don't know if that's just me or not. I liked the feeling of that.
Hey Gayle, just curious what you mean about the "if you want your quilting to show up more defined", do you mean like to show that you quilted the quilt or what do you mean exactly? Sorry not sure I understand that part and would love to know more! :)Quote:
Originally Posted by Gayle8675309
Thanks for this post! My machine does accumulate a lot of lint, and the choice of thread really makes a difference.