thread options - cotton or poly blend??

[Sue Shoff]

I'm fairly new to quilting and would like input on thread options. Have used 100% cotton so far, but have heard for quilts that get used lots a poly blend might be a better option. I can tell this is personal choice or preference, but would like to hear from those that have used both and pros and cons.
I did purchase today a few Floriani Embroidery spools- poly blend thread - that can be used with quilting pieces - thus my next project.
Thanks in advance for any input given! sue

[Claire Hallman]

I would love to know if you can use embroidery 40 wt thread for general sewing, also. I just got a huge windfall of beautiful poly embroidery thread.

[Sue Shoff]

I was needing a brighter thread to stand out when using a fancier stitch. - I was told was used. But I"M NOT the expert by any means!

[buckeyequilter]

I use whatever I want as long as both my machine and I agree. I've just started using cotton and love it but I still use the poly/cotton blend too.

[GrammaBabs]

No, don't.... i used it once and it's just not strong enough,, at least that's my experience....B

I would love to know if you can use embroidery 40 wt thread for general sewing, also. I just got a huge windfall of beautiful poly embroidery thread.

[GrammaBabs]

check this link... and the many others that superior thread has to offer... it's made all the difference in the world with my FMQ on my frame and midarm....very good information here...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3290kvm7HDs

[Denis]

Sue, do you mean simply for piecing or doing fancy quliting over the quilt?

For piecing, I use either 100% cotton, polyester, cotton wrapped poly, or anything I have but I do make sure it is a good quality brand thread. Avoid the temptation to pick up the discounted bargain spools at the dollar store.

It was thougth of at one time when 100% cotton fabrics became popular, that you should use cotton thread as the poly thread is too strong and will eventually start wearing out the cotton weave in the fabric after many years of use. This, I believe was only a theory and has yet to be proven as our cotton quilts just aren't old enough to see any of this usage.

Personally I use cotton thread but do believe that when kids start tugging on quilts, the cotton threadused for piecing will give way long before the fabric thread start breaking.

[Sue Shoff]

Denis - mainly I was referring to piecing the quilt. But would also like suggestions for which thread works best on different fabrics. I do think I would generally prefer cotton thread for cotton quilt piecing. But recently worked on a soft flannel - receiving blanket - YES, FIRST one - another newbie project! That fabric had lots of give and wondered, if using the cotton thread was still the best option. I recently purchased some poly blend - embroidery thread - this was to use for the fancy stitching on top piece.
Not trying to be picky - just would like to know the preferred thread - if there is one! lol.....
thanks all so far - great input and references! sue.

[Alana]

I use cotton for sewing mine together mainly because "I" like the way it stitches up. I love to use a tri-lobel poly cotton blend and especially rayon for quilting the piece. It seems to react much nicer and my machine co-operates so much better.
I think like most things in quilting..it's what you find works best for you. The threads today are much better made than the threads are grandmothers used to buy. Just my opinion of course.

[coffeebreak]

When I had my SInger 2010 and had constant problems with it jamming, and i was ony sewing clothes...the repair man told me to use only Dual Duty Cotton covered polyester thread as regular or cheap thread causes so much fluff to collect in the bobbin cage. I bought that and used only that for 25 years and never a problem! But I just got a Singer 9960 for quilting I just started back up with, and it kept jamming and all and I looked and there the bobbin cage was..filled with thread fluff from the cotton/poly thread! I was shocked as that didn't happen on the 2010 machine. SO in just recently starting back at quilting and reading from this forum...I bought some 100% cotton thread from Connecting Threads.com and I just got it had started working with it yesterday until the rain/snow storm knocked out power and I haven't been able to get back to it, But I hope that is will work well. I am going on the mention that different machines like different threads! I hope this 9960 likes this thread!