Invisible Thread....what do you know about it?

Has anyone used this thread for the top quilt stitching? I'd like some info about it. Seems it'd be the perfect solution to uneven stitch in the ditch technique....no matter how hard I try...some can always been seen! I found it on one site (didn't see it here) and is it nylon and says "as an anchor thread for quilting, or decorative edges and flatlocking with a serger. It is also perfect for "invisible " applique stitching.."

First...what is "anchor" thread for quilt? Top thread?
Second...nylon? I am hating nylon at the moment...okay, polyester not nylon, but they both stretch...is this type of nylon thread stretchy?
Third...life expentancy of the thread?
Fourth ....Seems I'd use this on the top and the fabric matching color on the back...is that right? But then I have two different types of thread...nylon on top and 100% cotton on bottom. I have learned the hard way not to mix cotton and poly fabric...is it the same with thread?

So, please share anything you know about Invisible Thread!

When I first started quilting, I used the invisible nylon thread...the main thing is that it will melt...I used it both the bobbin and top...I used it in a functional quilt and it was reported to me that with use, the nylon "pops" and leaves ends that poke you...or unravel...so personally, I would rather have crooked stitching than use it again...also, it was a bear to get the tension correct...

I still have the spool and bobbin in my thread box...why, I have no idea! :D

I can't help you with the thread because I'm not knowledgeable about that but my stitching in the ditch left something to be desired too. The gal in my quilt store showed me the foot she uses and it made a big difference in my work. It is a foot that looks like it has an "ice skate" blade on the bottom of it. You line the blade up in the ditch and watch the foot not the seam where your quilting. It took a while to get used to doing it that way but made a difference.

I was also thinking about using this thread but I guess I won't - at least not in a quilt. Might try it in a wall hanging or something.

I would use it on wall hangings or items that are not going to be washed a lot (maybe a bag?)...

I love the ice skating foot! ha ha That is a cute name for it! It does help get that stitching right in the ditch!

I used it on my first quilt and it worked fine for me. I was never poked or anything, and it still looks fine. I won't use it on every project but I would probably use it again. My aunt is huge into quilting and she uses it all the time with no problems and has for years. I guess I would try a practice run with it and see if you like it? Good luck!

Invisible thread has its pros and cons. I would use only POLYESTER invisible thread, not nylon for the reasons already mentioned. Nylon tends to be more brittle, yellows and will melt when pressed with high heat. Poly is more durable and flexible and can withstand the heat of pressing. If you are having trouble staying in the "ditch" try using an Edge Joining Foot which is what Cathy F described above. Here is a pic:

Attachment 17766

Just keep the middle blade in the ditch as you stitch and the needle will follow along right behind that line.

I would use invisible thread for small wall hangings if you do not want to have ANY visible quilt thread on the top. The problem is that when invisible thread does show on the top it tends to have a shiny surface and reflects light, so while the thread is technically invisible it can still reflect glints of light all over your quilt. I actually used invisible polyester thread for the freemotion quilting on the top of my BumbleBee quilt because I did not want the background quilting to compete with all the applique and decorative stitching. If I had to do it over again I think I would use a finer weight neutral thread instead.

Invisible thread usually comes in clear or smoke colored thread. Use the smoke for dark background fabrics and the clear for lighter fabrics. It is very hard to handle and wind on the bobbin but it does have some uses. As you get better at doing stitch in the ditch you may find it is easier and looks just as good to use a finer weight neutral color thread like Bottomline 60WT thread on the top. This thread is great in both the bobbin and top needle and comes in both neutral and many colors to coordinate with your fabrics so it blends in very well even if you get out of the ditch from time to time.

I have nothing really good to say about invisible thread...hopefully they have made improvements to it over the past hew years. Just a few thoughts....Buy the best quality invisible thread you can find I believe Sulky is supposed to have a good one. PLEASE DON'T USE IT ON ANY ARTICLE THAT COULD BE USED BY A BABY OR TODDLER. If the stitching came lose and a little finger or toe became wound up in it, the injury could be serious.

I would also take crooked stitches with cotton thread over nylon/poly invisible thread any day. :) Barb

I bought some "invisibles" when they went on sale, but have been too chicken to use it.
I had a comforter that had the invisible stuff as a kid. I think the cotton threads on the bottom eventually wore out and then there was a huge tangle of fishing-line type stuff all over. Even when I cut of the tangled bit, it kept on coming! I guess I'll give it a go, eventually, maybe.

Thanks for the information SewBee....I might give it a try but it will be on a wall hanging or something similar. I need to see if I have the edge joining foot, if not I need to order it.

Now that you mention that, toggpine, I've seen that too but I think it was on a comforter.

I started using a monofiliment (invisible) thread for quilting a project and I love it! I also used it when I took a machine applique class that Karen Kay Buckley gave for doing applique that looks hand stitched.

I used Aurifil invisible thread. It doesn't melt when you iron over it or when heat is applied - SEE THE HEAT TEST. It is important that if your machine lets you have the spool horizontal (laying on its side) that you do this to prevent it from stretching. It needs to feed off the spool cleanly while you stitch.

I used the invisible thread in my bobbin too. It worked just fine. Karen Buckley recommended only filling your bobbin halfway to keep your machine happy and it works perfectly.

I used a walking foot and it worked just fine for straight line quilting. I haven't tried free motion with it yet but it did fine for applique and straight line quilting.

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Originally Posted by Cathy F

I can't help you with the thread because I'm not knowledgeable about that but my stitching in the ditch left something to be desired too. The gal in my quilt store showed me the foot she uses and it made a big difference in my work. It is a foot that looks like it has an "ice skate" blade on the bottom of it. You line the blade up in the ditch and watch the foot not the seam where your quilting. It took a while to get used to doing it that way but made a difference.

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I have that foot and used it today...it does work but will take alot of practice to use it. I found i have to adjust the needle position to make it work, not a prob but it is very touchy on the raised seam...I notice that many times (and this is what caused the stitching to up and be seen) that little ice skate thing...EXACTLY on the seam but the slightest little bit of thickness from the seams underneath will make that little thing pop over to the other side just enough to make the stitching seen. However....I also noticed that when I was done and checking to make sure I STID everywhere..MANY times I looked and thought I'd missed it, but upon close inspection...there were the stitches literally in the seam and totally unnoticable...so I might just stick with that. I seems like it is easier to watch where that little skate thing goes than to watch the needle.

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Originally Posted by Sewbee

Invisible thread has its pros and cons. I would use only POLYESTER invisible thread, not nylon for the reasons already mentioned. Nylon tends to be more brittle, yellows and will melt when pressed with high heat. Poly is more durable and flexible and can withstand the heat of pressing. If you are having trouble staying in the "ditch" try using an Edge Joining Foot which is what Cathy F described above. Here is a pic:

Attachment 17766


Just keep the middle blade in the ditch as you stitch and the needle will follow along right behind that line.

stead.

Invisible thread usually comes in clear or smoke colored thread. Use the smoke for dark background fabrics and the clear for lighter fabrics. It is very hard to handle and wind on the bobbin but it does have some uses. As you get better at doing stitch in the ditch you may find it is easier and looks just as good to use a finer weight neutral color thread like Bottomline 60WT thread on the top. This thread is great in both the bobbin and top needle and comes in both neutral and many colors to coordinate with your fabrics so it blends in very well even if you get out of the ditch from time to time.

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I have that foot and used it today...and with all the negative possibilities...I think I'll just skip the invisible thread and stick with this foot. I have many places that I STID with this foot, that literally I had to pull the seam apart to see the stitching so it does work well....just needs practice!

I am going to try aurifil thread...I like giving second chances to products that I had tried in the past! I know there have been many times that I wish I could use invisible thread...it would be wonderful to have so many choices!

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Originally Posted by alwaysinmyroom

I am going to try aurifil thread...I like giving second chances to products that I had tried in the past! I know there have been many times that I wish I could use invisible thread...it would be wonderful to have so many choices!

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I'm putting some binding on a quilt that I used invisible thread with and I'll post more photos when it is completely finished but here is an inside area so you can see the stitching:

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7189/6...1e6674f2_z.jpg

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Originally Posted by KatiesQuiltingCorner

I'm putting some binding on a quilt that I used invisible thread with and I'll post more photos when it is completely finished but here is an inside area so you can see the stitching:

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7189/6...1e6674f2_z.jpg

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Wow Katie..that is amazing! And brings the question...with all them colors..which color do you use to top stitch? Invisible would be perfect. I just did a quilt and had red/white/pink/green colors...pink back. So I used pink for the bobbin....but starting changing threads to match colors, but with most of them together...which do I use? Red, white or pink thread? Didn't matter what color I used, it conflicted with the opposing color! It got so out of hand, that I just used a cream color so it wasn't as "stand out" as white and pink in the bobbin. Worked okay. But for this many colors, I can see where invisible thread would be good.

Invisible thread definitely has its uses. I used it exclusively on the top of my quilts for many years. Now I am stretching out in FMQ and use the invisible thread only for stitch in the ditch. I've never had a problem with it melting.

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Originally Posted by coffeebreak

Wow Katie..that is amazing! And brings the question...with all them colors..which color do you use to top stitch? Invisible would be perfect. I just did a quilt and had red/white/pink/green colors...pink back. So I used pink for the bobbin....but starting changing threads to match colors, but with most of them together...which do I use? Red, white or pink thread? Didn't matter what color I used, it conflicted with the opposing color! It got so out of hand, that I just used a cream color so it wasn't as "stand out" as white and pink in the bobbin. Worked okay. But for this many colors, I can see where invisible thread would be good.

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That's the main reason why I decided to try invisible since I had no idea what thread to use for all the different sections (there are way more colors than the one pictured - you'll see the finished product this weekend when I get the binding done) and I didn't like the idea of a billion thread changes. It came out looking wonderful and didn't detract from the overall look of the piece which is what I wanted. I just wanted to add texture in the colored areas.

I used the clear invisible thread. 90% of the time if you use invisible you'll use clear. Smoke invisible thread really only needs to be used on dark browns or blacks.

I have tried using invisible thread on some of my wall-hangings, but, I was not happy with the way it fed and just didn't seem to work right. I tried it just for the top thread and I tried it as both top and bobbin and was not happy with either. Maybe once I get a new machine that works better so will the invisible thread.

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Originally Posted by CrazyMtnLady

I have tried using invisible thread on some of my wall-hangings, but, I was not happy with the way it fed and just didn't seem to work right. I tried it just for the top thread and I tried it as both top and bobbin and was not happy with either. Maybe once I get a new machine that works better so will the invisible thread.

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It might also be the thread you were using. All brands are NOT created equal. My first experience with invisible thread was a terrible one and much like your experience. Then I tried the Aurifil and it worked beautifully and I had not a single issue. I've also heard YLI is another good brand to use.

wow katie! That is a wonderful way to use the invisible thread! How gorgeous is your stitching! I am making a rainbow zig zag...definitely would be worth trying the aurifil!

Ok I posted my quilt where I used lots of invisible thread for the quilting! Go take a look.

http://forum.missouriquiltco.com/sho...ic-heavy-post)