Thread weight

Ok, there has been quite a discussion lately about thread weight in FMQing. Many of you have said you use 50 weight. Well, I just went shopping for new thread and I found 30 wt., 40 wt., but nothing marked 50 wt. is Egyptian cotton the right weight? And is the higher number thinner than the lower number ( like wire, the lower number gauge is the bigger wire)? Help me understand! The people at the store were also confused, and no spool was marked with 50 wt, even that identified as quilting cotton. Where do you purchase this 50 wt. stuff?

My machine seems content with regular sewing thread for FMQing, so I'm not desperate to find this, but would like to know what you all are talking about.

All i use is Superior Thread (as does my BF the longarmer).... The name of the thread is "So Fine"... comes in tons of colors, but mostly you end us using cream, grey, kakhi, black and othe basics.... they have a website... and the price is not all that bad for the amount and the fact that it ALWAYS works for me... This i know, from trying many other threads "i had",, and getting very frustrated... just my input... !!!:)

Jean, I use whatever works best for my project. Batik fabrics seem to like a lighter thread and when I do a dark, country quilt, I like a heavier thread. There is no right or wrong--do what works for you and also what your machine "likes". Mine seems to behave with any thread, but I know other's machines are a little particular about what thread to use.

Jean, Gutterman carries 50wt egyptian cotton and Connecting Threads does too. It does all depend on what works best on your machine.

I get my cotton thread at Connecting Threads and it is 50 wt.

Here's the link: http://www.connectingthreads.com/thr...__L600902.html

Superior Thread website has a lot of information about thread - and the higher the number the finer the thread.

Thanks for the great information. I ordered some basic colors from Connecting Threads for my longarm, got some others on sale at my LQS. Hope they all work OK.

I've been using the Connecting Threads thread for everything lately. I know my Pfaff really likes it and it didn't break once on the first time FMQ quilt I did. Now if I could just keep from running out of bobbin thread ...

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Originally Posted by Jean Sewing Machine

Thanks for the great information. I ordered some basic colors from Connecting Threads for my longarm, got some others on sale at my LQS. Hope they all work OK.

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I was having issues with thread in my machines and then I ordered from Connecting Threads and it seems to have solved that.

Dont confuse weight with TEX. Tex numbers go the opposite; the higher the number the thicker the thread.

I use only So Fine also in my machines....having too much trouble with other threads...doesn't seem to matter in the bobbin thread..only the top...so using up what I have in other threads in bobbin and so fine in top...hope this helps a little bit

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Originally Posted by Denis

Dont confuse weight with TEX. Tex numbers go the opposite; the higher the number the thicker the thread.

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How is that identified on the thread? Is it printed on the spools?

Jean, I've only seen it on cones of thread. There is a label on the inside of the cone near the bottom and it's printed on that along with the manfacturer's name, colour name and number, fiber content, etc... I mentioned this because I use primarily cones of thread with my sewing machine for piecing and what not.

I've used both 40 wt and 50wt Aurifil threads for quilting. The 40wt is a bit thicker and gives more stitch definition. The 50wt is perfect for piecing and quilting if you don't want the stitches to show as much. It is STRONG!! And my machine loves it because it's lint free. I order my thread from The Quilt Bear since they have free US shipping on every order, no minimum required.

I don't purchase thread at JoAnns anymore at all. Not a good deal on thread there, even with a coupon.

Everyone says they use "what their machine likes"...I was thinking it was more what the fabric likes. I mean I can see the thread having to go through the machine nicely and properly and all, but is it the fabric fighting the thread (as I thought) or is it the machine 's "ability" to make the thread go through it? And what constitutes a machine "liking" one thread over the other? Thickness, fiber, strength? I get alot of fluff from Connecting THreads 100% egyptian cotton in the bobbin cage area and I think that is part of my problem...I clean it regularly, but might have to clean it every other day or something after use.
And also, does that spray adhesive that we use instead of pinning for the quilting the layers...does that have any effect on how the thread/machine do their job? I have noticed that when I spray it, it is extremely difficult to get a pin to go through it. I spray and then just a few pins here and there for stability and sometimes, the pins won't go through where the spray is and I know I don't spray it heavily..I am "cheap" and use it sparingly! But if the pin doesn't go through, the needle might have some trouble too...?