All About Quilting Thread
The boom in quilting as a craft and hobby has caused manufacturers to make a huge variety of thread. Yet you will find there is such a big selection of thread that selecting the correct one for your quilting project can leave you in puzzlement.
You’ll find an array of choices, whether shopping at a brick and mortar store on the web. This article will give some insight into the confusing selection of thread used for quilting.
Thread for quilting falls into two categories- that is sewing thread and thread for embellishing. Let’s look at sewing thread first, as it is the most widely used, especially for quilting. Sewing thread can be bought in several different weights and fiber types. Weights of thread can range from around 28 to 60.
Thread for quilting must be strong and to stand the test of time, so generally you will want to select a thread in the proximity of a 40 weight. Thread in the 28 weight range is usually used for embellishment, while 50 would be used for piecing.
You can easily find the weight you are considering by reading the label. You may see a number like 40/2. The first number is the thread weight and the second the no. of plies. In this case, the thread is a 40 weight of two plies.
Quilting thread is most often made from cotton, polyester, rayon, metallic or plastic. The metallic and plastic thread can only be used for embellishments and specialty stitches. Cotton thread is most common, and often it is mercerized. This is a process in that the fiber is made to swell and straighten out many times, which stops any tendency towards fuzziness, and gives a very high luster thread. Cotton thread is usually available in 30 to 60 weight.
Rayon thread is also very lustrous, and polyester thread finish is colorfast and non-shrinkable. Metallic thread choices is a bit more difficult to sew with and not for beginners, though it makes stunningly beautiful finished quilting items. Some brands that quilters might want to look for include the old favorite Coats and Clark, Guterman, which is a popular alternative known for its strength and ease of use (try it for hand quilting), Madeira rayon thread, which is strong enough to use to embroider on denim or leather, and Mettler, which comes in several different fibers.
It is often not a good idea to attempt to use up old sewing thread, which tends to degenerate on the spool. Unreel a bit and pull on it. If the thread snaps, it will also snap when you put it in your sewing machine.
With the wide variety of quilting thread, and its relatively low cost, there’s no reason not to just buy new thread when you need a different color. You’ll save a fortune in frustration alone.
Some manufacturers also produce special threads for embellishing, and you can find these at your local quilting store. If you like to quilt by hand, you can use embroidery floss, available in a multitude of color and fiber. Learning about the different kinds of thread can enhance your love of the craft of quilting.