World Wide Quilting Page

Question of the Week

Question for the week of December 6, 1999:

Our question this week comes from Arlene

Is it acceptable to hand quilt with silk thread?

grannys1654@aol.com :
the thread reps i have talked to say no it is not durable enough. silk also has arot quality all its own and variables such as sun, light, and time increase that process.

Sally Merton :
The answer I thinbk is no.
Sandra :
History has taught us that silk is not a resilent fiber. In antique quilts, silk is the material that deteriorates first. So personally, I don't trust it.
Oona :
Why not? If quilting with silk thread(s) will provide the desired look, use it!
Lisa Adam :
What specific trignometric calculations are involved in designing quilt patterns.
Irene :
I agree with those who say it's too strong, unless you are not looking at this as an heirloom or daily use quilt.
It's very disappointing to have the thread saw through the fabric over the years and it has happened. The thread is supposed to match the strength of the fabric, cotton with cotton, polyblend with polyblend. Harriet Hargrave's textile book gives wonderful explanations for this.
Clare Russell :
Arlene, the whole idea of quilting is self-expression. If the quilt you are doing is not going to get a lot of wear and tear, go for it.
Elaine :
I would not use this on a quilt intended to be around for many years because silk will eventally cut through the fabric.
Susan :
Depends....silk is stronger than cotton and could cut the cloth...just like polyester can cut....I would think twice before I used it as the primary thread.
Rhonda :
Why not!! I think it is stronger then some of the threads on the market and might give it a different look.
carol :
I haven't yet, but I have hand quilted with metallic thread. And I imagine that silk thread would be infinitely stronger than the polyester wrapped cotton that is on the market nowadays

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