World Wide Quilting Page
Question of the Week
Question for the week of November 2, 1998:
Our question this week comes from Safia from Toronto
I am new to MACHINE QUILTING and would like to know which thread is best
for the top - nylon monofilament or cotton/cotton-wrapped polyester?
sylvia :
My sewing machine is so finicky that I have to use what it demands. If you machine is more accomodating, you should be able to make yuour choice after making some samples.
rquilt :
Try the large "tube" thread available from Star . It comes in 1200 YARD rolls and is very economical and durable. A "Sew and Sew" adaptor will soon be available in most stores from ARDCO templates.
Laura Cox :
For learning machine quilting, practice
good quality monofilament in the needle and
good quality cotton poly in the bobbin.
Try Mettler all-cotton machine embroidery
for beautiful results. I've used sulky rayon threads
in wearable quilted art (lower tension and use
lingerie thread in bobbin).
Erin :
I've tried the nylon and do not like it.
I was not happy with the results. A good quality cotton/polyester has always worked great for me.
donna cormier :
If you are using the Pfaff macchine which sews a quilting stitch, then you need the nylon monofilament in the top. Otherwise, use the cotton thread.
Shari/WA :
I used monofilament in table runners with great results but I prefer a good quality cotton thread for a quilt. Don't use monofilament if your making potholders for example or anything something warm may sit on as it will melt.
Adrian :
I use regular sewing thread. I'd like to
know what sulky thread is and where to use it.
Katy :
Any type of thread will work fine. However, if you are new to machine quilting, I heartily recommend starting with the nylon monofilament. Your first projects will be rife with mistakes, and they will not show as much with the invisible thread.
Jan Sands :
Try each thread you like on a small project or test quilt block! Decide what feels good, and wash a few times to see how each holds up to wear.I used inexpensive nylon monofilament on a baby quilt nearly six years ago. I was told that it would not hold up, and that it shouldn't go through the dryer or it would melt/break/etc. Well, years of heavy use, and being washed and dried in home as well as commercial machines and the verdict is in: all the thread is still there! It hasn't broken or melted! I sure hope that the more expensive thread that I've used lately holds up as well!
Mary Ann :
I've used monofilament, cotton and sulky threads with good results. However I would causion using monofilament on a baby thread. If a piece of thread would come off and be chewed on it would not even be seen. This could cause a problem. I would rather be safe than sorry.
Marietta Richard :
I have been warned against the monofilament on the basis that it turns yellow with age, becomes brittle and may even break. I ended up going back to cotton. Would love more info regarding the life of this monofilament thread. Does anyone have older projects out there???
Anna :
The nylon monofilament is oke for the top, if you
want to make the quilting invisible.
Otherwise use plain cotton. It is the
best for top and bottom too.
Pat :
I prefer using variegated cotton/cotton wrapped polyester. Nylon monofilament disappears.
sue :
Definitely nylon monofilament. You can also use all cotton thread but I would not use polyester threads as they are too strong and will eventually wear on the fabric and the fabric will tear. You can also use decorative threads.
OCEAN_WAVES@webtv.net :
I find the monofilament gives a more hand quilted look, as you don't see the stitches. It works wonderfully with my Bernina/walking foot.
Jean :
It depends on whether you want to see the quilting or want it to be invisible. Monofiliment for invisible, regular cotton/cotton-wrapped for visible
World Wide Quilting Page * Question of the Week