Good Morning, Quilters! Today, we have a Nancy Drew style mystery, one we can all relate to—The Case of the Missing Thread Label!
A few weeks ago, we discussed thread weight and how it determines the look of our machine quilting. Read Understanding of Thread Weight.
Then, we used thread weight to choose the correct needle size. Read How to Choose the Right Sewing Machine Needle.
That’s all well and good, but what do we do when the label is missing and we don’t know the thread weight???
Let’s get out our Nancy Drew magnifying glasses and investigate.
(no…not really–it’s easier than that!)
START WITH THE FACTS…
Start with a spool of thread that you do have the label. Look for a middle weight, 50 wt thread.
HINT-If you have Aurifil Thread, the color of the spool is the code to thread weight. Orange is 50 wt and gray is 28wt.
THREAD WEIGHT IS RELATIVE
Look at the known thread and compare it to the thread that is missing the label. Does the thread look heavier or finer or the same?
If it looks heavier, assume it is 40, 30 or 28 wt
If it looks lighter, assume it is 60, 80, or 100 wt.
INSPECTION IS BETTER THAN THREAD LABELS
Every manufacturer measures thread differently, so thread labels are an indicator of thread weight, but inspecting the thread is the best way to judge thread weight!
Every time you pick up a spool of thread, inspect the fibers.
Soon, you will be able to determine thread weight just by inspection and you will be able to predict how it will look when stitched.
And of course I ALWAYS recommend stitching samples…(Later this week a few of my thread samples.)
I ALSO RECOMMEND AMERICAN QUILTER MAGAZINE
If you LOVE quilting and you LOVE free motion…May I recommend American Quilter Magazine?! Every issue is chock-full of patterns, product reviews, helpful articles and inspiration! The best way to read American Quilter Magazine?
Peruse the cover, then flip the magazine onto the back…
Read the magazine backwards!
Why? Because My Line, the step-by-step machine quilting tutorial, is the last column in the magazine.
I know. I know. It makes no sense to me either!
I guess they save the best for last?
For those of you who subscribe, you may have noticed that the graphic artist has a sense of humor.…
He moonlights as my personal stylist!
LOLOLOL
LAST DAY FOR FREE SHIPPING
Today is the last day for FREE US Shipping ($5 off international orders) on all books from my Etsy shop.) Each order includes an autographed copy and a little SURPRISE!)
Use the promo code: SPRING to get the best deal today!)
Signed,
YOUR Sewing Sleuth,
Lori Drew
PS…All tutorials, images and information are the property of Lori Kennedy Quilts and are intended for personal use only. Feel free to re-blog, pin or share with attribution to Lori Kennedy Quilts. For all other purposes, please contact me at Lori@LoriKennedyQuilts.com. Thanks!
