My Favorite Threads for Machine Quilting
Today’s Topic: My Favorite Threads for Machine Quilting
Welcome to Week Twelve of The Better Machine Quilt-a-long based on my book 25 Days to Better Machine Quilting.
Find all of the previous Lessons HERE.
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Good Morning, Quilters!
It’s true–I’m a thread snob! But I haven’t always been one. I clearly remembering going up to my local JoAnn Fabrics and trying to decipher all the codes above the thread stands. Most of the time I couldn’t even figure out the price code–but I knew with that 50% coupon, it couldn’t be too bad. I had no idea what all the different symbols meant so I would just pick a pretty color! One day, I brought home a spool of Sulky Rayon thread–why? Because it was shiny and the color was pretty. When I got home and stitched it–Magic! My quilting looked fabulous! That was the day I became a thread snob…
I sincerely hope that by the end of the 25 week quilt-a-long YOU will be a thread snob too! I hope YOU will value your time enough to use good quality thread!
Frequently Asked Questions
One of the most frequent questions I receive is about my favorite threads. I hesitate to answer, but today–for the first time in more than eight years of blogging, I am giving you want you want…the list.
But I do this with several notes and disclaimers…
We All Sew Differently
I have used and loved all the threads on this list while working on my quilts, with my batting, on my sewing machine. They work well for me, and therefore, they may work well for you. On the other hand, if you use different fabrics, batting or sewing machine–they may not work for you. I hope my favorite threads will give you a good place to start your search for YOUR favorites based on the way you work.
Free Samples
As a quilt author, I often receive free thread. I have only included thread that I love and use regularly. As you will see, I recommend thread from several companies.
Quilt Shows
I often purchase thread at quilt shows where many brands have their own booths. Quilt shows often host many thread vendors who bring their full line of threads, including all fibers, weights, and specialty thread. Local quilt stores can only offer limited selections–but they are the best resource for regular purchases of fine quality threads.
Collect New Thread Slowly
I recommend you search your current collection of threads first and make samples. It is important to try threads in all weight categories–it makes a surprising difference in the look of the quilted line. When you purchase new threads, try one spool at a time to make sure your machine likes it, before you invest in a lot of colors. Challenge yourself to purchase a new type of thread whenever you go fabric shopping (and yes, some thread spools cost as much as a yard of fabric!)
Create a Wish List
Keep a running list of threads you’d like to try. Ask your family for gifts of thread instead of chocolates, flowers, candles, wine,
My Favorite Threads (Ever-Changing)
Light Weight Threads
80 wt cotton by Aurifil
60 wt PolyLite polyester by Sulky
60 wt. Bottom Line polyester by Superior
100 wt MicroQuilter by Superior
Medium Weight Thread
50 wt cotton by Aurifil
50 wt Cotton + Steel cotton by Sulky
50 wt So Fine! polyester by Superior
Heavy Weight threads
28 wt cotton by Aurifil
30 wt cotton and Blendables (variegated) by Sulky
40 wt King Tut cotton by Superior
40 wt Magnifico polyester by Superior
40 wt Fabulux polyester by Wonderfil
40 wt rayon by Sulky
30 wt Mirage rayon by Wonderfil
35 wt Twister Tweed rayon by Robison-Anton
Start with These
Whenever I teach an in-person workshop (can 2021 come soon enough?), I bring a large collection of threads for everyone to try. At the end, I do an informal survey to see which threads students preferred. There are a few winners–all heavy weight–because that makes quilting look best! When ordering online, be sure to try spools–not cones! And don’t forget to order a few lightweight threads from the above list!
28 wt cotton Aurifil (pretty sheen, sews beautifully $13.50/825yard spool)
40 wt King Tut ELS cotton by Superior (expensive, but worth it $9/500yard spool)
30 wt Cotton Blendables by Sulky (beautiful cotton, nice price-$6.50/500 yard spool)
40 wt Magnifico polyester by Superior (great value $5/500yard spool)
30 wt Mirage rayon by Wonderfil (great value $9.70/875yard spool)
40 wt Fabulux polyester by Wonderfil (great value-$8.50/766 yard spool)
Where to Buy?
Unfortunately, there isn’t a single place to purchase all the thread. The best place to shop is YOUR local quilt shops!!! We want them to be with us forever! The next best place is your sister’s stash–(ask my sisters!) When that fails, try quilt shows and then online shops.
Shop Sulky.com (Affiliate link)
What About YOU?
Do YOU have a full range of thread weights in your collection?
What is YOUR favorite fiber?
What is YOUR go-to thread?
We’d LOVE to hear!
Creating Thread Snobs one blog post at a time,
Your Thread Nerd,
Lori
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 LKQ. For all other purposes, please contact me at Lori@LoriKennedyQuilts.com. Thank you!
Visit my Etsy shop: LoriKennedyShop for all of my books! They are ALL bestsellers!
Since taking a class with Lori at the JCCFS I could open my very own thread shop…thank you Lori for helping out with that issue I am pretty well covered.
I am a fan of King Tut for variegated thread and Masterpiece for solid colors. Both of them are Superior Threads products. I like to sew and quilt with the Masterpiece and I use both products in cones on my longarm. I have a LARGE assortment of variegated threads in spools for my small projects including YLI and Sulky brands that I use on my domestic machines.
My favorite thread for quilting is Omni by Superior. I have also used King Tut and on occasion So Fine 50 wt. I usually use 60 wt Bottom Line (Superior) in the bobbin. I like to piece with 50 wt Aurifil or 50 wt So Fine (Superior). All of these do a great job for me.
I have a Handiquilter Sweet 16. It does okay with Aurifil most of the time. But for quilting my HQ likes Glide by Filtec the best. It’s a rayon thread that comes in cones. It’s less expensive than other brands I use. It just seems to work better without any hassles. I also love Wonderfil threads but I use them mostly for piecing and applique.
I used to love Aurifil but on the last year, I have bought spools where the thread snapped with a small tug, where the thread was cut multiple times throughout the spool, sometimes losing a 1/4 of the thread because of this. I don’t know why. Maybe they’ve changed manufacturers. But I’m afraid to buy aurifil anymore.
I, too, have have had the very same problem! The thread breaks with the slightest tug….
Can you please post a quilt you have quilted with different threads and colors to inspire us? Thank you/
Hi Lori,
I always use cotton threads only, also variegated ones for quilts I will wash/regularly use. The reason is that it is softer than polyester thread. Polyester is quite “sharp” and is cutting the fabric after many washing’s / years. Polyester is great on wall hanging and decorative objects. I’m using often ISACORD and my old sewing machine and I love it.
Thank you for sharing your tremendous knowledge with us.
Before taking this class, I had only purchased thread on sale at Joann’s. The thread I used for most of the samples gave pretty good results, but when I chose a different color, it was disastrous. The machine was clean, I tried every needle Lori mentioned, but the thread kept breaking. So I did some reading about threads and purchased a twelve spool 50 wt. collection from Aurifil. Finally, problem solved!! Since then I’ve built up my color choices with three more 12-spool collections. I plan to buy some heavier weight thread and build up a small color palette, and then I’m going to throw out or donate all the cheap thread in my stash. I am now a thread snob too, and PROUD OF IT!
Good idea, Cathy, I would love to see the different threads in a sampler!
Lori, I think I am the only quilter that has had bad luck with Aurifil. My machine does not like it and it repeatedly breaks. Isn’t that interesting? When Craftsy still existed, I bought thread from them and I have never had any breakage. Now that they don’t sell anymore, I will need to find an alternative but it won’t be Aurifil!
My machine (Janome Skyline) doesn’t like Aurifil at all. The bobbin case would pack with lint. I found Genziana thread at the local quilt store and it works beautifully as does the Craftsy Pima thread. Just my luck that the quilt store now only sells Aurifil and Sulky variegated in cotton,( the Sulky is good), and there is no more Craftsy. Other stores only have Coats or Gutterman.
Craftsy is coming back!
I also like Glide thread for my Handiquilter Sweet 16. I like both the 40 & the 60 weight. I do use several Superior threads as well as Aurifil depending on the look I want and the purpose of the quilt.
I stopped buying rayon thread years ago after hearing a thread manufacturer speak. He said that his company decided not to produce rayon thread due to the environmental impact of manufacturing rayon. Thoughts?
I have heard Bob from Superior Threads say that. To be honest, I don’t have enough information to have an educated opinion.
Hmmm, Polyester thread would have an impact on the environment also as it is a true synthetic fiber more that rayon which is cellulose.
I don’t use rayon anymore because it’s not colorfast. I’ve had it run onto the fabric after getting it wet and also had it fade if exposed to sun or light after a long period of time. For that reason alone, I no longer use it. I’d rather use a high quality trilobal polyester for the high sheen look (Magnifico, Fantastico, Glide)
Well, sad to say we should all stop quilting if we truely want to consider the environment. It broke my heart to hear from an environmental documantary that we should stop buying so many cotton shirts because cotton is a really bad plant to grow as far as the environment is concerned. It requires to much water to grow and a lot of effort for processing…the details I do not remember. And since us quilters use 100% cotton…
I don’t have heavy weight threads… Yet. Depending upon the project I normally quilt with either Aurifil or my fave, 100 wt silk threads (I have quite a collection of these!) I normally quilt with a pale blue or gray thread because these colors add a bit of definition to the quilting without taking away from the quilt itself. Were I to make the quilting the focus of my quilts I’d definitely begin searching for a heavier weight thread
Years ago I took a class with Sue Nickels that focused on threads. We made a quilt sandwich and divided it into 9 sections. Then we used a different thread in each section, quilting using the same simple stenciled Lines. The threads were the same color so we could compare. We changed needle size as needed. I wrote the thread type and weight and needle size in each section. It is a fabulous sample to compare threads. One of the best classes I’ve ever taken.
That sounds like a great addition to Lori’s thread sampler!
That Sue Nickels sampler sounds like a great idea. I attended a local Aurifil seminar and we received a sample of all the different weights to try. I have yet to make my sampler! I have used Aurifil for piecing and quilting on my domestic. When renting a longarm, the shop used the Innovatech thread and it worked well. I have just started to branch out trying some 60 wt. thread for piecing and monofil for some applique.
For tiny, dense quilting, I like eitherYLI or Superior 100 wt. silk. For ditch quilting, I prefer WonderFil’s Invisifil 100 wt. thread. I usually use Superior Bottom Line in my bobbin. I generally buy it in only neutral colors, and it is fine enough to blend into quilt backing. When I make quilts for babies or children, I only use cotton thread, because it burns rather than melts. My thread collection is beginning to rival my fabric stash!
I was told to always use Cotton thread when quilting cotton fabric. Is this a good rule to follow or does it even matter?
Love King Tut for quilting, but also have used Aurifil 50wt, Isacord embroidery, Bottom Line (on top and in the bobbin), and MasterPiece (top and bobbin). With Bernina’s new red bobbin case I can use King Tut in the bobbin again. While it runs out quickly (in the bobbin) I do like having the same weight in both places.
I loved this lesson. Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge. Threads are just another part of quilting that we all need to learn more about and ‘try’ to understand..says someone who likes numbers but hates math! I am really enjoying the lessons and yes, it may take me 25 years instead of weeks but I will keep trying. Thanks so very much for all that you share and do for all of us ‘out here’!! <3
I use Threadart thread in the top and bobbin. (Threadart.com). It’s inexpensive polyester, has a nice sheen and doesn’t break the way nylon thread does. Sometimes the spool catches when I’m machine quilting making a nest. I get around that by winding thread off the spool onto a bobbin for the top. Sounds like a pain but the thread is so inexpensive it’s well worth the trouble. It comes in 60 + colors.
Lori, when you use rayon thread, do you also put it on the bobbin? I recently was told by a quilter I respect never to use it on the bobbin–that it is too slippery and my quilting won’t last. What is your take on this?
I agree. I never use Rayon thread in the bobbin.