My Favorite Threads for Machine Quilting

September 4, 2020
Thread Rack, Lori Kennedy Quilts

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.

Sign up for emails of the class HERE.

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.

Find Aurifil HERE

Shop SuperiorThreads.com

Shop Sulky.com (Affiliate link)

Shop Wonderfil.com

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!

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