The Best Bobbin Thread for Free Motion Quilting

April 20, 2021
Bobbin Holder

Today’s Topic: The Best Bobbin Thread for Free Motion Quilting

Welcome to Week 6  of our 2021 Quilt-a-Long,  Even Better Machine Quilting

This FREE multi-week tutorial is based on my books available in my Etsy shop:  LoriKennedyShop

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Good Morning, Quilters!

This week we are going to tackle tension-one of the most important topics in quilting.  We will learn how to  create a  stitch  where the top  thread and the bobbin thread meet in the middle of  the  batting layer.

Thread characteristics, especially weight and fiber,  impact quilting tension.

Today, we will discuss the best bobbin threads for quilting.

What Your Dealer  Doesn’t Tell You!

Sewing machine dealers often recommend always using the  same  thread in the top and the bobbin to create perfect tension.

That’s fine if you are  using  50 wt thread on the top because 50 wt thread is perfect in the bobbin.

But quilters don’t  want to  be limited to 50  wt thread on  top!

What if  we are using  heavy, 28 wt thread?  Should we use 28 wt thread in the bobbin?  NO!

Heavy weight thread is not a great choice  for the bobbin. Many bobbin systems don’t  really “like” heavy weight thread–more jamming and skipped stitches.

Furthermore, you will be able to wind fewer yards onto the bobbin when using heavy weight thread  than lighter weights. This means  more  bobbin changes–and  no  one  likes  that!

What’s in MY Bobbin-What’s in YOUR Bobbin?

I almost always use Aurifil  50 wt cotton in my bobbin.  (The orange  spool)

Why? Because my machine LOVES 50 wt cotton thread.  I know my machine likes it–therefore if I  have any tension problems–it’s not the  bobbin  thread.

I use  the same bobbin thread whether I  am stitching with 30 wt  Rayon or 80 wt cotton on top.  Use any top thread–and pair it with 50 wt  bobbin thread.

Don’t listen to your dealer.  Don’t match your top and bobbin threads–unless you want to.

Polyester or Cotton Bobbin Thread

Both cotton  and  polyester are good  choices for  bobbin thread and are a matter of personal preference.

Some sewing machines seem to prefer polyester which is slightly stronger.  If 50 wt cotton thread is breaking, try another brand or try polyester  thread.

Bobbin Thread Don’ts

It is best to avoid Rayon thread in the bobbin.  While  I love Rayon thread  for a top thread, it is a weaker  fiber and you will likely notice more fraying and breaking if you try to use it in  the bobbin.

Also, avoid heavy weight thread (heavier than 50  wt.)  Heavy weight thread doesn’t go as far (less yards fit on a spool).   In addition, I notice my machine jams more when I’ve tried  heavy thread in the bobbin.

Bobbin Thread Options

Lightweight  thread (60, 70, 80 even  100 wt) is an option unless you start to notice more  breaking.   The  extra yards mean more time to quilt between bobbin changes–but  only  if you don’t have to stop for broken threads.

Pre-wound bobbins are a  time saving option too and are available  from many  thread manufacturers.    ( find bobbins to fit your machine model.)

Bobbin Color

No matter how well calibrated  your machine is, there is no such thing as perfect tension when machine quilting.

To  camouflage  small tension  issues, use the same color thread in the top  and bobbin.

For  example, I often  use  28  wt cotton white thread on top(gray spool), and 50 wt cotton white thread (orange spool) in the  bobbin.

Getting Started with Tension Adjustments

This week, when  you are testing tension  adjustments,   use 50 wt thread in your bobbin.

Choose cotton or polyester and try to use one brand.

Match the bobbin and top thread colors.

Later, when you are  more confident setting tension, you can be more experimental…

Or do what I do, find a bobbin  thread you like and use it  all of the  time.

Tomorrow:
  • What balanced tension looks like.
  • And how to tweak our machines to create  a balanced stitch.

May  you always have a carefree bobbin!

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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7 comments

  • Amy S McBurnie

    To me, the bottom line up front is to use what works for you, your quilting style, your pocketbook, and, lastly, your machine. I always cringe when I see someone asking on FB “what thread should they use?” because the answer really is “it depends.” Unfortunately, there are too many quilters out there that are so convinced that they are correct and that their way is the only way. I have my preferences, ones that I’ve developed over 50+ years of sewing, but I never tell anyone that mine is the only path to follow (and I was happy to read that Lori didn’t either – giving advice is not giving direction). Buying the best quality thread you can afford, trying out different combinations of fibers, sizes, brands, and making samples are the best ways to determine what works for you and your style of quilting. And aren’t we lucky that there is a vast variety out there for us to choose from?

  • Debbie A Mahlberg

    I have a customer that wants beige on the top and burgundy on the bottom as she has a burgundy backing. What do you suggest I do? I am going to try So Fine in the bobbin in burgundy and 50 wt on top in beige. I am using my Gammil long arm machine. What else do you suggest?

  • Claudia Fv

    Great information! Thank you for sharing

  • If I’m understanding you correctly, if I want the bobbin thread and the top thread to be the same color but not necessary the same weight, I should buy a 50 wt of my desired color for the bobbin and then purchase that same desired color in the weight I want to use for quilting the top, i.e., 40 wt? So actually I would possibly be buying double the amount of thread if using two different weights of the same color thread for each quilt.

  • Nancy

    I like to use Isacord thread for quilting. Can I try using a cotton thread like Aurifil in my bobbin with isacord on top? Not sure how the two will work together.

  • Naomi Mankowitz

    Do you ever use invisible thread in the bobbin? I find it works better in the bobbin than as a top thread, and don’t have to worry about seeing the bobbin thread if the tension goes off. Or is this not a good thread to use this way?

  • Cindy P.

    Nice info…thanks!

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