Threads of Many Colors and Fibers Too!
Which is the right one to use when and why do we offer what we offer? Recent Question: "Is the Aurifil thread 100% cotton --- you have a new thread that is 100% poly, and you recommend it highly, yet all of the quilting instructors are saying use 100% cotton --- have been using gutterman, which is 100% poly -- stopped using C&C -- what am I to do regarding thread? Your comments please."
Good question! We, too, have always heard and agreed that using 100% cotton thread is the best thing for cotton quilts. Now with quilts being used in more ways, we find quilters are willing to use other threads for a variety of reasons and so are we. Quilts are no longer just used for bedding so not every quilt made has to endure many washings and hard use. The polyester and rayon threads allow us to get new elements into the quilting, but they aren't for every situation. Decorative stitching can be added to make the quilt prettier, more interesting or fun or a piece of art. Thread painting and machine embroidery has become very popular among crafters and artists alike.
In general, we almost always use cotton for piecing, whether by hand or machine. If there are lots of tiny pieces, like there would be in Paula Nadelstern's Kaleidoscope blocks, then we love our 100% Cotton Fine Thread (120 weight) for machine piecing. It reduces the bulk in the seam allowance. For piecing quilts with larger pieces or quilts that will receive more wear, we love 100% Cotton Mettler - 50 weight 3-ply. It now comes in 54 variegated colors too, ideal for machine quilting and other effects.
The 100% Cotton Aurifil 50 weight 2-ply is good for peicing too, but it is a 2 ply so it isn't as strong. We still use it somewhat selectively depending on the wear the quilt will receive. We do love how clean it leaves our machine and the very fact that it is lighter weight makes it also reduce bulk. This lighter weight is also wonderful for machine and hand applique.
When we took a thread painting class locally, we noticed the Aurifil had the ability to absorb more light and was therefore far superior to any of the other cottons being used, but, of course, even it doesn't have the brilliance of the rayon and metallics.
The Invisifil is whole new generation. When Harriet Hargraves introduced Heirloom Machine quilting - 25 years ago, some quilters didn't take to it right away because of the monofilament thread. Now, with Invisfil, we will see a whole new generation of machine quilters. Also, for machine applique it takes very close inspection to find it at all. Since machine embroidery, by its nature produces bulk, using Invisifil in the bobbin will make the end result much lighter and softer. Its light weight and soft texture and color choice is so superior to what has been previously available, the results will be noticeable. It is dreamy and we won't have the problems sewing with it we have had with the onofilament either. We see it nearly replacing monofilament.
Although we hadn't planned to machine piece with the InvisiFil, co-worker, Carol Mitchell is. She is an Art Quilter and says when she irons her sewn piece, it is totally flat and loves it. She also said using it in the top and bottom of her machine was a bit tricky than she had to lower her tension from 4.5 to 2.5 that it does seem to stretch. Stretching is a problem with monofillament.
Anyone having experience with any of the threads we carry should let us know and we will post it here for all to read. We are lucky to have many choices as well as the internet for sharing information.
Also, we are in the process of building a Thread Category which will feature all of our threads in one place, but until then, these are the links we could get to work:
For 100% Cotton Aurifil Thread 50 weight 2-Ply
Click Here For 100% Cotton Mettler 50 weight 3-ply Silk Finish Variegated Thread
Click Here For 100% Cotton Mettler 50 weight 3-ply Silk Finish Solid Color Thread
Click Here For 100% Cotton Fine Thread 120 weight 2-Ply
Click Here YLI Silk Thread Assortment for fine Hand Applique
Click Here For Mettler Poly-Sheen Trilobal Multi Sheen & Metallic
Click Here For Colours by YLI
Click Here For 100% Cotton Star Thread
Click Here COTTON THREADS: When we first started quilting, we used ONLY 100% cotton thread and it is still what we use the most. Now, however, even with cotton, we are able to fine tune our selection depending on the project. So, when you visit our thread category in our Online Catalog, you will find there are many choices and they all there for a reason.
Mettler - 50 Weight-3 Ply - If you want one and only one thread, then we would choose Mettler 50 weight-3 ply. In addition to 12 general solid colors, we now carry it in variegated colors. It will serve you and your machine very well. However, we now use the solids whenever we are making a quilt that will receive lots of use and if not, we LOVE the Aurifil.
And more yet to come!!!
