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Selecting Thread For Your Quilts

By Bradie Sparrow

And The Winner Is....

1. Cotton - Of course my number one choice! For any pieced patchwork job, machine or hand quilting, or binding, cotton should be the top choice. Since cotton fabric is most often the choice for discriminating quilters, it can only be paired with cotton thread. It is a fact that fabric and thread will deteriorate over time.

Should you choose to use cotton fabric and polyester thread, you will find that poly thread is stronger and will actually pull right through the cotton when it begins to break down.

Of course, we all hope this won't happen for many many years, but when it has become a long loved keepsake family heirloom, cotton on cotton will actually be a better choice.

Cotton thread is available in numerous weights, colors, and sizes. Something to remember in regards to thread weight is the SMALLER the number, the THICKER the thread.

For example 30 weight cotton thread will be thick, multi strand and also suitable for embroidery. 60 weight thread is often used for the bobbin when machine quilting. It becomes nearly invisible due to the light weight but this is something you can base on your own preference.

My personal preferences for thread are:

Piecing - I use Gutermann 50 weight thread on a 3000 yard cone. It is very affordable this way, and is available is neutral colors which are perfect for piecing. For light fabrics I'll use white or cream. Medium fabrics, I'll choose grey, and for dark fabrics I like to use black.

The reason for this is that when seams are folded open, you will always see your thread showing just the smallest bit. It won't be so noticeable if the thread is close to matching the fabric.

But imagine black fabric with white thread peeking through? Pretty noticeable right?

Machine Quilting - If I am using cotton for quilting, I like to use a weight that is noticeable. If I'm going to do all that gorgeous quilting, I want it to be seen! For this reason I will use a 30 or 40 weight cotton thread. Now what about color?

Generally I like to choose a color that's already in my quilt, but doesn't disappear. It will depend on the look you are trying to achieve with your quilt. Many quilters like there stitches to blend, so they will choose the identical thread that matches their fabric.

This is a preference that you will develop over time and with experience.

More at www.quiltcetera.com

Finally a resource for beginning quilters to learn everything they need to know to get started with quilting. http://www.quiltcetera.com

Article Source: Bradie_Sparrow
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