Choosing Thread
@Ginnie Lynn
@Chatterbox Quilts
@WonderFil Specialty Threads
Step-by-Step Instructions:
Thread is the glue that holds your entire quilt together, but not all threads are created equal. Choosing the right fiber, weight, and color makes a huge difference in how flat your seams lay and how your final quilting stitches look.
Things to Consider:
- Thread Weight (thickness)
- Fiber content (Cotton vs. Polyester)
- Piecing vs. Machine Quilting
- Color blending vs. Highlighting
Tips for Success:
- Always buy high-quality thread. Cheap, bargain-bin threads create excessive lint, causing machine jams and tension issues.
- When in doubt on color for piecing, choose a medium gray or beige—they blend seamlessly into both light and dark fabrics.
1. Understand Thread Weight
- Thread weight works backward: the higher the number, the thinner the thread. A 50wt thread is very fine and thin, while a 12wt thread is thick like embroidery floss. 40wt and 50wt are the industry standards for quilting.
2. Pick a Fiber
- 100% Cotton: Traditional, soft, and shrinks at the same rate as cotton fabric. Ideal for heirloom quilting.
Polyester: Incredibly strong, lint-free, and colorfast. Great for modern quilts, but traditionally avoided on antique quilts because the strong synthetic fiber can cut through delicate old cotton over time.
3. Choose Your Piecing Thread
- For sewing blocks together, you want seams that lay incredibly flat. A high-quality 50wt 100% cotton thread (like Aurifil) is considered the gold standard. Because it is so fine, it doesn’t add bulk to your 1/4-inch seam allowances, ensuring perfectly accurate block sizes.
4. Choose Your Quilting Thread
- When it is time to quilt the layers together, decide if you want the stitches to hide or stand out. For blending in, use a 50wt cotton. If you want your quilting designs to pop and show off beautiful texture, switch to a slightly thicker 40wt thread.
5. Select the Bobbin Thread
- Generally, use the exact same thread in the bobbin as you do on the top spool. However, if you are machine quilting with a thick top thread (like 30wt) or a metallic thread, you should load the bobbin with a finer 50wt thread to keep the tension balanced and avoid bulky knots on the back.
Top FAQs for Choosing Thread:
What does “50wt” actually mean? +
“Wt” stands for weight. In the standard thread sizing system, the higher the number, the finer the thread. A 50wt thread is very thin and perfect for flat piecing, a 40wt is slightly thicker and great for visible quilting, and a 12wt is very thick, often used for heavy topstitching or hand embroidery.
Should I use cotton or polyester thread for a cotton quilt? +
100% cotton thread is traditional and preferred for cotton quilts because it wears, washes, and shrinks at the exact same rate as the fabric. However, high-quality polyester threads are perfectly acceptable for modern quilts; just avoid cheap poly, which can be overly wiry.
Can I use regular “all-purpose” sewing thread for piecing? +
Yes, you can. Standard all-purpose thread (like Gutermann or Coats & Clark) is usually a 40wt or 50wt poly-cotton blend and works fine. However, dedicated 50wt 100% cotton piecing threads are thinner, meaning your seam allowances will lay flatter and be more accurate.
What color thread is best for piecing a multi-colored quilt? +
You do not need to change your thread color for every block! A medium gray (like “Dove Gray”) or a neutral tan (like “Sand”) acts as a chameleon and will beautifully blend into almost any fabric color without showing through the seams.
Do I have to use the exact same thread in the bobbin? +
For piecing, yes, use the same thread on top and bottom. For machine quilting, you usually match them, but you can put a lighter 50wt thread in the bobbin while using a decorative, thicker 40wt thread on top. Just be sure to test your tension first!
Does thread expire or go bad? +
Yes, especially natural fibers! Old vintage cotton threads on wooden spools look charming but often suffer from “dry rot” and will snap easily under tension. To test old thread, pull a length and give it a sharp yank. If it snaps with very little effort, throw it away!
