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Back to My Soap Box
Patchworkers, new to the craft, often
ask which thread they should use when piecing and quilting their precious work.
Early in my patchworking career I was taught to choose 100%
cotton thread for both piecing and quilting, to safeguard my work.
The theory goes like this, cotton threads will protect your cotton
projects because the threads will not be stronger than the
fabric, and therefore they won't cut through the fabric at the seams. If you
plan for your quilt to be loved, and used, you can expect that it will be
subjected to lots of handling over it's life. It is always much easier to
replace a line of stitching than to try to repair a seam line where the fabric
has been cut by the thread.
Cotton threads are also kinder to your sewing machine because they will
break before they bend a valuable part and are not likely to cut channels in the
thread path.
I can remember when the synthetic knit fabrics (crimpalene etc) first started
appearing on the market people stopped using 100% cotton thread and started
using polyester threads because they were stretchy, to match the fabric.
Some of these early threads were so strong that they
actually damaged the sewing machine. In the late 1970s, when I worked in a
craft/ machine shop, the sewing machine mechanic showed me the damage that
some of the threads were causing to the machines. He was finding grooves &
channels were being cut into the thread path and he attributed it to the
thread being much tougher/stronger than the cotton thread people used
previously.
I am pleased to be able to say that polyester threads have improved since
that time and the good quality threads are now "machine" safe.
However, after that visual example I was always careful to pay attention to the
quality of the thread when dressmaking and this followed on to my
patchwork.
A good guide to use to test a thread is to try snapping it with your fingers.
The thread should not break immediately (too weak) but you should be able to
snap it before it cuts your fingers.
If you find that the thread is so strong that it cuts you before
snapping then image what constant use will do to your machine.
So think about your machine, even though it may be more expensive to buy good quality thread, if
you have a good sewing machine then you shouldn't have to think twice about
choosing a quality thread.
Monofilament is another thread to be wary of using on
your machine. Despite popular opinion, many machine mechanics claim that it is
does damage the
tension dials and thread path. If you must use this type of thread be sure to choose the best
quality possible and give it a "break test" before considering it
for your machine.
I am a firm believer that colour matching thread to your fabric will enhance your quilt.
There are so many beautiful cotton threads available today that when you think about the time and money that you invest in the making of a
quilt, the cost of a spool of good quality cotton thread is insignificant in the
total cost.
However one thing to be aware of when choosing cotton
thread is that not all cotton thread is created equal. Some are not designed
for use in the sewing machine.
Never use a "quilting" thread, that
has been waxed or glazed, in your machine. This thread is designed to be used
for hand quilting and the waxing materials used to coat the surface of the
thread can gum up the tension discs on your sewing machine.
If you have not yet tried cotton sewing thread for you
patchwork consider using Cotton
Mako' in your next project.
It is made by AURIfil in Milan Italy using MAKÒ the
BEST grade of 100% long staple Egyptian cotton. This mercerised cotton
thread is an exceptional quality and value. It the cleanest, smoothest,
almost lint free thread on the market making it a high quality thread with very
little "fuzz" to accumulate in the bobbin race when stitching.
Cotton Makò can be used for a wide
variety of your sewing, quilting, embroidering and serging projects. It is excellent for all your hand piecing, quilting and appliqué
projects and can be used in all home and commercial
embroidering and quilting machines. It is also competitively priced to make it
an economical choice for a high quality thread.
Just a final comment on the use of
embroidery polyester threads such as Aurilux when quilting.
If you test these threads you will find that they pass the "snap"
test and are therefore safe to use on your precious projects. They will
give a wonderful sheen to the stitching and will not cause any problems to the
fabric when used in wall hangings and other "low use" items. If you wish to use Aurilux on a bed quilt, or other item that will
have heavy use, and are concerned about potential stress damage I would recommend that you use Cotton Mako in the bobbin. This
way you will still have the brilliant colours of the Aurilux threads on the
surface but the added safety of a cotton thread on the back to reduce any
stress on the fabric.
Footnote:
Mercerisation is the process whereby cotton
thread is treated to remove surface fluff. It has the effect of reducing the
lint build up when stitching. It also strengthens the thread and adds a gentle
lustre to the surface.
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Why Use Cotton thread?
