How to Quilt>Thread for Quilts

More about Quilting Thread

 

The Machine Quilting Adventure The thread you use can make a big difference in your machine quilting. Learn the right types of thread to use from a machine quilting expert. Click here to learn more

 

Thread Finish

After thread is made, it is “finished” to make it better suited for various sewing purposes. I’ll admit, I’ve seen “mercerized” for many years on cotton covered polyester thread, and never known what it meant. Now I know what it means. Not that I will remember, or assign any particular additional meaning to it, but now I have heard it.

SOFT – this thread has no further processing. It is dyed and lubricated, rolled onto a spool and sold.

MERCERIZED – the thread is chemically treated in a solution that causes it to swell and make it easier to dye. The treatment also increases the luster of the thread and adds some strength.

GASSED – thread is passed through a flame at high speed to reduce the fuzz. This process also produces a higher sheen.

GLAZED – thread is treated with starches and special chemicals under controlled heat and then polished to a high luster. This thread has a hard finish that protects it from abrasion and keeps it from unraveling.

BONDED – continuous filament nylon or polyester thread is treated with a special resin that encapsulates (or contains) the filaments. This results in a tough, smooth coating that protects it from abrasion and keeps it from unraveling.

 

Twist

Thread is made by twisting either short fibers or continuous filaments together. A thread with too little twist may fray and break, while one with too much twist can cause snarling, looping and knotting.

Twist Direction

During manufacturing, thread is twisted either to the left (a “Z” twist) or to the right (an “S” twist). As thread passes through the machine, the action of the sewing machine tends to increase the twist of Z-twist thread, while it may cause an S-twist thread to untwist. It’s interesting information, and may explain a lot, but I’ve not seen that information advertised as I decide what kind of thread I will purchase.

Ply

Ply is the number of threads used in the twist. Two-ply means that two threads are used; three-ply means three threads are used. You can draw few conclusions about the weight or thickness of the thread simply by looking at the ply since manufacturers can use thinner filaments (or lighter weight individual strands) to make a three-ply thread that will be the same weight as a two-ply thread.

Bobbin Thread

It’s generally a good idea to use the same thread type in the bobbin as in the top of the machine. The exception is when you are using metallic, decorative or nylon thread. In those cases, a light weight cotton thread is probably the best thread to use.

For more detailed information about thread, Bob Purcell, President of Superior Threads visited with us in our Eavesdrop on a Telephone Conversation. A CD copy of his interview is included with The Machine Quilting Adventure or you can get a copy of the interview separately by visiting: Interview with Bob Purcell.

Happy Quilting!

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Penny is a quilter of more than 27 years who seeks to interest new quilters and provide them with the resources necessary to create beautiful quilts.

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©2006, Penny Halgren

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