Remember how you used to have to think–really concentrate–about riding a bike or driving a car? Now you just do these things right? Not mindlessly, but neither riding a bike nor driving a car take up every bit of your cerebral processing like they used to. If you are a novice quilter or sewist, we promise that someday you will feel the same way about choosing thread that you do about riding a bike. Meanwhile, we understand that thread can be overwhelming. Let us help with some thread basics.
First, let’s talk about thread weight. The weight (wt) of a thread is a measurement of how many kilometers of thread (length) it takes to reach a weight of one kilogram. The higher the number, the finer the thread. For example, a 60 wt thread will need 60 kilometers of thread to reach a weight of one kilogram. A 40 wt thread requires 40 kilometers of thread to reach a weight of one kilogram. 60 wt thread is finer and lighter than 40 wt thread. You can filter your search for thread on the Missouri Star website by weight.
Most of the thread that customers buy from Missouri Star is medium weight 40 or 50 wt quilting thread. Many quilters prefer finer 50 wt for piecing quilt tops–especially when many seams must meet in an intricate design. However, most quilters like to use 40 wt for machine quilting because the heavier thread helps the stitches stand out. 40 wt is commonly used for machine embroidery and appliqué. It is also a good sewing thread for clothing construction, home decor, and craft projects.
80 wt thread is very fine. Many quilters who hand piece their quilt tops like 80 wt cotton Aurifil thread, which Missouri Star carries in a wide range of colors. This thread is favored among those who hand piece because the thread glides through fabric and is very strong. This thread is also recommended for hand-stitching a binding and for appliqué.
A 12 wt thread requires only 12 kilometers of thread to weigh one kilogram; it is a heavy weight thread. Missouri Star offers 12 wt and 28 wt Aurifil thread cotton thread; both work well for hand or machine embroidery, appliqué, Sashiko, bold machine quilting, and big stitch hand quilting. Presencia perle cotton is heavy 8 wt thread for knitting, crochet, needlepoint, punchneedle embroidery, hardanger embroidery, edge stitching, Sashiko, or big stitch quilting. Missouri Star carries it in a wide array of beautiful colors.
A second thing to consider when choosing thread is its fiber content. The general rule of thumb is to match the thread to the fiber content of the fabric in the project. However, many quilters and sewers use polyester or poly-cotton thread on cotton fabric with good results. Thread choice is truly a matter of personal preference. Cotton thread is strong, accepts dye well, adjusts easily to changes with the fabric such as shrinkage, and tolerates high heat from pressing. If you are sewing synthetic blend fabrics, consider using polyester thread. It is strong and smooth, won’t shrink or fade, and has some give–making it a good choice for fabrics that stretch.
In this 11 minute video from Superior Threads, Amy explains the differences between polyester thread and cotton thread and dispels myths about each type. Toward the end of the video, she talks about OMNI thread–a low-sheen, 40 wt, 100% polyester thread from Superior Threads designed for sewing, serging, and high-speed longarm quilting. It produces little lint and comes with 6,000 yards wrapped on each spool, making it an economical choice.
Another cost conscious choice is our own Missouri Star Quilt Company thread, which is available in 50 wt cotton and 40 wt polyester. To help you build your thread stash, Missouri Star brand thread is available in solid thread collections. For example, you might like the Sweetheart Thread Pack–a bundle that includes a spool of red, white, and pink. Or you may prefer the Jade Garden Block of the Month Thread Pack that includes six spools: Eggshell, Lavender, Light Mauve, Purple, Soft Green, and Palmetto Green. These are two of many Missouri Star quilting thread sets.
If you are searching for a solid quilting thread, it is easy to become overwhelmed by the many choices you must make. But if you simplify your decision-making to four simple steps, the process will become much easier. 1) Decide what thread weight will be best for the project. 2) Choose whether you would prefer cotton or polyester thread. 3) Choose a brand of thread. Be aware that your choice of manufacturer may be determined by the first and second decisions you made. It also may be affected by your budget. 4) The fun part–choose a color that will be perfect for your project.
Quilters develop their preferences for thread through trial and error with many different types of projects, so don’t be afraid to experiment. And if you have specific questions about thread, don’t hesitate to chat or call us or send us a message. We will do our best to keep you stitching. Soon, selecting the right thread for your projects will be just like riding a bike!
