Quilting Thread

What is the difference between quilting thread and all purpose thread?

can the be used interchangeablely?
Wow a great answer…..I never knew there was such a variety in the thread types. I misktakeningly bought some threadt that was for hand quilting…because i liked the color better. I am using it on my machine. for general sewing. Like making purses, and few clothing garments…and to do some hemming? I was wanting to be able to use them and not have to throw them away and buy new. do you think it will work for theses purposes?

HAND quilting thread is always 100% cotton, usually mercerized (treated with caustic alkali under tension to increase strength, luster, and affinity for dye), and is often coated to avoid tangling.

MACHINE quilting thread is either cotton or cotton-polyester blend.

All-purpose thread is usually made from polyester or rayon.

===============================================

I wouldn’t advise using the two interchangeably, but you’d have to be more specific as to WHICH thread you want to use on WHAT fabric, and how you plan to use it (hand or machine) before I could say for sure.

Specialty threads include metallic, silk and nylon (nylon is often used in mass-produced garments), embroidery, water soluble thread (used for basting), holographic “ribbon” thread, etc.

TX Griff

===================================

Edited 05/30/07 to answer add-on question.

Yes, the number of colors available with mercerized cotton thread is amazing… from the luscious to the sublime.

You should be fine using the quilting thread in your machine.

That said, you just want to be careful if the pieces you’re making a) require a DRY HIGH HEAT for their care (like a HIGH HEAT dryer or a HIGH HEAT ironing) and b) there’s a difference between the fiber of your thread and the fiber of your piece.

In this case, if your fabric is cotton, using a cotton thread is fine, but if your fabric is “fake,” you should consider using a “fake” fiber thread, too. High heat can cause undue puckering when the fabric/thread are fiber mismatched.

Enjoy,
TX Griff

How to Tie a Knot in Thread for Hand-Sewing or Quilting

Colorful 12 Thread Spools 4 Needles Sewing Set Quilting Kit $5.68

LEARN MACHINE QUILTING BOOK~INSTRUCTION~QUILT~FABRIC~THREAD~SEWING~SEW $14.99

STITCH & QUILT ACCESSORIES BOOK~INSTRUCTION~QUILTING~FABRIC~THREAD~SEWING $14.99

EVERYDAY ANGELS QUILT BOOK~INSTRUCTION~QUILTING~FABRIC~THREAD~SEWING $14.99

MACHINE QUILTING DECORATIVE THREAD BOOK~INSTRUCTION~QUILTING~FABRIC~SEWING $14.99

BALTIMORE BEAUTIES QUILT BOOK~INSTRUCTION~QUILTING~FABRIC~THREAD~SEWING~95 PATTE $28.99

QUILTAGAMI QUILT BOOK~INSTRUCTION~QUILTING~FABRIC~THREAD~SEWING $28.99

STAR COTTON MACHINE QUILTING & CRAFT THREAD~CAMEL #309A $5.95

Quilting thread 10 spools $5.00

12 Pcs Colorful Thread Spools 6 Pcs Needles Sewing Set Quilting Kit $8.49

Fantastic-o Fat Fun quilt sewing pattern by Threaded Pear 2 sizes $9.00

226 Cocoon Bobbins Danfield Quilting Thread – White $7.99

Makower UK :=: CHATELAINE COTTON REELS :=:Fabric thread $5.00

1/2 YD KAFFE FASSETT FABRIC- FALL 2011 – PARASOLS – FUCHSIA – PWGP127 $4.29

Home Quilting Stitch Yellow Cotton Sewing Thread Spool $5.01

Mar April 1984 Needle & Thread Creative Sewing Craft Idea Magazine Quilt Pattern $0.99

Lot of 2 COUNTRY THREADS Wallhanging Quilt Patterns – Get Out! ♥ Constellation $8.99

Cat Kitten Thimble Thread 10-3/4″ x 11″ Quilt Block Square Buttons $2.75

Golden Threads Quilting Paper 12″(W) x 20 yards(L) – FREE SHIP $14.99

Vintage Sunset Stitchery Blue Country Quilt Embroidery Kit #240 Wool Thread $8.95

Ebony Visions The Thread That Binds Quilt 60 x 50 $199.95

QUILTING FABRIC, MUSLIN, THREAD, NEEDLES, HOOP, TAPE MAKER, NEEDLE GRABBER ~ NEW $14.50

Home Quilting Stitch Blue Cotton Sewing Thread Spool $8.06

NEW 10 LARGE Spools of 3 ply 1000M WHITE QUILTING SEWING SERGER THREAD $12.45

Mumm Cream Thread Stitches Quilting Sewing Craft Fabric $7.98

Quilting Arts Magazine~Aug/Sept 2010 Photo art~thread sketching $7.50

3 Country Threads Wall Quilt Patterns–sheep, courthouse, farmers daughter $9.00

Ralph Lauren Regent Quilted Standard Pillow Sham 600 Thread Count $20.00

“Wear Warm Clothes” Pines Print tan/brown Fabric by Country Threads for Benartex $2.83

SEWING FABRIC PLAID WITH GOLD THREADS RUNNING THROUGH IT $4.99

BLESSINGS* Quilting Pattern Book by Country Threads 1996 $19.99

Quilted Crochet Needle & Hook Case with Sewing Spool Thread Design $4.99

F-258 QUILT FABRIC REMNANT-BENARTEX,COUNTRY THREADS 20″ $3.99

Threads Magazine May 2001 #94 Garden Quilts, Petite $4.49

Colorful 12 Thread Spools 4 Needles Sewing Set Quilting Kit $6.17

Singer Inspiration 4228 Sewing Machine $287.11 The Inspiration from SINGER.Simply the easiest. From idea to I’m done has never been easier.The Inspiration from SINGER is simply the easiest. Designed by sewers for sewers, Inspiration makes it unbelievably effortless to bring your best ideas to life. The Inspiration simplifies threading, bobbin winding and insertion, buttonholes and more. It covers all the basics - freeing you to create pro…

4 Piece Sewing Cookie Cutter Set $13.50 If you are a cookie baker, this is a must have for the holidays. This cute 4 pieced sewing themed cookie cutter set includes a sewing machine, thimble, scissors, and spool of thread. We had a great time decorating them for our open house. The cutters are 3″ long. Also, makes a great gift!…

Sewing Crafts Thread and Bow Heart Drawer Pull Knob $2.99 Price is per each round knob as shown in the picture above. High quality wood, measuring 1-3/4 inches diameter. Mounting screw is included for quick and easy installation using a household screwdriver. Each knob is hand-decorated decoupage style and given several coats of a gloss sealant. Please allow up to 5 business days for processing. This knob can be used on cabinets, bureaus, dressers, drawe…

2 Packages – Sculptured Edge Pre-pasted Wall Border Trim ~ Old Fashion Sewing Machines (30 Feet) $19.97 Exquisite design and colors of old fashioned sewing machines with thread and tape measures (and I believe I see scissors) over a burgundy and green quilt design with hearts….

The Thread that Binds Spool Table Lamp w/Shade $49.95 Are you a quilter or a seamstress? How cute would this lamp look on your sewing table? Featuring a spool of thread base and a pretty quilted shade this is a must for you or any of your quilting friends! This accent lamp is 35″ tall, uses a 60W bulb and has an on/off switch. UL Listed….

A Day of Threadplay with Libby Lehman $21.77 This 75 minute DVD of Libby Lehman, doing her thing with threads, is a must for every quilter’s library. Watch Libby in her studio demonstrate: Potluck Applique; Sheer Ribbon Illusions; and Sheer Fabric Play. Also includes Libby’s Best Sewing Tips….

Common Threads: Stories from the Quilt $29.95 As of 2004, a variety of drugs have been developed to resist, if not cure, AIDS–yet Common Threads: Stories from the Quilt remains as emotionally powerful as it was during the height of the crisis, when people were dying by the thousands every year. With a combination of photo-montages, interviews with friends and family members, home movies, and news footage, this 1989 documentary captures …

Quilting Arts Workshop Master Machine Quilting: Free-Motion Stitching and Thread Sketching with Susan Brubaker Knapp $16.99 Susan teaches you the basics of free-motion machine stitching, including thread work to enhance the surface and quilting to hold the layers together beautifully. Find out what materials you’ll need and how to get started. Beginners and intermediates–and those who have been too terrified to try until now–will find inspiration and answers, as well as lots of tips, techniques, and practical informa…

Golden Threads Quilters Ast Proportional Scale $6.95 Large and easy to read! Saves time and paper! Line up measurement of the current design size on inner ring with the new size measurement on the outside ring. Percentage of increase or reduction will appear in the opening. Resize on copy machine or scanner…

3.5 Flat Slanted Tweezers $10.20 Famore 4.5″ Flat tipped tweezers are great for pulling paper away on your paper piecing projects and removing unwanted threads from your sewing, quilting, or embroidery projects. Also a great tool for scrap booking. Note: The wife loves these for plucking unwanted eyebrow hairs!…

Whimsical Watches WS0440004 Womens Quilting Red Leather And Silvertone Watch $60.68 Love quilting? Know someone who does? This quiltingthemed Whimsical Watch is the perfect gift for the quilting enthusiast in your life with a miniature of a sewing machine thread and scissors.

Whimsical Watches S0440004 Quilting Red Leather And Silvertone Watch $91.03 Love quilting? Know someone who does? This quiltingthemed Whimsical Watch is the perfect gift for the quilting enthusiast in your life with a miniature of a sewing machine thread and scissors.

Dancing With Thread: Your Guide to Free-motion Quilting $19.71 No Synopsis Available

Foolproof Machine Quilting By Mashuta, Mary $25.17 Learn how to machine quilt using paperfolded and cut simple shapes to create quilting designs. Techniques included for using a variety of thread weights and stitches Provided by publisher. Author: Mashuta, Mary Subtitle: Learn to Use Your Walking Foot PaperCut Patterns for No Marking, No Math Simple Stitching for Stunning Results Publication Date: 2008/09/30 Number of Pages: 63 Binding Type: Paperback Language: English Depth: 0.25 Width: 8.50 Height: 11.00

Whimsical Watches C0440004 Womens Quilting Red Leather And Goldtone Watch $48.1 Love quilting? Know someone who does? This quiltingthemed Whimsical Watch is the perfect gift for the quilting enthusiast in your life with a miniature of a sewing machine thread and scissors. Band Width: 18. Clasp Type: buckle. Case Material: goldtonestainless steel. Case Size Thickness: 11. Case Size Diameter35. Dial Color: whiteQuiltingtheme. Bezel Material: goldtonestainlesssteel. Bezel Function: stationary. Crystal: plastic. Movement Type: japanesequartz

BROTHER XL3750 Convertible 35Stitch FreeArm Sewing Machine with Quilting Features $173.68 The XL3750 Convertible Free Arm Sewing Machine with bonus accessories has a wide variety of builtin utility decorative and heirloom stitches each with multiple stitch functions. Onestep autosize buttonhole maker with stitch balance control dropin bobbin with view of thread supply automatic needle threader freearm/flatbed convertible sewing surface. Builtin decorative utility and stretch stitches provide a professional finish on a variety of fabrics. Automatic bobbin winding system quilting features included stitch width and length control. Variable needle position: twin needle for decorative stitching dial thread tension control quick change presser feet. Electronic speed control builtin thread cutter builtin light illuminates the sewing area safety power and light switch. Light weight with builtin handle for portability. Lightweight flatbed/freearm convertible sewing machine with extra quilting features; with 35 stitches and 73 stitch functions. Offers auto needle threader dropin bobbin auto bobbin winding and 1step autosize buttonholer; stitch width and length control. 110volt machine operated using foot pedal with pushbutton reverse stitching; light bulb for workspace illumination. Comes with sewing notions quilting table 7 accessory presser feet cloth carrying case and user s manual; integrated handle for transport. Dimensions: 15.4 x 6.7 x 11.5 .

Dancing With Thread By Fahl, Ann $29.77 Author: Fahl, Ann Subtitle: Your Guide to FreeMotion Quilting Publication Date: 2010/05/16 Number of Pages: 96 Binding Type: Paperback Language: English Depth: 0.50 Width: 8.50 Height: 11.00

Singer 351 Quilting Pins $4.77 Singer 351 Quilting Pins Singer 351 Quilting Pins Features: Large head is easy to grasp Pins are longer for quilting White head 75 per card