A polyester thread is a great choice for quilting. Polyester thread has some noteworthy qualities that not only look awesome but can also help lengthen the life of your quilt.
Polyester Quilting Threads
Polyester is far stronger than cotton, and as a result, you can find this thread in significantly smaller sizes than cotton will be available in because the thread will still retain its strength, even at a super fine size like 100wt.
50 weight thread
The perfect choice for both piecing and quilting, 50wt is the most popular thread used in quilting. It's favoured by both beginner and expert quilters. There's a huge range of 50w threads on the market but we'd recommend opting for Aurifil. They sell a range of 50w threads in a brilliant colour range.
As a good quality thread, it has earned its reputation for being the thread of choice for many quilters. Cotton thread is pretty easy to find and inexpensive which makes it suited for piecing, machine quilting and hand quilting. For quiltmaking, use only a high quality cotton thread if using this type of thread.
Polyester is less likely to stretch out of shape over time, making it a good option for clothes that need to fit tightly or stay in place throughout an activity. However, if you want something with a bit more drape or movement, cotton would be a better pick because it's softer and more elastic.
Overall, polyester thread is a great choice for quilting. Its durability and lint-free nature are exceptional features for quilters to consider when choosing thread. Remember, there's no right or wrong choice between polyester and cotton thread for quilting.
The cons of polyester are mostly environmental, such as high energy and water consumption, pollution, and inability to biodegrade. But there are material cons as well, such as a higher likelihood of pilling, running, and pulling.
Polyester and cotton can both be used for quilting, but 100% quilting cotton is generally preferred by quilters because it is more breathable and easier to work with. Polyester is a synthetic fabric that can be slippery and difficult to control while quilting, and it can also be less durable than cotton over time.
Twelve-weight thread is just the right thickness for both of these techniques. Cotton Thread provides a nice soft hand, while Filaine produces a textured look. Both thread types are available in beautiful colors. Generally, “quilting thread” is either cotton, polyester, or a blend of both.
Quilt piecing
The gold standard for piecing quilt tops is a 50-weight cotton thread. A few excellent choices for piecing are Aurifil Mako 50 weight cotton thread and our exclusive Bluprint Pima Thread . Both threads are smooth and fine, while at the same time being strong and durable.
Choose thread colors that will match or blend with fabrics in your quilt. If using dark fabrics, a dark gray would be a good choice. If using light fabrics, off-white blends well. When making scrap quilts of many colored fabrics, choose a neutral thread, such as medium gray.
CONTENT- Quilting thread is usually a natural fiber 100% cotton, but sometime can be a cotton covered polyester core, or a cotton look polyester. Embroidery thread tends to be most commonly rayon, but also polyester, silk and yes cotton.
This makes polyester thread a better use for stretch knit fabrics. The thread also is more resistant to abrasion, mildew, and sunlight than cotton. The downside however, is that polyester thread is generally thicker, kinks more easily, and will melt at high temperatures.
A quilt can be made from almost any fabric. The fabric content will, however, dictate the use and proper care of the quilt. Making a quilt with polyester is much the same as creating a quilt from cotton.
Mixing polyester and cotton fabric pieces together in a quilt can create seams that are uneven or bumpy. i.e., distorted. Additionally, where a good steam press can often correct a problem seam when the fabrics are all cotton, polyester seems to have a mind of its own, refusing all efforts to make it lie flat.
– Always use a good cotton thread, that matches the binding not the backing of the quilt. If the thread matches both, great – but it's more important that the thread match the binding. – Use a single thread, not a double thread.
If your quilting pattern is tight in some areas (several of lines coming together at one point) those areas will feel more stiff for sure. A soft, curved design often does wonders. Here's a example of an ideal quilting design for a soft, cozy quilt.
What is the Thinnest Batting? Thermore® is a very thin, flat and lightweight polyester batting. Hobbs Tuscany® Silk, and our Tuscany® and Heirloom® 100% cotton battings, are made with natural fibers that are also very low loft and offer a flat appearance.
Cotton thread is best used when sewing with natural fibre fabrics. The cotton will take lots of heat which is really important when you are pressing seams. Many cotton threads are mercerised which means they have a smooth covering to make them easier to dye and give them a lustrous, smooth, finish.
Polyester is more durable than cotton, making it a better choice if you're often on the go. It's also waterproof, stain-resistant, breathable, wrinkle-resistant, and flame retardant; however, since polyester isn't organic, it should not be worn in direct sunlight.
Cotton, on the other hand, may shrink or fade over time. Care: Cotton may require special care during washing and drying, while polyester is easy to care for and can be machine-washed and dried without any special instructions.
Unlike wool, polyester does nothing to regulate your body temperature while you sleep. This is another reason Polyester shouldn't be in your bed. Synthetic materials don't breathe, and thus, will always leave you feeling too hot, or too cold. What's more, most polyesters are “water resistant”.
Cotton thread is the most popular, and made from cotton fibres. It's soft and won't stretch. This thread has a low in lustre but can fade and shrink. High quality cotton threads are made from the long cotton fibres, these tend to be stronger and less likely to fray in your machine.
Medium-weight polyester threads are the preferred choice for many sewers as a general-use sewing thread for garment sewing, bag sewing, and much more. In lighter weights, polyester threads can be used in a bobbin or as a blind stitch thread—they're even strong and smooth enough to use in a serger!