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.
Follow the general rule of selecting thread color that is slightly darker than the fabric. A lighter colored thread shows up and even some mistake can be visible where as darker colored thread blends in well with every seam.
Cotton thread is the traditional choice for quilting. This thread is spun from a natural fibre that gives the distinct matte look of cotton.
In most cases, thread should match the fabric. If you can't find an exact match, select a color one or two shades darker. (That is because darker shades blend in more and lighter shades stand out more.)
A 50 weight thread is nice, but you'll still see your stitches. If you really want the stitches to settle into your quilt top, try an 80 or even a 100 weight thread. By choosing a value similar to the colors of your quilt top, you'll be able to add texture without changing the color of your design.
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.
When an exact color match is not available, choose the closest match with the color being slightly darker rather than lighter. A darker color will blend into a seam better than a lighter color and seem to match in a much better way than a lighter color.
Bobbin thread for embroidery can be any color, but it is common to use white and black threads. You can buy pre-filled bobbins that are plain white or black, and it doesn't matter if the color doesn't match the top thread. It is typically used on the underside of the fabric, so it does not need to match the top thread.
In terms of color, match the thread to the fabric when sewing shank buttons, so the stitches will be inconspicuous. But for sew-through buttons, match the thread to either the fabric or button, or try a contrast color for decorative effect.
Gütermann hand quilting thread is a beautiful 100% cotton thread specially designed for hand-sewn quilting projects. The glacé finish protects the thread from oils in your hands and prevents snarls and tangles. Not for machine use.
Both cotton and polyester are good choices for bobbin thread and are a matter of personal preference. Some sewing machines seem to prefer polyester which is slightly stronger. If 50 wt cotton thread is breaking, try another brand or try polyester thread.
As long as you use good quality thread, it's perfectly fine to use any type. There is one exception to this and that is nylon. Over time, nylon (monofilament) thread can get brittle and might even discolor. Other threads may be more appropriate than cotton for decorative quilting or embellishing.
40wt Aurifil thread is ideal for machine quilting, applique, embroidery, and hand stitching binding.
A cotton thread has a good amount of friction to it that your stitching won't easily slide out. We love Konfetti and Tutti 50wt long staple Egyptian cotton for this reason.
100% cotton thread is perfect for hand and machine quilting. Works well on both home sewing and quilting machines.
Machine Quilting Quick Tip: Bobbin thread color is important – even when your stitch is well-balanced. Use matching thread color for the richest version of the color or use a different color to create special effects.
Start with a good variety of neutral colors including black, dark grey, light grey, brown, tan, taupe, ecru and white. These core colors will work fabulously across multiple fabrics when doing overall designs.
You can use whatever color you want, but you don't need to change color to match the top thread. Your bobbin thread should not show through the top layer of stitching. It will only be seen on the back of the item. The reason you want to use a lightweight thread is to avoid too much bulk on the back of the item.
One of my favorite choices is Invisafil Thread by Wonderfil. The white Invisafil blends in across many colors of light and bright print fabrics, and the gray or brown Invisafil blends in across darker palettes.
Color: Pick thread that is one shade darker than the fabric. Weight: Match the thread weight to the fabric weight. Threads are ranked by a number system. A high number indicates a light (or fine) thread, and the medium weight of thread is a 50 weight.
Cotton is great for piecing, while polyester is better used for quilting. Cotton will shrink, while polyester will not. Silk threads are generally not used for quilting, as they are expensive and better suited to hand embellishments for clothing applications like applique and buttonholes.
The average machine quilting stitch length chosen is between 10 and 11 stitches per inch. This length complements both delicate designs as well as bolder quilting motifs. However, your stitch length may need to change as you increase both your batting thickness as well as your thread thickness.