What threads should I use?

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While we at the factory prefer polyester thread for its strength, durability, and relatively lint-free properties, we know that quilters often have other ideas!

That’s what is great about your APQS machine. It will stitch just about any thread that will fit through the eye of the needle, as long as you are willing to adjust the tension settings. If that intimidates you, read through the answer to question No. 1 for hints on successful tension adjusting.

The key to successful quilting lies in choosing a good quality thread--whether that’s polyester, cotton, metallic or another type. Each has positives and negatives.

For example, polyester thread runs smoothly through your machine and creates almost no bobbin lint; however, many quilters insist on only cotton thread in their quilts. That means more diligent cleaning of the bobbin area on your part, and the bobbin case. Lint build-up can fill the bobbin raceway and cause tension trouble, not to mention the possibility of sewing ugly lint to the back of the quilt if you’re not careful. Since cotton thread is generally weaker than polyester, it also means adjusting the top and bobbin tension for better stitch quality.

Specialty threads such as metallics and invisible thread can also be used in your machine, but require some speed and tension adjustments to run successfully. With metallics, you’ll need to slow down a bit so that the needle doesn’t get so hot from the friction and cause the thread to break.

You’ll also need to loosen your top tension, and choose a smooth bobbin thread that is smooth and light weight. For invisible thread, loosen the top tension as well, sometimes as much as two complete revolutions.

Ultimately you (and your customer, if you’re quilting for others) have the final say about the type of thread you’ll use. If polyester is your thing, look for smooth consistent fibers that don’t have an enormous amount of stretch.

If cotton is preferable, then look for mercerized, long-staple cotton, which produces less lint than other types. Check out our chat group on the web site for hints on using other types of threads and tricks to taming them!