Invisible thread

[sewbug]

Remember a lot of the older quilting books that list what is the best thread for what are still excellent but the new thread that has been introduced in the past few years is really good stuff and much improved from what was. The quilting blogs are great to get current reviews from patterns to thread. Many designers try the new products and write about the experience on their blogs.

[Granma2five]

It's nice that we have a variety of threads out there, so we can try one or all of them to see which we each prefer. As we know, sometimes even different machines prefer different threads.

I mentioned Harriet Hargrave as a knowledgeable source, as she has used invisible thread since the early 1980's, and two, her quote is updated in her 4th Edition book, "Heirloom Machine Quilting". I felt this to be worthwhile, viable information. Not everything new is best, but it's nice to have options for the merchandise we would like to buy. The designers, the fabric manufacturers, everyone, would like us to keep spending our money on something new as often as possible.

[grammiequilts]

If you take a magic marker in red or black and color the end of your invisable thread you will be able to thread your needle easir because you can see it

[sunsup]

Thanks Gtammiequilts. I'm sure going to give that a try.

[Itchn2Bstitchn]

Sewbug -

What are some of the "problems" with invisible thread. I'm nearing the end of quilting my Granny's Flower Garden quilt and I've been using invisible thread for the first time. I did stitch in the ditch for the most of it and it was fine. When I went to do the butterflies in the squares, I had a terrible time with it. I am finished with 6 of the butterflies and continually have problems with skipped stitches or the bobbin thread seams like it has no tension on it. I have 2 more butterflies to go and I'm honestly thinking about tearing them all out! It is very frustrating. It is my first attempt to do free-motion quilting on something other than my doggie quilts.

Jan

[Granma2five]

Hi Jan,

Just a couple of ideas for you. Is it time to change your needle? 80/12 or less? Clean out your bobbin case area? Have you lowered your top tension? Stitches aren't too long, are they? That can cause breakage. What are you using in the bobbin? Best of luck to you.

Happy quilting,

Karla

[sewbug]

I use invisible thread in the top, not the bobbin. I use very fine thread, size 60 or 70, in the bobbin that matches the back of the quilt. That size thread buries in the fabric and all you see is the quilting. It works so much better for me that way. I use a Schmetz 16/8 needle. Hard to find that size in my area. I sew at a slower speed than normal when using the invisible thread. It's all trail and error at first so be sure when you get it to suit you, write down what needle, thread, tension, batting, etc. that worked. Good excuse to buy a pretty journal for your machine notes.

[1quiltinnana]

I have QIAD invisible thread. Will try it out soon. I hope it works as good as they say it does.