Quilt in a Day Forums

Has anyone quilted their quilts and had to use a light colored thread on quilt top and a dark colored thread on the backing (bottom/bobbin) of the quilt. Does this work out ok?

I need to quilt the Cats (quilt top) with a light colored thread, but, the backing is dark purple Batik fabric. Do I need purple thread in bobbin? Lighter color in sewing machine needle? How do you set up your machine to do this so the Dark Purple thread doesn't show up on the top when it is stitched? Help please.

I've used different colored thread several times, with varied results, LOL! The trick is to get the tension as perfect as possible, so that - in a perfect world - the threads meet exactly inside the quilt sandwich rather than above or under it. Of course, this is not as easy as it sounds when it comes to real life

If you are going to quilt only straight lines it shouldn't be too difficult, though. Try out the tension by sewing on a small scrap piece with the two different threads and the same fabrics and batting that you have used in the quilt. Just adjust it until you're happy and don't see either thread appearing on the other side.

If you are going to free motion, it is a bit more difficult. The tension keeps changing slightly as you change sewing directions, so you need to choose an average thread tension setting that you can live with. Since the "wrong" thread will no doubt show in some places (particularly in sharp curves), I tend to think that I prefer it to be on the back rather on the front. So, if you can't find a perfect tension setting, settle for one that occasionally shows a little bit of thread on the back, rather than on the front of the quilt. At least that's what I would do...

I too would be interested in hearing other's experience of different thead colors!

1QN - it depends on whether or not you want the quilting to show up well. If you want the stitching to show up on the purple back then use a light color; if you don't want the stitching to show up so much use a matching thread. This goes for the front and the back.

Thanks for your help and suggestions/tips on sewing threads for quilting. I had not thought of adjusting the tensions for quilting with the two colors of thread. I will try it!

I think Mary answered perfectly. While I have done this successfully a few times I decided I really don't need that kind of stress in my life when there are so many choices. So as often as possible I pretty much select my backing with the thread color in mind. When you mix light and dark the tension is so critical and it can be a real time suck adjusting as you go. I'd rather just be quilting. Good luck!

HS Mary is right. I guess it depends on your machine, but I do this quite often and have not had a problem. On a light backing I like to use a verigated thread the matches the colors on the quilt top where I use a neutral color.

Have fun.

As long as you have the tension right it should be fine. I've quilted with 2 different colored threads before and didn't have a problem. Lori

I cheat & use varigated threads as much as possible. Most of the time I plan my quilts to use one of the fabrics on the front.

Good luck,
Sharon V.