Behind the Seams with Barrett | Polyester Sewing Thread Magic

Strength and Style in Every Stitch

We love celebrating sewists and quilters who turn their hobbies into art, functional goods, businesses, boutiques, and more. Barrett Hale is one of these sewists. She is known for her beautifully crafted and durable handbags made from eye-catching fabrics, faux leather, and polished metal accents. She combines artistry with engineering in her work. If you ask her why her bags not only look great but are also functional and made from high-quality materials, you'll learn that her secret isn't just in her fabric choices or design. It's also in the thread that holds everything together.

"When someone admires one of my bags, they often notice the prints or the hardware," Barrett said. "But what really gives the bag its strength and longevity is the thread. It's the backbone of all seams."

For Barrett, and many sewists who care about creating high-quality goods, quality materials are non-negotiable. She chooses to use YLI's threads in her bags because of their consistency, strength, and balanced stitches. "I've tried many brands of thread over the years, but YLI is the one I trust. It handles thick layers of fabric and vinyl without fraying or breaking, and it always produces smooth, even stitches."

We love the colorful cat print and white vinyl blend.

Why Thread Choice Matters for Bag Makers

Sewing and constructing bags, purses, carryalls, etc., follows a different process than making quilts or clothing. The materials are usually heavier and thicker, which puts more strain on the seams. If you've ever bought a bag where the seams fell apart too soon, you've experienced the result of poor-quality thread, materials, and/or craftsmanship. Thread choice can significantly affect the quality of the finished sewn product. Strong, durable seams that can withstand daily use make the difference between a bag that lasts and one that frays, piles, or falls apart too quickly.

Barrett explained that she chooses polyester sewing thread because it provides the reliability she needs. "I use cotton for quilts, but when I'm sewing a bag, I reach for polyester every time," she said. "In my experience, a filament or corespun polyester thread is strong, smooth, and holds its shape, even under high tension."

High-tensile strength (also known as breaking strength) is what sets our Perfection and QuiltMaker threads apart. Both of these thread collections stitch extremely well under pressure while delivering the beauty and finesse that experienced sewists expect.

Stitching Smoothly with Perfection

Barrett often starts her projects with Perfection, our smooth 50 wt. polyester sewing and quilting thread. Made for high-speed stitching on both home and longarm machines, it has a soft, matte finish that blends beautifully with fabric.

What makes Perfection special is its construction. This multifilament polyester thread consists of many fine, continuous filaments twisted together. The result is a strong, highly flexible, and smooth thread. Perfection is unique, with a gentle texture that securely grips fabric with each stitch, helping to sew evenly without shifting or bunching—an essential feature for structured designs like bags and purses.

Perfection holds up beautifully on seams that get stress, like strap attachments or zipper ends. It's durable without being bulky, which keeps my bags looking refined.

"Perfection glides smoothly through fabric and vinyl without snagging," Barrett explained. "Because of its slight texture, it gives me better control. My seams stay flat, and my stitches look clean and balanced." That texture also helps with stitch formation. The fine fibers interlock neatly, creating a stable, consistent seam that resists unraveling. And because it's lint-free, Perfection helps keep machines cleaner and running smoothly, which quilters and sewists appreciate during long hours at their machines.

What are Multifilament Polyester Threads?

Many sewists are rediscovering the advantages of polyester sewing threads, thanks to recent technological advancements. Multifilament polyester threads are designed for precision, producing no lint, creating flat seams, and offering high tensile (breaking) strength. Each filament, thinner than a human hair, contributes to the thread's overall strength when twisted together, resulting in a stitch-ready thread that withstands high-speed stitching without breaking or fraying.

Unlike spun polyester, which is made from short fibers called staples that are twisted together, multifilament polyester has a continuous, smooth structure. The lack of fuzz reduces friction in the needle and mitigates snags and pulls while stitching. In bag making, where multiple layers of canvas, interfacing, or heavy materials like faux leather come together, the difference in quality is significant.

a cone of green quiltmaker thread on a metal thread stand

Using a thread stand for optimal thread delivery.

two cones of quiltmaker polyester thread on white and colorful fabric

Colorful prints provide a stark contrast to white vinyl.

Strength with Character: QuiltMaker for Visible Stitching

QuiltMaker is a poly-wrapped poly core thread, meaning it has a smooth filament polyester core surrounded by a layer of spun polyester fibers. This unique combination gives QuiltMaker the strength and stretch of a filament thread with the softness, natural feel, and matte finish of spun polyester. The result is a thread that is both tough and touchable.

"I use QuiltMaker when I want the stitches to stand out," Barrett said. "It has a subtle sheen and just enough texture to show off the stitch pattern. I love that it runs smoothly through my machine, even when I'm sewing through thick interfacing or layered handles."

QuiltMaker is a 40 wt. thread that is slightly heavier than Perfection, which is a 50 wt. thread. This weight difference creates a visible topstitch that adds depth and texture to the stitched design, whether it's a straight stitch or decorative motif. Like all YLI threads, QuiltMaker is colorfast, meaning it won't leach color when washed. It also has high abrasion resistance, ensuring that decorative stitches and seams stay looking their best even after extended use.

Fun details, like this cute "Made with love and pet hair" tag, add personality to the bag.

The Art of Color Matching

Color choice is vital when Barrett selects materials, fabrics, accessories, and thread for her bags. She often uses thread to complement rather than compete with her fabrics.

When a thicker thread or color contrast is needed, QuiltMaker is an excellent option. Its slightly heavier weight (40 wt. thread) enables the color to stand out and be more visible against the fabric, while maintaining a subtle matte finish and avoiding harsh hues. With over 80 colors of QuiltMaker available, Barrett can find the perfect hue or shade for any palette, from neutral linen tones to jewel-toned vinyls.

With finer threads like Perfection, she can be more creative with color. Even if the shade isn't an exact match, the thread blends well because it's finer and has a matte finish. Most sewists consider thread color an essential part of the design, not just a finishing touch. Whether it's outlining a shape, adding texture, or blending into the background, the right thread can subtly or boldly enhance a project.

Tension, Needles, and Machine Tips

Even the best thread needs a proper setup to excel. Barrett uses our Titanium-coated Topstitch needles, typically a size #80/12 for Perfection and #90/14 for QuiltMaker. These needles have a larger eye and deeper groove to protect the thread, preventing friction and fraying.

For tension, she recommends starting with the setting that has worked best for you. It might be 3.5 or 5.0, depending on your machine and materials. Begin where you're comfortable and make slight adjustments as needed. "Every material behaves differently," she said. "I always test a small sample first. Once the stitches look balanced, I know I'm ready to sew." For more information on adjusting tension, read our in-depth educational article Balanced Tension for Quilters.

She also recommends cleaning the bobbin area regularly, especially when switching between fabrics and threads that produce lint, or when using adhesive stabilizers. "A clean machine makes all the difference," she added.

Building Bags That Last

Barrett's dedication to quality and artistry shines throughout her process. From selecting fabrics and materials to choosing stabilizers, buttons, straps, and the right thread for custom bags and purses, her goal is clear: durability without sacrificing beauty. "People might not notice the thread right away, but they notice how the bag feels," she said. "When seams stay strong and stitching stays smooth, it shows the care that went into making it."

Her work embodies what YLI Threads stands for: threads that perform beautifully and are an absolute joy to stitch with.

inside of the white bag reveals green fabric with pocket

Tips for Sewing with Perfection and QuiltMaker

Use a thread stand when sewing with large cones. It ensures a smoother thread delivery and more consistent tension.
Keep all threads and fabrics away from direct sunlight. Sunlight causes colors to fade, and nobody wants that.
For balanced, even stitches on vinyl or coated fabrics, reduce the presser foot pressure slightly.
For extra fun, use Perfection in the bobbin with QuiltMaker on top, in contrasting colors, for a balanced stitch and striking personality.

Final Thoughts

Barrett Hale emphasizes that excellent craftsmanship starts with thoughtful choices. Selecting the best thread for a project isn't just part of the process; it's the unseen foundation that imparts strength, longevity, and character to each bag she makes. For quilters and sewists who enjoy sewing everything from quilts to handbags, YLI's Perfection and QuiltMaker collections provide reliable quality and ensure a smooth, satisfying stitch every time.

If you would like one of these beautiful bags, Barrett has bags available on her website and takes custom order requests. Please visit her website, Facebook page, or Instagram page.

About YLI's 50 wt. Perfection Polyester Thread

Perfection is the 50 wt. polyester quilting thread that quilters trust for smooth, balanced stitching when piecing, quilting, and sewing. Its low-lint, slightly textured finish gently grips fabric, keeping seams flat and stitches balanced. With 64 soft-toned colors on 3,000-yard cones and 20 colors on 500-yard spools, Perfection blends beautifully into your quilt design while performing perfectly on home and longarm machines. It's not too much, not too little, just Perfection.

Perfection 50 wt. lint-free polyester thread

cones of perfection 50 wt polyester thread for quilting and sewing

Frequently Asked Questions

What thread do you recommend for piecing quilt blocks?

For cotton lovers, Dream Seam is an excellent choice. This 50 wt. thread is made from 100% Egyptian-grown extra-long staple cotton, which means it's smoother, stronger, and produces far less lint than standard cotton threads. It's also mercerized for a soft sheen and gassed to remove fuzz, keeping your seams crisp and your machine cleaner.

If you prefer polyester, Perfection is a great alternative. This 50 wt. gently-textured polyester thread is completely lint-free, strong without being stiff, and blends so well into fabric that stitches nearly disappear.

For best results, pair either thread with a Topstitch #80/12 needle. The larger eye and deep groove of the Topstitch needle protect the thread, reducing skipped stitches, shredding, and breakage.

How important is it for the bobbin and top thread to match?

On a scale of zero to ten, this is a zero. Of course, there is no problem using different or matching threads on the top and in the bobbin. Here are things to consider:

The top thread is usually selected to enhance the quilt. Ultra-fine threads (monofilament/invisible threads, 100 wt.) are nearly invisible and don't add design flair to the quilt. Fine threads (60 wt. and 50 wt.) blend effortlessly into the fabric and are less noticeable, allowing the stitching pattern to be the focus. Medium (40 wt.), heavier (30 wt.), and variegated threads are designed to be visible and add personality to your quilt top. For very busy prints or a quilt top with many colors, an invisible thread (monofilament) is a quilter's favorite because the thread doesn't stand out.

There is no problem mixing thread types, such as using cotton on top and poly in the bobbin, or vice versa. There is also no problem mixing thread weights, for example, 40 wt. on top and 60 wt. in the bobbin. Prewound bobbins are very popular, and most prewounds are 50 wt. or 60 wt. threads. No problem using one of these prewounds with a thread of a different weight as the top. As a bonus, commercially wound prewound bobbins have more thread than self-wound bobbins.

How can I adjust my tension so the top thread and bobbin thread are perfectly even or balanced?

To achieve balanced tension, start by making minor adjustments to your top tension. On a home sewing machine, you'll either adjust the tension dial to a lower setting or, if you have a computerized machine, lower the tension through the touchscreen to loosen the top tension. To increase tension, move the dial to a higher number. When you feel like the top tension is right, perform a test stitch on scrap fabric using the same thread and needle as you'll use on your quilt.

If the top thread is visible or looping on the underside of the scrap fabric, increase the top tension. If your bobbin thread is being pulled up to the top of the scrap fabric, loosen the top tension. Make any adjustment in small increments, with an exception when quilting with metallic, monofilament (invisible), or other delicate or very-fine threads. When using these threads, start by setting your top tension to 1.0 and then increase slowly as necessary.

Ensure that the needle size matches the thread weight as well. If the needle is too small, it will add friction with each stitch and could cause fraying and broken threads.

My friend was told her that her new computerized sewing machine could only use certain thread types and weights. Is this true?

It's a common question, and the short answer is no. While some dealers or manuals may recommend specific threads, most home and longarm machines can handle a wide variety of thread types and weights, including cotton, polyester, nylon, and silk.

The key is to pair your thread with the correct needle size and set the proper tension. A high-quality 50 wt. cotton, like Dream Seam, or a smooth 60 wt. polyester, like Precision, will run beautifully in a well-maintained machine (you could even use cotton on top and polyester in the bobbin at the same time). With the right combination of proper needle, tension, and thread, your machine is far more versatile than it may seem. So, keep using the threads you love and enjoy the creative freedom they offer.

Can I use prewound bobbins in my machine? A friend told me it would void my warranty.

This is a common myth, but it is not true. High-quality prewound bobbins are safe to use in all sewing and longarm machines.

We use prewound bobbins every day in our sewing classroom (with over a dozen different machines) and in the longarm machines we use for quilting services in our store. They are reliable and efficient.

Here's why we love them:

They save time by eliminating the need to wind your bobbins.
They're precision-wound with professional-grade equipment for a tighter, more uniform bobbin.
They hold up to 70% more thread than self-wound bobbins, so you stitch longer with fewer interruptions.
YLI's prewound bobbins use the same high-quality thread on our spools and cones. We offer them in both Dream Seam and Precision, and we recommend them to any quilter who values smooth stitching, consistent tension, and maximum convenience (and who doesn't?).