If you've ever wondered whether you should use cotton thread for your quilts, you're not alone. This is one of the most common questions quilters ask, and it often leads to confusion about whether the thread fiber needs to match the fabric fiber. It's like asking which flavor of ice cream is best. It's ultimately a matter of personal preference, based on factors such as the fabric used and the thread's intended visual role (do you want it to blend or be bold and visible?)
Here's the truth: both cotton and polyester threads are fantastic for quilting. Some quilters love cotton. Others love polyester. Many love both. We love both.
Unfortunately, there are several myths about using polyester thread when quilting. Let's clear those up right now. You might have heard that polyester will tear the fabric. That's false. Or that the thread fiber should match the cotton fabric so they'll both shrink at the same rate. If you're using quality cotton fabric, shrinkage usually isn't a problem. Even if there is some shrinkage, a woven cotton fabric and a twisted cotton thread won't shrink by the same amount. Then there's the idea that you want the thread and fabric to wear out at the same rate. If cotton fabric lasts 100 years and polyester thread lasts 150 years, does that really matter?
YLI uses 100% Egyptian-grown, extra-long staple cotton (Giza-class cotton) for smoother stitching
Here's the only thing that may require extra caution: if you're piecing with polyester thread, set your iron to medium before pressing the seams. Perfection is a perfect polyester piecing thread, and this simple adjustment prevents any heat-related issues. Polyester has high heat resistance, with a melting point between 482°F and 500°F. That's a high melting point, but some irons can reach that temperature on the cotton setting, and prolonged exposure (e.g., pressing seams or leaving the iron in place for 5-10 seconds) may damage polyester. While this scenario is possible, most quilters and sewists aren't leaving irons on their fabric for 10 seconds in the same place.
Now let's explore what makes each fiber type special and how to choose the right one for your projects.
Understanding Cotton Quilting Thread
Cotton thread has been a quilting staple for generations, and for good reason. It has a natural drape, a soft hand, and a beautiful matte finish that many quilters prefer for traditional quilts.
But not all cotton quilting threads are created equal. The quality of cotton thread depends largely on something called staple length, which is the length of the individual cotton fibers before they're spun into thread. If you want to dive deeper into this topic, read our guide on choosing the best cotton quilting thread.
Cotton Staple Length and Quality
How Cotton Staple Length Affects Thread Quality
The length of individual cotton fibers directly impacts thread performance. Longer fibers mean fewer splices, less lint, and stronger thread that stitches smoothly through fabric.
| Staple Length | Fiber Length | Characteristics | YLI Products |
|---|---|---|---|
| Short Staple | 0.87 to 1.1 inches (22-28mm) | Excess lint, visible fuzz, rougher feel, weaker (more thread breaks) | We don't use short staple cotton for our threads |
| Long Staple | 1.13 to 1.38 inches (28-35mm) | Smoother than short staple, reduced lint, fewer breaks, mid-range quality | We don't use short staple cotton for our threads |
| Extra-long Staple | 1.38 to 1.75+ inches (35-45+mm) | Smoothest surface, very low lint, increased strength, stitches through fabric smoothly, Egyptian-grown | Dream Seam, Majestic, Hand Quilting Thread, Machine Quilting Thread, Soft Touch |
Here's why staple length matters: longer fibers mean fewer splices when the thread is spun. Fewer splices mean less lint, a smoother surface, and a stronger thread that breaks far less when quilting.
YLI uses only 100% Egyptian-grown, Giza-class, extra-long staple cotton for all our cotton threads. This accounts for only 0.03% of global cotton production. Our cotton is processed in Japan to exacting standards. The difference is noticeable the moment you start stitching. Learn more about why Egyptian cotton thread is worth it.
Why Quilters Choose Cotton Thread
Cotton quilting threads work beautifully for:
- Traditional quilts, where you want a natural and a vintage aesthetic
- Hand quilting, especially with glazed cotton like our Hand Quilting Thread
- Projects where you prefer a matte finish and like the look of cotton thread
- Quilts that will be washed frequently (cotton is absorbent and colorfast)
YLI's cotton threads include Dream Seam (50 wt. for piecing and quilting), Majestic (40 wt. for quilting, available in variegated colors), and Hand Quilting Thread (40 wt. glazed for hand work).
An illustration showing four types of threads, from L to R: Egyptian-grown extra-long staple cotton, trilobal polyester, filament polyester, poly-wrapped poly core.
Understanding Polyester Quilting Thread
Polyester thread has come a long way since its introduction. Today's high-quality polyester threads deliver exceptional strength, vibrant colors, and lint-free performance, making them ideal for a wide range of quilting and sewing applications.
But here's something many quilters don't realize: there are actually several distinct types of polyester thread, each with different characteristics. We'll touch on five types of polyester threads in this article. For a deep dive into high-sheen polyester threads, see our article on trilobal polyester threads.
Five Types of Polyester Thread
Not all polyester threads are the same. The manufacturing process creates five distinct types, each with unique characteristics and ideal applications for quilting and sewing.
| Type | How It's Made | Characteristics | YLI Products |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spun Polyester | Short polyester fibers twisted together | Cotton-like texture and appearance, some lint, affordable, widely available | Jeans Stitch (12 wt.) |
| Multifilament Polyester | Long, continuous polyester fibers | Silky feel, can be matte finish or high sheen, increased strength, lint-free stitching, available in any weight | Perfection (50 wt.), Precision (60 wt.), Variations (40 wt.), Super Strong (40 wt.), M-style Prewound Bobbins (60 wt.) |
| Trilobal Polyester | Continuous fibers with triangular cross-section | High-sheen appearance like silk, it almost sparkles as it reflects light | Elite (40 wt. solid colors) |
| Poly-wrapped Poly Core | Filament polyester core that is wrapped in spun polyester | Strong thread (much stronger than spun polyester) with a soft, matte finish, low lint | QuiltMaker (40 wt.), VariQuilt (40 wt.), Unlimited Universal (28 wt.) |
| Monofilament | Long, continuous polyester fibers that are not twisted or spun together | Shiny and very fine (thin). Often compared to "fishing line." For quilting and appliqué | Invisible Thread Polyester (very fine) |
The manufacturing process makes all the difference. Polyester starts as synthetic polymer pellets that are heated, melted, and extruded through a spinneret (think of it like a showerhead with tiny holes). For regular filament polyester, the holes are round. For trilobal polyester, the holes are triangular, creating a three-sided fiber shape that reflects light at multiple angles. That's what gives threads like Elite their beautiful, silk-like sparkle.
Why Quilters Choose Polyester Thread
Polyester quilting threads excel at:
- Longarm quilting when strength and low-lint or lint-free performance are critical
- High-speed sewing on home machines
- Projects where you want vibrant colors or high-sheen effects
- Embroidery and decorative stitching
- Situations where you want to minimize lint buildup in your machine
YLI's polyester collection includes filament threads such as Perfection (50 wt. for piecing, quilting, and general sewing), Precision (60 wt. for fine, detailed quilting and bobbin use), M-style Prewound Bobbins ( 60 wt. lint-free polyester for longarm quilting), Invisible Thread Polyester (very fine) for stitch-in-the-ditch and invisible appliqué, and QuiltMaker (40 wt. for longarm). For high-sheen stitching, try Elite (40 wt., 200 solid colors), Variations (40 wt., variegated), or Super Strong (40 wt. for machine quilting)
How to Choose the Best Thread for Your Quilt
Instead of thinking about cotton vs. polyester as opposing choices, think about four key factors that help you match thread to project.
1. Visibility Goal
Fine threads to blend: If you want your stitches to disappear into the fabric, choose fine threads like Precision (60 wt. polyester), Perfection (50 wt. polyester), Dream Seam (50 wt. cotton), Invisible Thread, or Silk #100.
Medium threads to show: When you want your quilting to be visible but not dominate the design, use medium-weight threads like Majestic (40 wt. cotton), QuiltMaker (40 wt. polyester), Elite (40 wt. high-sheen polyester), Variations (40 wt. variegated polyester), or Super Strong (40 wt. polyester).
Bold threads to feature: For decorative quilting where the thread is a design element, consider heavier weights or variegated threads, such as VariQuilt (40 wt. polyester) or variegated versions of Majestic and Variations.
2. The Lint Factor
Even the highest-quality cotton threads, such as Majestic and Dream Seam, produce some lint. It's very little, but it's there. A spun polyester thread will also have some lint (often more than extra-long staple cotton threads).
Multi-filament polyester threads like Perfection, Elite, Precision, Variations, and Super Strong are lint-free. This makes them ideal for quilters who want to minimize machine cleaning and for anyone who's frustrated by lint buildup.
3. Shiny or Matte Finish
Matte finish: Majestic, Dream Seam, Perfection, QuiltMaker, VariQuilt
High sheen (silk-like sparkle): Elite, Variations, Super Strong, Silk #100
Medium sheen: Invisible Thread
Low sheen: Precision
4. Fiber Type Preference
Cotton threads: Majestic, Dream Seam, Hand Quilting Thread, Soft Touch
Polyester threads: Perfection, Elite, QuiltMaker, Precision, Variations, Super Strong, Invisible Thread, VariQuilt
The Reality: There's No Wrong Choice
Here's what we want you to take away from this guide: both cotton and polyester threads deliver beautiful results when you choose quality products and match the thread to your project.
Don't let myths or outdated advice limit your choices. Polyester won't damage your fabric. Cotton doesn't have to match your cotton fabric. And the thread doesn't need to wear out at the same rate as your quilt.
What matters is choosing a thread that aligns with your project goals and is an absolute pleasure to stitch with. If you love the natural aspect and matte finish of cotton, you'll love Dream Seam and Majestic. If you want lint-free performance and vibrant colors, Perfection, Elite, Variations, and Super Strong are excellent thread choices.
Remember: Try both cotton and polyester threads. Experiment with different weights and finishes. Pay attention to how the thread stitches on your machine and how it looks in your finished quilts. That hands-on experience will teach you more than any article ever could.
Your quilts deserve high-quality thread, whether it's cotton, polyester, silk, or monofilament. Choose what works for you, and enjoy the process of creating something beautiful.
About YLI's Dream Seam Cotton Thread
When you're looking for premium cotton quilting thread that stitches smoothly with minimal lint, Dream Seam 50 wt. Egyptian cotton thread is the choice of quilters who demand the best. Made from Giza-class, 100% Egyptian-grown, extra-long-staple cotton (only 0.03% of the world's extra-long staple cotton crop is Egyptian-grown) extra-long-staple), Dream Seam offers a natural drape, a beautiful matte finish, and exceptional strength for piecing and quilting.
Quilters consistently tell us, "I wish I had this thread many years ago," after experiencing Dream Seam's smooth performance. It's strong and durable, produces minimal lint, and delivers consistent stitch quality whether you're piecing intricate blocks or quilting through multiple layers. Available in a wide range of colors, Dream Seam is perfect for traditional quilts, modern designs, and everything in between.
Shop Dream Seam Cotton Thread
