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NEW THREAD -- Dream Seam cotton thread for bobbin, quilting, and piecing

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Finding the Perfect Thread Just Got Easier

Guides · 2 min read · October 20, 2025 · By Bob Purcell

spool of Precision 60 wt polyester thread on sewing machine

The Thread-Choosing Conundrum

If you've ever stood in a quilt shop aisle or triple-checked your cart online, staring at a dozen different thread names like Majestic, Dream Seam, Perfection, or Precision, you're not alone. Even longtime quilters have told us, "I didn't realize you had so many threads, and I wasn't sure where to start!"

At YLI Threads, we've spent decades making premium-quality threads for quilters, sewists, and embroiderers. But we also realized something important: when there's too much choice and not enough guidance, even the most experienced quilter can feel a little lost.

Download Our Thread Match Guide

A Visual Shortcut to Smart Thread Pairing

We created a handy Thread Application Guide to serve as an easy-to-navigate visual reference to help you match the right thread with your intended application or technique. Whether you're piecing the blocks of a queen-size quilt, quilting feathers on your longarm machine, appliquéing by hand, or enhancing a jacket with high-sheen embroidery thread, this chart walks you through which thread lines to consider.

We grouped our threads based on the primary application or technique, then listed the appropriate thread lines (thread collections). This gives you a head start in browsing for the best thread. For example:

  • Piecing: Fine, strong threads like Dream Seam and Perfection help seams lay flat and precise, whether you're chain piecing or stitching together a quilt by numbers.
  • Bold Machine Quilting: Threads like Majestic, QuiltMaker, or Variations give you high visibility with color movement and texture.
  • Subtle Machine Quilting: Try Perfection for low-lint, even stitches that let your quilt design shine.
  • Hand Quilting: Our glazed cotton thread glides through fabric layers with minimal drag and beautiful tension.
  • Appliqué and Detail Work: For nearly invisible stitching, nothing beats Silk #100 or Invisible Thread.

These recommendations come from testing, education, and feedback from thousands of real-world quilters just like you.

The Right Thread Isn't Just About Looks

When you use the right thread, your machine runs smoother, your seams stay crisp, and your final project looks and feels polished. The opposite—using a bulky or linty thread in the wrong application—can lead to skipped stitches, tension problems, and extra cleaning time. Nobody wants that. By understanding the strengths of each YLI Threads line, you can spend more time creating and less time troubleshooting.

We encourage you to print the guide, pin it next to your thread stash, or bring it to your next guild meeting. It's also perfect for helping newer quilters choose the right thread without overwhelm. You can download it directly from our site and revisit it anytime. Consider it your "cheat sheet" for getting the most out of your thread collection and your creativity.

Table of thread recommendations for various sewing techniques on a white background

 

The right thread does more than hold fabric together. It elevates your stitches, supports your design choices, and brings your vision to life. We hope this new guide makes your next project even more joyful and stress-free. Whether you're piecing your 100th quilt or just getting back into sewing after a break, we're here to help you find the thread that works for you.

You'll Love It.

About the Author

portrait of Bob Purcell
Bob Purcell

Bob Purcell has been in the sewing and quilting industries for 27 years. He and his wife, Heather, started and built one of the most successful specialized thread companies in the world. They sold that company in 2016, with the intent of enjoying life with family and grandchildren. Sadly, Heather passed away from cancer a few years later. In 2023, Bob bought Y.L.I. Threads, a company with a 45-year history in the quilting, embroidery, and sewing world, and Bob is once again doing what he loves -- educating the quilters and sewists and supplying the world's finest threads and related products.

12 articles by this author

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?).

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