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Discover Wonder Invisible Thread - Nylon Monofilament

Invisible Thread · 3 min read · July 02, 2025 · By Bob Purcell

spools of wonder invisible thread and a package of topstitch needles on a quilt

What is Wonder Invisible Thread?

Wonder Invisible Thread is a monofilament thread—a single, non-twisted strand—designed specifically for quilting and sewing projects where the goal is to make the thread invisible. Unlike typical quilting threads that can draw attention to the stitches, this thread is extremely fine, even thinner than a 100 wt. thread, and features a matte finish that significantly reduces shine, allowing it to blend seamlessly into any fabric color or pattern. 

Its remarkable thinness and flexibility allow it to move naturally with the fabric without adding stiffness or bulk. This flexibility is crucial for quilts that will be handled often or need to drape smoothly. 

Quilters choose Wonder Invisible Thread because it blends seamlessly, allowing their creative focus to remain on the quilt design and fabric, rather than drawing attention to the thread color or decorative topstitching designs. 

The Secret to Nearly Invisible Stitching

When you want your quilting stitches to disappear and let your fabric design take center stage, YLI's Wonder Invisible Thread is your perfect solution. This specialized, extra-fine nylon monofilament thread has been trusted by quilters for decades.

Whether you're working on stitch-in-the-ditch quilting, edge-to-edge designs, or appliqué, this invisible thread blends so beautifully into your fabric so that your quilting lines are almost invisible, which is exactly what you want when the focus should be on your quilt's design rather than the stitching.

Essential Tips for Success

We recommend making a few adjustments to your machine to achieve optimal results with all monofilament threads. These small changes can make all the difference between frustrating outcomes and an enjoyable experience with results you'll be pleased with.

Setup Recommendations:

  • Tension Adjustment: Loosen the top tension on your machine to 1.0. A loose top tension is imperative to keep your thread from breaking or snapping as it passes through the tension discs
  • Needle Choice: Use a Topstitch #70/10 needle with its extra-large eye and deep groove to protect the thread
  • Spool Positioning: Wonder Invisible Thread spools are stack-wound; use your machine's vertical spool pin so the thread unwinds from the side
  • Test First: We recommend a quick test on scrap fabrics to make sure the tension and stitch settings are correct before starting your appliqué or topstitching

Perfect Applications

Wonder Invisible Thread excels at specific quilting techniques where you want the stitching to disappear. Stitch-in-the-ditch quilting becomes effortless when you don't have to worry about matching thread colors to your fabric. The invisible thread follows your seam lines without drawing attention to itself.

For appliqué work, Wonder Invisible Thread is essential. It allows you to secure appliqué pieces confidently, knowing that your stitching won't compete with the design or leave visible stitch lines that distract from your finished quilt.

Many quilters also use monofilament threads for free-motion quilting when they want the pattern of their pieced quilt blocks or fabric to be more prominent than decorative, topstitching. This technique allows the fabric's natural beauty to shine while still providing the structural benefits of quilting.

Why Quilters Choose Wonder Invisible

Using an invisible monofilament thread, such as Wonder Invisible, provides quilters with the freedom to focus on the quilt as a whole. Instead of spending time and energy trying to match multiple thread colors to complex fabric patterns or multicolored designs, you can use one thread across multiple fabrics and focus entirely on your quilting technique. This is incredibly helpful for edge-to-edge quilting designs.

YLI's Wonder Invisible Nylon Thread

Our extra-fine nylon monofilament thread is specifically designed for quilting applications where you want nearly invisible stitches. Perfect for stitch-in-the-ditch, appliqué, and free-motion quilting.

Loosen your machine's top tension to 1.0 and pair with a Topstitch #70/10 needle for optimal results.

Shop Wonder Invisible Thread
Wonder Invisible Nylon Thread spool on a sewing machine

About the Author

portrait of Bob Purcell
Bob Purcell

Bob Purcell has been in the sewing and quilting industries for 26 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.

8 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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