Hand Quilting Thread

There is no rule stating you must use cotton thread with cotton fabric. However, many hand quilters choose to use cotton thread because cotton threads and fabrics shrink and wear together, and quilts can age evenly without puckers or pulls. Cotton has a natural matte finish, adding a subtle texture to your quilt without a distracting sheen or reflection when stitched. As a bonus, the extra-long staple cotton fibers in YLI’s hand quilting thread result in a smooth, strong thread with minimal lint. The result is consistent tension and a quilt that feels as soft and comfortable as it looks

A very thin wax coating, usually referred to as glaze (you may see a thread labeled as 'glazed cotton'), is applied to the thread during finishing as a barrier against friction, a strength enhancer, and a lint reducer. This coating enables the thread to glide effortlessly through multiple layers of fabric and batting, preventing knotting or tangling. Please keep in mind that the same coating that makes hand quilting a joy can clog your machine, so glazed hand quilting thread should only be used for handwork.

We recommend using a 40 wt. thread. Our Hand Quilting Thread is a 40 wt. thread, providing the perfect balance of visibility and finesse. It is substantial enough to highlight your quilting design yet fine enough to blend into the fabric when you want a subtle texture. Hand quilters love 40 wt. threads because they work well, even with small needles for precise stitching, while resisting fraying from repeated pulls.

This mainly comes down to personal preference. Most hand quilters agree that a length of eighteen inches is long enough to find your stitching rhythm, yet short enough to glide through the quilt sandwich without excess friction or knots. Cutting your thread into roughly eighteen- to twenty-four-inch sections ensures every pull is smooth and even, allowing you to focus on the flow of each stitch rather than stopping to untangle or conceal frayed ends. If you don't cut your thread into manageable lengths, you'll find it twisting and springing on itself, making it more difficult to stitch evenly.

Similar to the question about optimal thread length, personal preference outweighs recommendations from strangers. However, most quilters will say the gold standard is the Betweens/Quilting needle in sizes eight or ten. Their short shaft and small eye cradle 40 wt. thread perfectly, letting you feel every layer of fabric and batting as you stitch. Size eight offers a bit more substance for visible stitches, while size ten can slip through tighter curves with graceful precision. Like most quilters, we recommend you try different needle styles and sizes to find the best fit for your project or preferred technique.