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

We've been supporting quilters and sewists for 47 years! Learn about our history.

Discover the Perfect Cotton Thread for Every Quilting Project

Frustrated by linty, fraying threads? Our premium cotton threads create even, balanced stitches.

Cotton threads have long been cherished by quilters and sewists for its natural softness, subtle sheen, and strength. The journey from seed to finished thread begins in a field. Cotton plants typically take about five to six months to grow from seed to harvest, with each plant producing fluffy white cotton bolls. These bolls, roughly the size of a small walnut or a large grape, contain up to several hundred thousand tiny fibers. In the textile industry, these fibers are known as staples and form the foundation of the threads we rely on to bring our quilting and sewing dreams to life.

Transforming tiny cotton fibers into strong, smooth threads requires care and skill. After harvesting, the fibers are cleaned and baled (did you know that a bale of cotton weighs nearly 500 pounds?), spun into yarn, twisted, dyed, and finished. The result is a thread that feels both soft and strong. Cotton threads are valued for their natural appearance and texture and are a favorite among many quilters and sewists.

Cotton threads are used for a variety of applications and techniques, including piecing, hand quilting, machine quilting, topstitching, as a bobbin thread, and more!

Which Cotton Thread Should You Use?

You may wish to choose different cotton threads depending on your application or preferred technique. For example, a variegated 40 wt. thread would not be your first choice as a piecing thread because it will be visible and thicker than standard piecing thread, causing bulk at the seams. Similarly, you would not want to use a finer, 50 or 60 wt. thread for machine quilting if you aim to create a design where the thread is meant to be bold and attract attention.

Each quilt or sewn project offers an opportunity to express your creativity, and the best thread helps you do that beautifully. We’ve summarized our cotton threads below with descriptions, weights, recommended uses, and techniques to help you find the perfect match.

yli threads dream seam cotton threads on quilt pieced with color 301

Dream Seam

50 wt. 3-ply, for Piecing, Quilting, Bobbin, and Sewing

For piecing, our 50 wt. Dream Seam thread is a go-to favorite. Like its namesake, piecing with it is like a dream come true. It is made from 100% Egyptian-grown extra-long staple cotton that undergoes a uniquely tight primary and secondary twist. This makes it fine enough for flawless piecing, allowing it to lie perfectly between layers of fabric. Surprisingly strong for its fine diameter, Dream Seam is also an excellent quilting and sewing thread, easily handling the tension of longarm machines while maintaining balanced stitches. Dream Seam is designed to blend into the fabric, making it easier to press your quilt blocks for clean and precise points. Available on 2,000 yd cones, 600 yd spools, Class 15 and L style prewound bobbins in eighteen colors.

Shop Dream Seam 50 wt. Cotton Thread
majestic cotton quilting thread cones and spools

Majestic

40 wt. 3-ply, for Machine Quilting

For machine quilting on both home and longarm machines, our 40 wt. Majestic thread is genuinely exceptional. Made from 100% Egyptian-grown extra-long staple cotton, Majestic comes in forty-five variegated colors with a one-inch color change interval, as well as five of the most popular neutral hues that quilters love as solid options. Bold and ready to enhance any quilt with eye-catching motifs, filigree, feathers, or edge-to-edge designs, Majestic produces minimal lint as you finish a quilt. A subtle sheen helps the thread stand out without overpowering the design and pattern of the backing fabric. Majestic is one of our premium cotton quilting thread and is available in 2,000 yd cones and 600 yd spools across fifty colors.

Shop Majestic 40 wt. Cotton Thread
yli threads ecru hand quilting thread on hand quilted sampler

YLI's Hand Quilting Thread

40 wt., For Hand Quilting

If you appreciate the tranquility of hand quilting, our 40 wt. Hand Quilting Thread has been trusted by both occasional hand quilters and award-winning professionals for over two decades. It is made from 100% Egyptian-grown extra-long staple cotton and features an additional glaze coating that stiffens and significantly enhances its strength. This thin coating prevents our Hand Quilting Thread from fraying, knotting, and tangling. For hand quilters who enjoy stab stitching, you will adore this thread and wonder where it has been your whole life. Available in 500 yd spools and fifteen colors.
Please avoid using any glazed threads in your machine, as the glaze can rub off on your tension discs and clog the thread path, leading to unwanted issues.

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yli threads machine quilting thread spools 40 wt cotton quilting thread

Machine Quilting Thread (MQT)

40 wt. 3-ply, for Machine Quilting

MQT is our original 40 wt. variegated cotton quilting thread. Made from 100% Egyptian-grown extra-long staple cotton, MQT holds a special place in many quilters' thread stashes as a favorite among cotton quilting threads. A variable three-inch color change interval creates unique color sequences when stitched onto quilts. MQT is one of our legacy products that will be gradually phased out in favor of Majestic. For quilters who have enjoyed stitching with MQT, we encourage you to try Majestic for bold, vibrant machine quilting. It is available in 3,000 yd cones and 500 yd cones in thirty colors.

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yli threads soft touch 60 wt cotton piecing and quilting thread

Soft Touch

60 wt. 2-ply, for Piecing, Appliqué, and Bobbin

Soft Touch is a lightweight 60 wt. 2-ply cotton thread designed for quilters who prefer cotton as their fiber of choice for appliqué and piecing. Made from 100% Egyptian-grown extra-long staple cotton, Soft Touch excels in detailed piecing and delicate appliqué, making it an excellent choice for bobbin thread. Its slim profile makes aligning points and achieving flat seams effortless. Soft Touch is one of our legacy products that will gradually be phased out in favor of Dream Seam. For quilters and sewists who have enjoyed using Soft Touch, we encourage you to try Dream Seam for flawless piecing. It is available in 6,000 yd cones, 1,000 yd mini cones, and 250 yd spools in twenty colors.

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yli threads fusions 24 wt cotton quilting thread

Fusions

24 wt. 3-ply, for Machine Quilting

Fusions is a heavy (thick), 24 wt. cotton thread designed for quilters and sewists who want their stitching to be decorative and visible. Made from 100% Egyptian-grown extra-long staple cotton, Fusions is a strong thread, making it an excellent choice for longarm quilting and decorative topstitching. As a heavier thread, each stitch stands out on quilt tops, garments, totes, aprons, and all sewing projects, adding a unique cotton texture and design. The variegated colors feature a one-inch color change interval, creating dynamic and bold patterns that capture attention. It is available in 1,500 yd cones and 350 yd spools in twenty colors.

Shop Fusions 24 wt. Cotton Thread
yli threads prewound bobbins 50 wt. cotton quilting thread

Cotton Prewound Bobbins

50 wt. 2-ply, for Piecing, Quilting, and Sewing

Our Dream Seam prewound bobbins are the ideal choice for piecing and quilting. Made from the same 50 wt. Egyptian-grown extra-long staple cotton thread found in Dream Seam cones and spools, but in a 2-ply format to reduce bulk and lint, these prewound bobbins produce consistent stitches from start to finish. They are available in the two most popular bobbin sizes for home machines—Class 15 and L style—minimizing the need to stop and rewind bobbins mid-project, keeping your rhythm and focus in tune. Additionally, our cotton prewound bobbins are wound with precision machinery, resulting in a tight, uniform wind that can hold up to 70% more thread than a self-wound bobbin. Dream Seam prewounds are offered in ten of our most popular neutral and primary colors.

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The Best Cotton Threads Are:

  • Mercerized

  • gas flame icon

    Gassed

  • 100% Egyptian-grown Cotton

  • extra-long staple cotton icon

    Extra-long Staple

  • strong arm icon

    Tightly Twisted

The Heirachy of Cotton Thread Quality

Not all cotton threads are created equal. The secret lies in the length of individual cotton staples. Longer staples result in threads that are smoother, stronger, and more durable. These qualities are what quilters and sewists rely on for enjoyable experiences and long-lasting quilts and sewn projects.

Cotton staples are classified into three lengths: short staple, long staple, and extra-long staple. Short staple fibers, measuring less than 1 1/8 inches, create threads that tend to produce more lint and break more easily. If a cotton thread does not explicitly state long staple or extra-long staple on its label or branded materials, you can assume it is a short staple cotton thread. Long staple fibers, which range from 1 1/8 to 1 1/4 inches, offer a smoother, stronger thread that produces less lint than short staple threads. For those seeking the ultimate performance and minimal lint, extra-long staple cotton is the top choice. These fibers can measure up to 2 inches, creating threads that feel soft, can handle higher tension settings, and minimize lint buildup in your machine.

Egyptian-grown cotton is considered the finest in the world for good reason. It is renowned for its premium extra-long staple cotton crop and exceptional fiber uniformity. The warm climate and nutrient-rich soil of the Nile Delta create ideal growing conditions that produce cotton with outstanding strength and softness.

In the latest global cotton report, Egypt accounted for only 0.27% of the world’s cotton production. Not 27%, zero point two seven percent. Of this small share, just 12% qualifies as extra-long staple cotton. This tiny fraction represents some of the highest quality cotton available. Extra-long staple cotton features longer, more uniform fibers that create threads with a silky feel, exceptional durability, and significantly less lint. These qualities enable stitches to blend beautifully into fabrics and prevent lint from accumulating in your home or longarm machine. For quilters, this means threads that stitch evenly through layers without breaking, making your creative experience that much more delightful.

Customer Testimonials

I highly recommend Dream Seam. It's smooth, strong and doesn't leave me cleaning up lint after sewing a few seams.The selection of neutral tones is wonderful too. Thanks YLI I am back to happy sewing.

white spool of dream seam cotton thread on home sewing machine

Suzanne H

Verified Customer

I love Majestic's variegated colors!

Sandra G.

Verified Customer

I love your hand quilting thread above all others. It doesn’t tangle easily.

Denise S.

Verified Customer

Cotton Threads - Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between short, long, and extra-long staple cotton?

Cotton staple length refers to the length of each individual fiber. The longer the fiber, the smoother and stronger the thread.

  • Short staple cotton: Less than 1 1/8" long. It produces more lint and weaker threads due to its short length, requiring many more fibers to be twisted along a given thread strand.
  • Long staple cotton: 1 1/8" to 1 1/4" long. It is of better quality than short staple cotton, but it still sheds more lint and is not as strong as extra-long staples.
  • Extra-long staple cotton: Up to 2" long. It is the highest quality cotton, producing strong, smooth, and low-lint thread.

YLI Threads uses only extra-long staple cotton in our cotton threads. This is how we achieve a soft-to-the-touch thread strong enough for high-tension and high-speed quilting. If a spool or cone of thread does not explicitly state "extra-long staple cotton", it is made from either short or long cotton fibers. Extra-long staples are worth bragging about and including on labels.

What makes 100% Egyptian-grown cotton so good?

Egyptian-grown cotton is considered the finest in the world, especially for cotton threads, and for good reason.

  • It is grown in the Nile Delta's nutrient-rich soil and ideal climate.
  • It produces extra-long staples, which results in stronger, smoother, and softer threads.
  • Its slow-growing cycle naturally enhances fiber integrity and color retention.

We use 100% Egyptian-grown cotton in our Dream Seam, Majestic, and Hand Quilting threads. Not only can you take our word for it, but you can also ask many award-winning quilters who use it and recommend it in their show quilts.

Are YLI's cotton threads mercerized and gassed?

Yes, all our cotton threads, except for Hand Quilting Thread (which has a glazed coating), are mercerized and gassed. These finishing techniques enhance quality, appearance, and performance.

  • Mercerization refers to submerging cotton thread into a solution, causing the fibers to swell. This process improves dye absorption, strengthens the thread, and adds a nice, subtle sheen.
  • Gassing refers to removing surface fuzz and loose fibers that create lint by passing the thread above a gas flame, close enough to burn away excess fibers without damaging the thread. The result is a cleaner, smoother thread that performs better in machines.

You shouldn't spend time fighting with a lint monster growing in your bobbin case. This is why we mercerize and gas our cotton threads. We want to help make your quilting and sewing cleaner, smoother, and more enjoyable.

Why are some cotton threads more linty than others?

Some thread companies use short or long staple cotton fibers in their cotton threads. Shorter staples require more fiber ends to be twisted together to create the same thread length. Each of these connections creates a potential point of friction, which increases lint as the thread moves through your machine.

At YLI, we reduce lint at every stage of production:

  • We use only extra-long staple cotton fibers for smoother, cleaner thread.
  • We source 100% Egyptian-grown cotton for greater strength and uniformity.
  • We mercerize our cotton threads to enhance durability, improve dye absorption, and create a smooth texture.
  • We gas our cotton threads to remove excess fuzz and minimize lint.
  • We apply tight primary and secondary twists to boost strength and reduce fraying.

These steps work together to give you a premium thread that is strong, low lint, and uniform in color. Enjoy quilting and sewing instead of battling a poor-quality cotton thread.

Why do most quilters piece with a 50 wt. cotton thread?

Most quilters choose to piece their quilts with a 50 wt. cotton thread because it offers the perfect combination of strength and precision. A 50 wt. thread is:

  • Fine enough to keep seams flat without adding bulk.
  • Strong enough to hold fabric pieces securely, even when paper piecing.
  • Cotton has a high heat tolerance and can handle pressing from a hot iron.

Our Dream Seam is a 50 wt. 3-ply thread made from extra-long staple 100% Egyptian-grown cotton. It is specially designed to be your go-to piecing thread and is trusted by quilters.

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?).

Dream Seam

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