UPDATED: OCTOBER 2, 2024
All about threads
The Majestic World of Quilting Threads
Quilting is more than just a hobby; it's a labor of love, a way to infuse memories and affection into every stitch. High-quality threads are one of the core ingredients of quilts, making them feel like a warm hug on a brisk autumn evening. Choosing to start with these high-quality quilting threads elevates your quilt from an idea to something handcrafted with care.
Start with high-quality threads
So, what makes high-quality threads the VIP of the quilting world? Well, there’s a lot that goes into high-quality threads. This article isn’t an exhaustive list of attributes and traits that, when combined into a mixing bowl, produce the perfect thread; instead, consider this to be your reference guide to help lead you down the path of thread knowledge to better understand what differentiates a high-quality thread from a random spool from your Grandmother’s thread stash.
Picture this: when it comes to cotton threads, extra-long staple cotton threads are the luxury limousine of fibers, offering a ride so smooth and sleek it turns every quilting session into a joyride. Each fiber, long and lovingly spun, creates a thread that’s less a thread and more a strand of strength. This is the [insert the name of your favorite singer here] of threads – strong, graceful, and fabulous, capable of handling even the most complex quilting choreography without a snag.
These cotton threads are also mercerized, a process akin to sending your threads to a spa, where they undergo a transformation to become glossy (having slight luster or sheen), color-rich divas of durability. Mercerization is like that anti-aging cream we all swear by – it helps the thread resist fading and fraying, keeping your quilt’s beauty timeless. On the flip side, low-quality threads are the penny pinchers that end up costing you more, like a cheap pair of pantyhose that runs before you've even stepped out the door.
Thankfully, most thread companies mercerize their cotton threads. This is steadily becoming an industry standard thanks to the demand for stronger cotton threads that withstand longarm quilting machines' tight tension and high stitching speeds. Polyester, nylon, silk, and threads made from other fibers do not undergo a mercerization process.
All high-quality cotton quilting threads will be gassed and mercerized.
The durability of high-quality threads means fewer thread breaks. Say goodbye to the frustration of re-threading your needle multiple times in one quilting session – it's as annoying as finding a sock without its match after laundry day.
Gassing, despite its peculiar name, is a crucial finishing step for high-quality cotton threads, sometimes referred to as having a silk finish or silk-finished cotton thread. This process involves burning off excess lint and fibers to achieve a smoother and more lustrous appearance by rapidly passing the thread through the tip of a flame or heated chamber, gassing singes away tiny fuzz and loose strands without harming the thread itself.
The benefits of gassing are significant: it not only enhances the thread's aesthetic by giving it a cleaner, more polished look but also reduces lint that can clog both sewing and longarm machines, potentially disrupting stitch quality. For quilters and sewists, opting for gassed cotton threads means enjoying fewer maintenance stops and experiencing smoother stitching.
Colorfastness is another feather in the cap of high-quality threads. They hold onto their color like a cherished secret family recipe, washing after washing. Imagine the disappointment when a cheap thread fades faster than a summer tan, dulling the vibrancy of your work. Or even worse, if you have ever experienced color leaching from the thread onto fabric 🤦♀️. High-quality threads maintain the color integrity of your quilts, ensuring they remain as vivid as the day you sewed the last stitch.
Let's talk about appearance. High-quality threads are consistent and even in thickness throughout, giving your stitches the evenness of a professionally iced cake. Your quilt will lie flat and even, with none of the puckering or lumpy lines that low-quality threads can cause. Low-quality threads can have visible knots throughout or, even worse, slubs. A slub is a thick glob or an uneven bit of fiber in the thread. Knots and slubs will get caught at the eye of the needle, increasing stress and friction, usually resulting in thread breaks and excess lint.
A blue, floral quilt pattern quilted with Perfection polyester thread in a feather motif.
Majestic is a beautiful quilting thread made from extra-long staples and Egyptian-grown cotton. It is mercerized and gassed.
In the grand theater of quilting, high-quality threads are your lead actors, delivering a performance that commands a standing ovation. They're the secret to quilts that look like a showpiece art quilt hanging in a museum. And far more commonly, it’s the thread that keeps a newborn baby’s quilt together, providing comfort and warmth. Quilts are made to be shared; let’s be honest, they represent so much more than threads and fabrics. High-quality threads are like the best chocolate – a little more expensive, but oh, so worth it when you savor the result.
This is why we encourage all quilters, beginners, and professionals to select high-quality threads – the experiences and the outcomes are simply better. It's a small luxury that pays off in significant ways, from the pleasure of quilting to the longevity and beauty of your finished quilt. So, treat your quilts to the best; after all, they're not just blankets. They are heirlooms, treasures, and hugs made tangible. And remember, if you feel like you're in over your head, there's no shame in calling in reinforcements. Whether it's a quilting class or a local quilt guild, the journey is all part of the fun. Keep stitching with joy, for every thread tells a story, and yours deserves to be told most beautifully.
Conclusion
Quilting is more than just a pastime; it is a profound way to infuse memories into something tangible. High-quality threads are crucial, acting as the backbone of your quilt to provide comfort and warmth, like an embrace on a chilly evening or displayed as a work of art. High-quality threads, such as luxuriously smooth extra-long staple cotton that undergo mercerization and gassing to enhance their luster, color richness, and longevity, make them crucial to your finished quilt. These threads reduce frustrations like frequent thread breaks, shredding, and color fading, ensuring every quilt you make is a joyful experience. Opting for high-quality threads means investing in the quality and beauty of your quilts, transforming them from a mere patchwork of cotton fabric sandwiched between batting into cherished heirlooms that hug back long after they're gifted.
Happy quilting!
education article by bob purcell
published on september 3, 2024
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