Free motion quilting thread

[wendy w.]

Quite often I see people say they use a finer thread in the bobbin when fmq. What's the logic? I've been using a thicker one because I thought it would pull the top thread down more.

Before you correct me I do see people say things in text, I think or I wouldn't hear them.

[Nancy R.]

I think there are several reasons for using a finer thread in the bobbin: you can fit more thread on the bobbin so you don't have to refill it so often, thinner thread are often cheaper so you can save some money, the finer thread is harder to see so it hides mistakes on the back, and probably some others I haven't thought of.

That said, I usually use the same thread in the top and the bobbin. I use bobbin winding time as a time to take a break and stretch my shoulders and I think that helps me quilt longer with no pain, so I don't mind winding bobbins more often. I've spent enough money on the rest of my quilt that skimping on some thread seems wrong to me. And I love having my quilting show on the back, even with all of the mistakes. So that's what works for me.....

[Jennifer D.]

A thinner thread will allow you to put more on the bobbin which equals more uninterrupted quilting time. There may be other more sophisticated reasons too, but this is my primary reason. It does seem like my stitches "sink" into my quilt back more with a thinner thread and my mistakes are less obvious too.

Hoping to learn something new from others on this *thread*

(sorry, couldn't resist the pun)

[wendy w.]

Thanks for the replies they make sense. I'd not thought of getting more thread on the bobbin and I certainly need to make the back look better.

I've caught the 'thread' of what you're saying Jdeluka

[ANNE E.]

AARRRRGGGGHHHHH! :angry: Don't talk to me about thread.
I'm trying to FMQ my Christmas houses using Gutterman gold thread it has a rough feel and my machine just does not like it.
I've changed the tension used all different size and style of needle, so I have decided to just use rayon type thread ....it won't give so much bling but at least I will ...."hopefully".... get the quilt finished by Christmas 2015. :unsure:
Happy sewing
Anne

[wendy w.]

Oh heck Anne, metallics can be tricky. Can you treat yourself at the show next weekend

[ANNE E.]

Wendy, I'll tell my husband that I have your permission to treat myself :woohoo:
Thanks
Anne

[wendy w.]

And tell him I said it's ok for him to give you his credit card :woohoo:

[Lorna B.]

Show? What show?

I like So Fine for FMQ. I use same thread in bobbin or bottom line. I adjust the top thread going down by skis ting the tensions.

[wendy w.]

Ardingly Lorna https://www.grosvenorshows.co.uk/html/Spring_Ardingly.html

[Sherry B.]

I use So Fine for piecing too. I like it because it doesn't leave lint in my machine. I love Superior Threads metallics and I use a coordinating color of Bottomline in my bobbin. I also use Bottomline in my bobbin when I use Superior's Rainbows threads.

[ANNE E.]

I'm hoping to go this Friday....weather permitting. It's only a small show but I need a quilty fix.
It seems here in the UK quilt shows are getting smaller and smaller.....less traders and fabric shops closing down.
My local shop closes in July 2015. It's because fabric is so expensive in UK and we can buy online much cheaper, of course you don't get to stroke the fabric and see the real colours.
Wendy I had better take cash otherwise I might go mad and buy stuff I don't need and I'm sure none of us do that !!! Do we?? Anne
Anne

[Beverly C.]

Oh, I never have . . . . . :lol: :silly: :silly:

[Rita C.]

Anne, are you using a metallic needle with the metallic thread? Also, you might want to reduce your tension to about 1 and slow down your machine so you can't go too fast. I find those things make a big difference to me when I use metallic thread.

Oh, just thought of a couple more things - if it's Gutterman thread then it's probably on a spool rather than a cone? Can you put the cone upright on your machine? That might help. Also, putting a cotton sock on it if you are using a cone on a cone threader would really help too.

Enjoy the show and don't spend it all in the one shop.

Wendy, I usually use a thin almost invisible thread on the back so that my stitching won't be so obvious. I think Bottom Line is great because it's really strong and doesn't stand out too much.

[wendy w.]

Cheers Rita.

I experimented with different threads yesterday and using finer thread did mess up the tension but sorted with a bit of fiddling. But soo much better on the back. My fine thread is precious to me so I'm off to look at bottom line.

Anne want and need are interchangeable :cheer: