Need Help: Thread Selection for a Local Business

[Betty J.]

HI there, I have been asked by a local fabric shop to provide a list of the threads I would like to see them carry. I am very familiar with Superior Threads and I will surely include a list of the types I would like to see them carry from those. But they are also interested in carrying Aurifil and perhaps some other varieties. I am not as familiar with Aurifil. If you were asked to provided suggestions for a store that wanted to attract more quilters, what would you suggest (fiber content, weight, brand, six colors)...Please help me with this. I have to get back to them soon. Thanks.

[Jennifer D.]

Aurifil is my go-to quilting/piecing thread. The 50 weight is good for both jobs. 12 is good for decorative quilting but little else (at least for me). I've never tried 40 weight - not sure if I'd like it or not. I WISH my local quilt shop carried it - but they prefer to carry embroidery thread rather than cotton at this time. I would recommend some basic/neutral colors - white, black, grey, cream - those that can be used for piecing and blending where specific color match is not a necessity. Best of luck!

[Betty J.]

Thanks!

[Betty J.]

Here's the link to my blog that I wrote with the results from my survey, and includes what I suggested to them.
http://www.blog.bjfabricartist.com/2016/01/threads-for-your-stash/

[Geneva C.]

Betty Jo,

Thanks for your excellent blog post. It is very helpful.

Geneva

[Betty J.]

You're welcome.

[Betty J.]

Betty Jo - I agree with Geneva excellent blog post re thread selection. I'm mostly a Superior Threads girl. I usually buy my thread and needles directly from them at the Superior Thread booth at Road 2 CA quilt show.
Barb

[Betty J.]

Thanks Barb. I'm mostly a Superior Threads gal too. G Street is a fairly long ways from me.. about 50 minutes over heavily traveled eight lane highways and so on...so it's not really "local", but it's as local as I have now. But I want to see them succeed in their revamping of the store, especially since my Bernina dealer is there. I will still probably buy my threads mostly direct from them online, but it would help them to carry some really good threads.

[Barbara B.]

Betty Jo, your blog list is great, very informative. For hand quilting, my all time favorite thread is YLI Glazed cotton thread, easy to thread in a very small needle, holds up well and makes a beautiful stitch.

[Barbara B.]

Barbara - thanks for the tip re YLI thread for hand quilting!

Barb :-)

[Betty J.]

That's a great tip. Fortunately, they carry this thread already.