Hand quilting with embroidery floss?

[Anabeth D.]

Have you ever hand-quilted with embroidery floss?

A friend suggested that I quilt my Janet Stone BOM quilt with 2 strands of floss, since I can get a better selection of colors with floss than quilting thread. This is a big bed quilt that will be used, washed, and loved. I'm wondering how the floss will last compared with quilting thread..

Any tips?

Thanks -- Anabeth

[Anabeth D.]

Embroidery floss is a softly twisted thread, compared to hand quilting threads (from what I have seen) and I don't think would take wear as well. If you were to go ahead with using it I would recommend that you wax the thread first. To do this cut your lengths, strip the floss into single threads and then pair up. Run the two threads through your wax and then iron them between some scrap fabric to melt the wax into the thread - it will slightly change the colour, but you should then be good to sew.

The old advice of 'if unsure, do a practice piece first' comes to mind.

[E.M. T.]

Not a very good choice.....soft as Rosemary said and I'm sure you will find it frays easily as you quilt thru the layers....not
to mention wear- abilty ! :angry: Could work for a wall quilt or other purely decorative piece.