Patchwork Times by Judy Laquidara logo

Thread Questions

Over the next few days, I’m going to ask you some questions about thread.  I’ve pretty much stuck with the same threads for a long time but I know there are a lot more threads out there than what I use.  Quite a few different ones came with the new Millenium and I will try them all out eventually and see what I think.

I’m not going to do this in a poll fashion because I want you to leave comments and tell me why you like it and why you use it.  If you use the least expensive thread you can find and it works for you, I want to hear about it.

The question for today  is:  What is your favorite thread for machine piecing?  Why do you like it?  Have you used it forever?  Is there another piecing thread that is a close second?  Is there another piecing thread you would like to try but just haven’t?

In the next few days, I’m going to ask about machine quilting thread and hand quilting thread but for today, let’s just stick with machine piecing thread, ok?

Thank you!

 

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. I like to use aurifil thread for piecing. It lasts longer in the bobbin and makes a flatter seam with less loss to the fold. I’ll use what ever I have in the right color if I don’t have the color in aurifil but am happiest with my work with the aurifil

  2. My favorite thread that I use for piecing and machine quilting (domestic) is from Connecting Threads.com . They have every color imaginable and the price is very good. It doesn’t break. It does what it is supposed to do. Very pleased. That saying I have a bunch of thread bought years earlier I’m trying to use up…not as thrilled, various brands.

  4. I also use the thread from Connecting Threads and have for a couple of years. It doesn’t leave a lot of lint in the bobbin area like some threads, doesn’t break,, and when I have to un-sew, I realize how strong it is. I usually buy the cones, mostly white or neutral shades. The prices are good and a big color selection. I’m quite happy with it.

  6. I use Masterpiece for piecing. I can purchase pre wound bobbins with it, which makes it easier than having to stop and wind a bobbin, usually at the most inconvenient time. I know I could sit and wind a whole pile at once, but never seem to do it. The thread is a finer weight, 50 I believe, so It takes up less space in the seam. I don’t have cotton vs. polyester opinions and have been known to use either, but the Masterpiece is 100% cotton. It comes in cones or on spools. It does have all kinds of colours, but I tend to stick with either a beige or a light grey for just about everything.

  7. I’m a Connecting Threads user too for both piecing and machine quilting. I really like Americana thread for hand quilting. Nice and strong, and doesn’t tangle easily.

  8. I haven’t got into much quilting yet but I have found Gutermann thread (from Germany) – 100% polyester, to be a good one. I think it is important not to skimp on the cost of thread. My granny (who died in 1992) made me a lovely quilt using cheap – 3 for a $1.00 thread. Now big parts of the handquilted masterpiece are coming apart because she was a little too thrifty. It’s sad and I’m not sure how to fix it. So, if you want your creative work to last for years, put a bit more $$ into it and make it last for another generation.

  9. Aurifil 50 for machine piecing. Love it. Thin and strong, smooth, which also makes it perfect for handwork, such as my annual applique square for the community quilt. Lasts on the bobbin, produces little lint.

  10. I’m a Connecting Threads person (price and quality). I do have some from Superior. I like the Egyptian Cotton from Connecting Threads for both piecing, and machine quilting. Slim to none on the lint and it comes in so many colors. I buy the 1200 yd spools and also the cones. Not much into hand quilting any longer, but I do use the same thread for hand sewing my binding on. I do not buy prewound bobbins for either of my machines. I use the same thread in the top as the bottom. I have no problems with tension by doing this.

  11. Essentials from Connecting Threads. I started using it because it fit my budget, but since then I’ve compared it to some of the “better” threads and it’s still my favorite.

    I’ve got four kids and my quilts get washed a LOT. If I was going to have problems with the thread not lasting, I think we’d have noticed by now.

  12. Aurifil 50 for piecing…have used it for years.
    Little lint and very thin in the seam.
    Pretty colours.
    Down side is that it is expensive 🙁

  13. Coats and Clark Star…it’s what my budget allows. C&C has been around ‘forever’ and I have no concerns as to its quality., I’ve not had a problem using it, aside from lint so I just make sure I clean every time I change a bobbin. I’ve not used any other brand enough to know if they’re truly ‘better’. I recently received 4 spools of Aurifil but have not yet used them; it will be nice to compare.

    • Lee, I used to buy coats and clark until I realized that some of them were made in mexico and the thread broke a lot. when I discovered Connecting Threads, I also discovered that the same 1200 yd spool was half the price of the Coats and Clark 1200 yd spool that I bought from our local super center.

  14. I also use Aurifil (orange cone) for all my piecing. Low lint and it never ever breaks. I’ve used it for machine quilting too without any problems. It’s a thinner 50 wt thread so more yardage on the bobbin. I use a light or a dark gray for all my piecing as those colors blend with anything – even white – so I don’t spend a lot of $ buying a color thread to match every quilt. Just 2!

  16. I have enjoyed the comments on brand and why. I have used Coats and Clark forever. Seems to be dependable and good price. I would much rather buy fabric than thread.

  17. Aurifil…for all the reasons given by others.
    I have it in black, white, beige, dark and light gray.
    I don’t use colors for piecing.

  18. I use mostly Gutermann or Mettler because it is readily available to me. I have been wanting to try aurifil for a while now. I hope to pick some up at a quilt show later this month if there is a vendor available.

    • These are the two I use exclusively for piecing. I use a light grey color, just my preference. If something will appear on the top, I will find a thread to match. As my resources locally are limited, I will use Coats and Clark or if I drive for an hour I can get Guttermann at a Hancocks.

  19. Hi Judy,
    I like Masterpiece for piecing. I use either lt. grey or charcoal grey. My second choice is Aurifil because it’s only 2 ply. (Masterpeice is now 3 ply) For quilting, I use Essentials from Connecting Threads. I find it too thick for piecing-it knocks off my 1/4 inch- but it’s beautifil for quilting, and because it’s reasonably priced, I can use several colors on each quilt. I am now using metallics also. Suoperior brands with Bottom Line in the bobbin. It’s great!

  20. Superior Masterpiece for piecing.. Works well in every machine I have with no lint buildup. I buy the cones. I also have it in black, grey, and beige.

  21. aurilfil-light grey for everything. Not near the lint, get a lot on the bobbin. I wind about 20 bobbins at a time. Doesn’t break. Have been using it steadily for at least 6 years, maybe more.

  22. My favorite piecing thread is Aurifil…..strong, yet fine, very little lint.. In the bobbin it lasts a l-o-n-g time. Next fav would be Masterpiece….also fine and a large cone lasts forever when piecing. My least favorite would be Connecting Threads. The price is good, but it is thicker and linty. I have used it on the longarm….it is comparable to KING TUT in thickness and worked out OK, so I’ve moved it to the long arm sewing area….still, I won’t use it for bobbins.

  23. i’m gonna be the rebel. i use ‘whatever’. the bobbins for the longarm are the same bobbin as on my piecing machine. … a baby lock quilters professional. so, whenever a bobbin is left over from a quilt….it sits by the BL to be used up. i also use any thread that is low on the spool to piece. i don’t worry about color or brand or type. if it’s thread i use it. have not had a problem with any of it. …and i piece daily … quilts with regular fabrics, with selvages, with scraps. it all gets used up.

    • I do much the same, and I use a lot of polyester thread. So far haven’t had any problems

  24. I use Mettler, mostly because my local sewing store carries it. I’ve tried Gutterman but was disappointed.

  26. My LQS sells Mettler, so that’s what I’ve been using for about 6 years now. They do sell Aurafil, but I tried a spool and hated it. I had A LOT more lint in my bobbin case, on my needle, on my needle threader… it was terrible. I don’t know how anyone can use that thread. My friends that use Aurafil say that I must have had a “lemon” spool of thread, but since I’m happy with Mettler, I’m not going to take a chance again.

    I use either 40 or 50 weight Mettler for regular piecing, 30 weight for applique. The 50 weight has some lint, but not all that bad. The 40 weight doesn’t have much lint at all.

    I use Isacord 40 weight for embroidery.

    I’ve always wanted to try the Superior Threads brand. But it’s VERY expensive at the LQS. I think the piecing thread is Masterpiece.

  27. I know a lot of people use the expensive threads but I really do like the connecting threads Essentials. Also their egyption cotton threads. They often have 30% off sales and I stock up. What is even better, my expensive machine seems to really like using it. It sometimes has problem with thin threads.

    You have to keep the bobbin and machine areas clean because Essentials tends to have lint, but It is sturdy, tons of colors, and my machines like it.

  28. I use only Aurifil; I’ve tried all the others and Aurifil is definitely my favorite for all the reasons stated by others above.

  29. Mettler and Gutterman thread always. Between the two of them there is a thread for pretty much any reason you would ever need thread. Love them both. They have many colors as well. LOVE them.

  30. I love and use Masterpiece by Superior as well as Aurifil. I use white, lt. grey and a light tan the most. The quilt I am going to start cutting and piecing today will probably be black or lt grey.

  31. This is a fantastic question for your comments page, I appreciate the different opinions. I have used Connecting Threads product for several years, using beige most of the time. I have been looking at Superior threads thinking I might try it one day. Aurifil is a mystery to me and Gutterman and Metller, are, not in my opinion, worth the $. I clean my sewing machine often and always find lint with every brand.

  32. My thread of choice is definitely “aurifil” – hands down.
    It’s fine, far less thread lint and lays well on the fabric.

  33. I have been using the Aurifil for several years. I like it for all the reasons stated above–thin, strong, lots will fit on the bobbin. Other comments have me very interested in trying Connecting Threads. I know their prices are much better than the Aurifil.

  34. I use either Coats & Clark or Connecting Threads. The CT does produce lots of lint in my machine though, so it isn’t my first choice if I have the same color from C&C.

  35. I like Aurifil and Masterpiece for piecing, but I am really not that picky. I have also used and liked Robison-Anton (cotton) and coats and clark/mettler/gutterman and they all work fine too. Going forward, I will purchase Aurifil and Masterpiece but that won’t stop me from using what I have now.

  36. I mainly use 100% cotton Coats & Clark thread for piecing (for half off at JoAnn…). My machine also likes the Connecting thread 100% cotton one, but I don’t always buy enough to get free shipping… Any poly thread is an absolute tension headache or rather disaster and I only use it for the very occasional applique piece because of its sheen.

  37. I use the connecting threads essentials thread. It is reasonably priced, comes in lots of colors, my Janome loves it, and it is not linty (if that is a word).

  38. I use either YLI or Aurifil most of the time but will use whatever I have in the right color and have not found any that I will not use. I have not seen any difference in lint build up an any of the most popular brands–Aurfil included. I have heard lots about how Aurifil makes a more accurate seam allowance but I find that miniscule measurement is a non-issue. I can tell no difference in it and any other thread for bulk in the seam allowance. I do want to try Masterpiece as it is one I do not have.

  39. I started using Aurifil Mako 50, usually a neutral gray, more than a dozen years ago. It was before Superior started making MasterPiece. I have not purchased Aurifil in several years. I use what I have left, but tend to use more MasterPiece now.
    The 50 weight, finer thread does make the elusive quarter inch seam possible. Additionally, I hate little spools of thead.

  40. I have Gutermann, Mettler, Aurifil, and Coats and Clark. My machine, a Pfaff, seems to only work well using Coats and Clark. That’s fine with me. Lint with C and C hasn’t been any more than with other threads. I say enjoy what works for you and your individual machine. Thanks for this discussion post, it’s very informative.

  41. I love my masterpiece by superior… but have used Connecting Threads essentials.. and have had no problems..

  42. I use mostly Coats and Clark or Essentials from Connecting Threads, but the key thing for me is I don’t really like to use small spools. I like to wind a bunch of bobbins and sew, sew, sew without having to rethread the machine. I don’t mind dealing with a little lint as long as the thread is 100% cotton, and I tend to use the same threads for machine quilting.

  43. Aurifil! I finally tried it about 1.5 years ago and it has virtually no lint and it is very thin and the bobbin lasts a long time. It is strong but thin. It is a little pricey but I look at the yardage and there is a lot on that spool! I still have some other threads and use them if I need a certain color, but my go-to is Aurifil.

  44. I generally use R-A cotton, 50 wt for piecing and have never been disappointed with it. Also use it in the bobbin and buy in 3000 yd spools. Have used Aurifil Mako, but not impressed enough to spend the extra money to use it.

  45. I have been using aurifil 50 wt for about 8 years. I love that it is a little thinner but is still strong. I but it on the cones now and they last forever.

  47. I use 2 different threads to piece (at the same time) – Aurifil on the top and Superior MasterPiece in the bobbin. I’ve used Aurifil *forever* and I like the fact that it’s slightly thinner than most thread and is less lint-y. I match my thread to my fabric so the color assortment is important to me. I use Superior Masterpiece in the bobbin because I buy the pre-wounds. They don’t work in all machines – I have Pfaffs – but there’s more thread on the bobbin and the quality is similar to (if not better than) Aurifil.

  48. I’m also an Aurifil convert. I mainly use the light grey and tan for piecing, depending on the color of what I’m working on. I’ve found it has a lot less lint than other threads. Whenever I use another thread (particularly Gutermann), I’m always amazed at how much lint there is in comparison. It is pircy; however, there’s a lot of thread on the spool. It lasts for a long time. Although I use Aurifil for quilting as well, there are other threads I think do a great job in that area too.

  49. I also use Connecting Threads. I use it to hand and machine piece. I also use it to machine quilt. I have been
    using it since they have been selling it. I use Mettler for
    hand quilting.

  50. I know I’m committing a quilting sin, but I like Maxi Lock serger thread for piecing. It’s strong, it’s thin so it doesn’t bulk up the seams and since it’s thin a lot fits on the bobbin so I don’t have to change bobbins so often. I also use it with my quilting machine for the same reasons and because my machine, a Gammill Premier, likes it. Plus, it’s fairy inexpensive.Will a quilt made with it hold up for a hundred years. I won’t be around to find out so it really isn’t an issue for me.

  51. Connecting Threads for me also for piecing- I like to use the neutral color.

  52. I like both Masterpiece and Bottom Line by Superior Threads. I think I have much less lint with them and I like the finer threads for both piecing and quilting.

  53. I use Coats & Clark because it’s relatively inexpensive, readily available and comes in a bazillion colors. I have recently acquired a couple of spools of Masterpiece from Superior, which I plan to try soon.

  54. I like Aurifil for all the reasons stated, -thin, strong, lasts forever in the bobbin, but mainly because it’s cotton. I like to use steam when pressing and have the iron nice and hot, and I’ve seen poly thread actually melt. I once had a customer top that literally fell to pieces when I tried to load it because the thread had just melted away in places. She had used cheap $1 cone poly. So even though Keryn swears by Rasant (cotton wrapped poly core) for piecing I stick to all cotton. The Aurifil is nice on the longarm too, good for custom work where you don’t want a lot of thread build up.

  55. I generally use Masterpiece. I tried it a couple of years ago and fell in love with it. I’ve also used, and like, Auriful and Mettler Fine Embroidery thread (cotton).

  56. Aurfil 50 on the top and Superior 60 wt poly in the bobbin. Give a good tight thread, after all the idea is to keep the pieces together. The 60 wt poly leaves no lint and an almost invisible stitch. My alternative thread is Connecting Threads, but still with the superior in the bobbin.

  57. I also use Aurifil for all the reasons stated – thin, strong, low lint, beautiful colors, lots will wind on a bobbin. I also am still using up a lot of Superior Masterpiece that I have and still love it also. And I do still like the Masterpiece prewound bobbins. They work in most of my machines.

  58. I use Robinson Anton thread for piecing, get it in the 3000 yard spools so last a long time. I used it also in the bobbin. I used it for machine applique also. for that will also use Mettler 60 weight for buttonhole stitch when I don’t care if the thread dominates or not. If I really want the thread to show and be part of the “picture” then I’d use Sulky 30 weight.
    Hugs!!!!

  59. My go-to polyester thread is Aerofil by Madera (standard 50 wt, relatively lint-free). My cotton choice for piecing is Prescenia 100% mercerized Egyptian cotton, solid dyed and colorfast, 60wt (because it’s really thin, I get better quarter-inch seams, and my bobbins last a lot longer). My favorite online source for thread is Red Rock Threads (http://www.redrockthreads.com/). They have a great selection of most all the major quilting brands; they have reasonable shipping costs and I usually get my order in a couple days.

  60. I”m in the Aurifil camp. I love it – lasts longer and less lint.

  61. another Connecting Threads user here. I’ve used them since they first came out and have been very happy with their thread.

  62. I used to use Star by Coats but it is extremely linty and thicker than what I like now. I then switched to the 2-ply Masterpiece because it wasn’t linty and it was nice and thin. Since Superior has changed the Masterpiece and it is now 4-ply, I have switched to Aurifil. This thread is very think (50 wt) and not linty. There are not as many colors and my LQS only carries spools (I don’t know if Aurifil even makes cones), but I try to buy this thread when the store has it on sale. I really like using the thinner thread as my seams lay flatter. I love not having as much lint as I did with the Star thread. I have tried Connecting Threads Essential thread but that is also thicker than I now like and much lintier (is that a word?) than the Aurifil. I recently tried using So Fine on the top and Bottom Line in the bobbin, but these are both slippery threads and I found I had to go back and restitch many of the ends of my seams. So for now I’m sticking with Aurifil.

  63. I rejoined our local Guild two years ago after more than a decade break (for more reasons than I need to go into) and some of the ladies there introduced me to Aurifil threads. Where have you been all my life?? Machine stitching, hand applique, hand quilting…..they have a thread for everything and it is ALL wonderful. I’m never going back…..

  64. I think I have used every kind out there…. I have been useing So Soft by YLI for quite a few years. The company is based in SC, It is a 2 ply and take up very little space in your piecing. Not alot of virity in colors thou htey are working on it. I get large and small cones, grey, white, nutural, black. It does have lint, but not as much as Gutterman. I have started using MasterPiece by Superior and I like it a lot. It is a 3 ply but thin and not much lint. It comes in many colors and large cones. I have to order MasterPiece. I could get YlI localy. Any of the others I had to go to a bigger city or order. I am really liking MasterPiece for my piecing. I dont think there is any wrong her…. just what works best for you.

  65. I use Aurifil in silver and beige for piecing. I have several spools of Connecting Threads essentials but I get a ton of lint from it. I use C&C for sewing clothes though.

  66. I used to use the Mettler or Gutermann thread for piecing, but since I tried Connecting Threads I much prefer their thread. My machine really likes it and I don’t notice any more lint than before. I bought it in all different colors when it was on sale, so I always have something to match my projects. I did get some Aurifil at Christmastime but haven’t tried it out yet.

  67. Aurifil, and only Aurifil for this girl! It leaves much less lint, and is much finer than other threads of the supposed same weights. (for piecing, I use 50 wt) so my 1/4″ seam is much more accurate. love it!

  68. When I first started quilting, I used C&C. It’s what my mom had around. I did dabble a little bit with Gutermann, but never felt fond of it.

    After taking over somebody’s quilt-as-you-go log cabin quilt and seeing how the polyester thread cut through her backing fabric, I swore off of polyester threads. I ended up having to buy some backing to finish the quilt for her.

    That’s when I made the switch to Aurifil. I found a store closing out and purchases a couple dozen spools. I loved how much thread would wind up on a bobbin… but over time I realized that it was easy to pull out the seams. Especially when I accidentally snagged the tip of my iron in the fabric, it would just pop apart 1/8th to 1/4th of an inch at the ends of the piece.

    I moved onto Connecting Threads. No more seams pulling apart! But wow, it was quit a bit thicker than Aurifil and I had to compensate by sewing a more scant quarter-inch. I never trim my blocks. I also used the same thread for free-motioning, and certain spools would start going haywire with my machine. (Bernina 150 QE) It wasn’t a specific color, or a certain batch of spools… just random spools would start going all loopy on the back of my quilts. I’d yank off half of the spools, thinking the top layer was dusty or something, but no change. Maybe it was time to move on?

    Superior Threads had just started up it’s blog and had a $100 giveaway for their shop. Guess who won? 😉 So I used the money to buy several different products, including two cones. One King Tut and one Masterpiece. I fell madly in love with King Tut for quilting. I’ve been using Masterpiece since (2007?). I can’t say I love it, I can’t find fault with it either. It’s never given me an ounce of trouble. It’s not too thick. It doesn’t pull apart. I don’t get loopies on the back of my piecing. Yes, I’ll buy more when I run out. No, I’m not on the lookout for something else. I just never got a “wow!” feeling with it, but I might be a little jaded when it comes to thread. 😛

  69. Masterpiece by Superior. Very little lint and it sews beautiful. It is a 50 weight 100% cotton and does not take up much room in the seams. Lots of color, but I usually just keep a couple of neutrals for piecing.

    Judy

  70. I am now using Aurafil – thin, more accurate piecing, no lint. I did use Gutterman poly which I like very much too but more lint.

  72. I use Connecting Threads for piecing – I have 3 older machines that refuse to work with some of the other fancier/higher priced threads.

  73. I use Guterman thread – usually grey, but sometimes beige on most of my piecing. I will use black thread when piecing black with other dark colors. It’s interesting reading all of the comments and why they use the thread they do. Thanks for asking the question.

  74. Prescencia 50 weight is an excellent 3 ply thread for piecing. It is exceptionally fine, strong and helps to buy back the 1/4″ seam allowance. For use on my Millennium I get the most consistent results from Superior’s King Tut and Signature 100% cotton. I also use Perma Core if the color is right (the price is certainly right.) I have tried other lovely threads but in my experience is that every machine has its’ own “personality” and I have resorted to what my machines “like” and have to give up the threads they “dislike”.

  75. I use Connecting Threads and Mettler both and have no problems with either one.

  76. I’m in the aurfil and masterpiece camp…..love the fact that very little lint in the bobbincase!!

  77. Aurifil–absolutely the best for accuracy when there are many seams in a block. If it is a simple block, I’ll use Mettler–I have it in every color they make. I know you only asked about piecing for now, but I bought the Mettler before I knew about Aurifil, and I use it when I’m topstitching or quilting something and I need the perfect shade of thread.

  78. Masterpiece on top and bottom lines the bobbin from superior threads for piecing. Works very well in my Janome. Little lint.Second best for me is airfoil.

  79. I’ve used Star thread for years. It was recommended by Doreen Speckmann in a class I took with her years ago. I piece and quilt with it and I don’t consider it very linty. I clean my machine and change needles frequently no matter what thread I use.

  80. I used Aurifil for several years. Recently, I tried Masterpiece and like it very much! It seems finer and less linty than even Aurifil.
    I had a terrible experience with the thread that came with my machine. I won’t mention the type, but it came with a box of thread. It is the worst thread I ever used! I couldn’t believe that a manufacturer would give a new customer something that caused the machine to perform so badly.

  82. Connecting Threads with Bottom line in the bobbin. Also Marathon thread for thread painting and some piecing and applique. Bottom Line is my favorite for in the bobbin.

  83. Love this blog and everyone’s comments. I’m about five years into quilting, and find myself a thread snob. I’ve gotten burned with polyester early on…melting in the microwave (potato bag) and with the iron. I’ve used mettler and guetterman, but my LOVE is Aurifil. I only discovered it existed because of Primitive Gathering’s quilt blog, and once I used it, my blocks square up better! Silly…but I like to test all of my thread as dental floss…

  84. Wow, it sure was interesting to read the comments! I’ve used Mettler for years, and it’s the only brand that I use. I like how it doesn’t break and the lint is very minimal. But after reading all the love for Aurifil I’m wondering if I should try that out, too.

  85. I still use Mettler a lot, but I also use Aurifil 50. The price is more up front, but considering the sizes of the spools, there’s almost no difference at all. When I’m doing machine applique, I use Mettler 60 Embroidery cotton. I still like Coats cotton, but it is a little lintier.

  86. For piecing I mostly use Superior’s Masterpiece and Aurifil,. Both are equal to me, although I prefer Superior’s guarantee on all their products. I’ve had some breakage with the black Auriful that turned me off of theirs for a while, but I will use up what I have and replace it with masterpiece.. I occasionally use So Fine in bobbin and top for piecing and have no trouble with it. In the long arm, my baby likes King Tut, Signature, So Fine and some Connecting Threads. I use these interchangeably in both top and bobbins positions, depending on the look wanted.

  87. I use Aurifil 50 wt for all my piecing, it’s a very smooth, long staple Egyptian cotton that is very low on lint. Travels great through the path of of,the machine on both my juki and my Bernina. Fine enough for perfect seams, strong enough even for quilting Witt. I use this in the bobbin too. I buy it by the large cone in white, and medium size spools for other thread shades.

  88. I use Robison-Anton 50wt 100% cotton for ALL my machining. I love it.. Sadly it is rarely sold in Engl;and any more and I have to wait for trips to the USA to stock up!

  89. My favorite is Aurifil–but often I use whatever is leftover from quilting. My piecing machine is not fussy and I don’t think any of my quilts has had a “thread failure”.

  90. Connecting threads has two kinds of thread and I use both in different situations. Their Essentials Pro is a polyester. I use the Pro for piecing and for quilting when I don’t want the thread to show too much. The pro is great for bobbins because it is thinner so more can be wound on a bobbin…longer sewing times between bobbin changes. It also sheds very little lint so easier clean up in a hard to reach area. I have used it on kids quilts and tablecloths that get washed a lot whithout any problems.
    The Essentials cotton thread comes in 90 colors and is great for quilting when you want your thread to be the prefect color and stand out a bit since it is thicker than the Pro.
    HOWEVER, Essentials Pro is being phased out! I’ am with you Judy, and also looking forward to other opinions on good thread at a good price.

  91. I use Prescencia 60wt cotton for piecing — doesn’t bulk up the seams and doesn’t break as easily as Superior’s Masterpiece does. I have four large cones of it – white, cream, grey, and black. Buying the big cone from the wholesaler is cheaper than buying a bunch of small spools, and I’ve not bought a small spool of anything in many years.

  92. I use Robinson Anton 100% cotton 3000 yard spools in all five neutral shades. I use RA 100% cotton colors but they are no longer available so have replaced some colors with Aurafil which I like and recently Wonderfil which I also really like, They are thin, strong very low lint threads. Aurafil is not as conveniently available and wonderfil is sold at the local shop and slightly less expensive. Here in dry Colorado I gave up on Mettler and Gutterman several years ago because if I didn’t store them in the freezer they broke constantly and the lint was unbelievable.

  93. I’m a bit late with this comment but I like to use YLI Soft Touch for piecing as it is nice and fine and doesn’t lint. For machine quilting I either use YLI or Isacord. I also like Gutermann hand quilting thread and Gutermann Sulky for quilting. I tend to piece with Gutermann if the stitching is going to show as I like the range of colours and it is easily obtainable other wise I use either pale grey or ecru YLI. I’ haven’t tried Aurifil mainly because I don’t have a local stockist but most people seem to rave about it. Connecting Threads is not a possibility for me as I live in the UK.

  95. I’ve been out of pocket so I just read this post. I use Precensia thread as my 1st choice, but have been using up various threads in my drawer lately. I like the Essential thread pretty good. I used to like Masterpiece but have fallen out of love, can’t really say why. I would like to Aurifil if I could find any to buy. I thought I would order some if I can’t find it soon.

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