Thread Weight For Free Motion Quilting

Thread weight is only one of many factors to consider when selecting a machine quilting thread.

Thread weight for free motion quilting.

Once you are confident with your free motion quilting the sky s the limit as far as thread is concerned. It is terrific for heirloom quilting. A 40 weight thread is a popular choice for quilting while 30 weight threads are more visible. Thicker thread weights like 30 40 make the quilting stitches stand out more.

You can use a thicker fancy thread on top and a 50 60 basic thread in the bobbin. It saves money and some people say it helps them quilt more smoothly. It is adapted from the aurifil product guide. One of my favorite choices is invisafil thread by wonderfil.

So a 50 2 cotton thread would be 50 weight 2 ply thread that is thin and strong. For free motion quilting pebbles i love using a fine 100 weight super strong polyester thread that matches the fabric on the top of my quilt. Our thread weight use chart lists over forty kinds of sewing projects and aurifil s product recommendations. One of the most common topics my students want to know more about is needles and thread especially for free motion quilting so let s take a deeper look at those here.

Fmq is different than piecing we re moving our fabric in all directions there are more layers and the needle is often clipping along at quite a pace for all that moving. The second number indicates thread ply. Lighter 50 weight threads usually blend into the fabric. Occasionally you will see thread weight that looks like a fraction and is labeled 50 2 or 40 3.

I m in love with the look of the 100 wt 100 silk thread from yli. The second thing you need to know is the thread weight numbers aren t always clearly stated.