About Quilting With Regular Thread
You can quilt with regular thread. I often use a fine, strong two-ply 50 or 60 weight thread for piecing.
I find that it allows me to sew true quarter inch seams.
50 weight thread works, but you can sometimes see your stitches so use the 60 weight, or even bigger 80 or 100 weight thread, when possible.
Typical maxi-lock all-purpose thread weight
Thread weight is a measurement of length and the lower the number the heavier the thread.
Typical maxi-lock thread is 40 weight, meaning that 40 kilometers of 40 weight thread would weigh 1 kg.
A 30 weight thread would be heavier and only require 30 kilometers to weight the same.
40 weight maxi-lock thread works best with a 90/14 size needle.
The meaning of thread ‘Tex’
Thread Tex refers to its weight. Tex is a measurement system that uses 1,000 meters of thread per gram as the starting point. If 1,000 meters of thread weighs one gram, it is labeled ‘Tex 1’.
If it weighed 5 grams, it would be labeled Tex 5. Fine (light) threads thus have a low Tex number, and thick (heavy) threads have a higher Tex number.
Serger thread doesn’t need to match
Serger sewing thread doesn’t need to match every color in your fabric. You will most often get eye pleasing results when matching only one color.
Alternatively, you can use a base color from the same range of colors that matches none of them exactly.
Tip: Focus on lighter colors when no match is available because stronger colors draw the eye to them.
The best starter sewing thread (most commonly used)
In speaking with other seamstress, I find that 50 weight polyester cotton blend thread is the most commonly used thread, for most project types.
It is suitable for use with a wide range of fabrics, including stretch.
With experience preferences change, but for starting out you can’t go wrong with a good polyester cotton blend thread.
Overlock sewing thread (info and benefits)
Overlocking thread is a fine, smooth and relatively strong sewing thread designed to be used for sewing at high speeds. It can be used on the overlocker needle or looper, it’s interchangeable.
All-purpose overlock thread is most widely available for 250 m and 1000 m bobbins as well as 7500 m thread cones.
How to choose the right thread for sewing
Thread is available in many weights and sizes. Matching thread thickness with fabric thickness and weight generally gives good results.
Typically, thick thread is stronger and more visible than fine thread, so determine how much seam stress your sewing project will be subjected to and choose thread thickness accordingly.
Sewing vs embroidery thread
Embroidery thread is more decorative in appearance when compared with regular sewing thread.
Embroidering thread is typically shinier, with more vibrant colors, and is available in more textures than sewing thread.
As a result, regular sewing thread is generally stronger and more durable than embroidery specific thread, whether it’s cotton or polyester.
Cone thread, use on your sewing machine
Cone thread as it’s most often referred to is just regular sewing thread on a larger spool.
You can use ‘cone thread’ on your home sewing machine, though it’s likely you will first need to add an attachment to make it work properly.
Cones of thread are larger than regular spools of thread and may not fit on your standard spool holder.
Regular sewing thread works in a serger (but)
You can use normal thread in a serger machine, but it’s more expensive and will run out more quickly.
Using overlock thread on a regular machine, however, is not recommended because it isn’t strong enough for most sewing applications.
