Quilting Thread

I have been reading concerns by quilters how to store and protect thread.    I purchased 3 items.   2 June Taylors'  5" spool holders & 1 garment storage bag from WalMart for storing sweaters under the bed or on shelves.(.99)     I attached the garment bag lengthwise across on the wall.  Then nailed  the spool holders inside the storage bag.    I can see each spool and  zip out the dust

Jan J

After tiring of crawling around the floor looking for stray threads and finding bits of thread on my clothing, I purchased an adhesive lint roller.  Now I roll it around my sewing area, run it across my ironing board and do a once over on my clothing.  It even works great for picking out the itty bitty threads left behind after the seam ripper has done its job. I have even picked up a pin or two with it.

I  have found that when I am hand sewing a quilt, to keep the spool of thread in one place, I place it in a votive candle holder.  The holder is the right size to hold a spool of thread.  That way I am able to pull the thread over the edge and only need to pull on it to the correct length for any hand sewing.  It also holds my small scissors or nippers so that they are close to hand when I need them

If you find a spool of thread and aren't sure how old it is, don't start threading it into your sewing machine right away. The thread can very well be dry-rotted and it would be a shame to get halfway through sewing a block and have the thread break. Next time you find a spool of thread, pick it up and give it a firm yank. If the thread breaks, then throw it out or use it for non-sports activities. If the thread doesn't break, it should be good to go.

When you choose thread for your quilt, remember to choose thread weaker than the material. This will ensure your fabric will not be damaged. If you are not sure whether your thread is stronger then the material; sew a test piece of fabric to make sure. Sew a simple seam and put that stitch under pressure. If the thread gives before the fabric, then that thread will work. However, if the fabric gives before the thread, you must reevaluate this choice.

Choosing the correct thread is important for the success of the project. Some threads are appropriate for hand quilting but inappropriate for machine quilting. One example is glazed threads, which feature a highly-polished coating over the thread. Gazing results in a hard, well-finished thread, but the glaze will rub off on the many parts of your sewing machine. This glaze will gum up your machine, and can be difficult to clean off of tiny sewing machine parts.

If you find a spool of thread and aren't sure how old it is, don't start threading it into your sewing machine right away. The thread can very well be dry-rotted and it would be a shame to get halfway through sewing a block and have the thread break. Next time you find a spool of thread, pick it up and give it a firm yank. If the thread breaks, then throw it out or use it for non-sports activities. If the thread doesn't break, it should be good to go.