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Over the years the folks at Superior Threads have worked with thousands of customers, educators, and innovators in the quilting industry. Every year they learn more about the quilting and sewing world.
Here is Part 1 of their most frequently asked questions, along with the answers, from 2015:
#1 Q: What makes your cotton threads so lint free and smooth?
We use only the highest grade cotton to produce King Tut and MasterPiece cotton threads. Egyptian-grown extra-long staple cotton is the best in the textile/thread industry. (FYI, most labels claiming "Egyptian cotton" are not from Egypt. Our cotton thread is certified Egyptian-grown.) Extra-long staple (or fiber) means less lint and higher strength. Superior's cotton threads also undergo special processing that makes them virtually lint free. This process includes mercerizing, tight twisting, precision dying, and gassing (passing thread above a flame at high speed to burn off any excess fuzz and lint so it doesn't end up in your machine).
- Use MasterPiece for piecing, applique, and bobbin.
- Use King Tut for quilting.
- Please see our Cotton Thread Infographic to learn more.
We use only the highest grade cotton to produce King Tut and MasterPiece cotton threads. Egyptian-grown extra-long staple cotton is the best in the textile/thread industry. (FYI, most labels claiming "Egyptian cotton" are not from Egypt. Our cotton thread is certified Egyptian-grown.) Extra-long staple (or fiber) means less lint and higher strength. Superior's cotton threads also undergo special processing that makes them virtually lint free. This process includes mercerizing, tight twisting, precision dying, and gassing (passing thread above a flame at high speed to burn off any excess fuzz and lint so it doesn't end up in your machine).
- Use MasterPiece for piecing, applique, and bobbin.
- Use King Tut for quilting.
- Please see our Cotton Thread Infographic to learn more.
#2 Q: I'm a beginner: What thread, needles, or bobbin thread do I need to use?
We have many easy-to-understand Reference Guides to help with this. Our Thread Selection Guide will help you find the best thread for your project. Our Thread Reference Guides provide needle, tension, and bobbin thread recommendations. One Guide is specific to home machines and another is for longarm machines. For help choosing the prewound bobbin that works best in your machine, consult our Bobbin Headquarters page which provides more information about bobbins than any other place in the world. All Guides, articles, and videos are available free of charge on our website. Our most popular Reference Guides are also available in our Product Catalog.
We have many easy-to-understand Reference Guides to help with this. Our Thread Selection Guide will help you find the best thread for your project. Our Thread Reference Guides provide needle, tension, and bobbin thread recommendations. One Guide is specific to home machines and another is for longarm machines. For help choosing the prewound bobbin that works best in your machine, consult our Bobbin Headquarters page which provides more information about bobbins than any other place in the world. All Guides, articles, and videos are available free of charge on our website. Our most popular Reference Guides are also available in our Product Catalog.
#3 Q: How do I prevent the thread looping or bird nesting on the underside of my quilt?
Assuming you have the correct needle size for thread you are using, if the top thread loops on the underside, either the top tension is too loose or the bobbin tension is too tight. Adjusting either should correct the problem. On home machines, we usually need only to adjust the top tension. On longarm machines, we usually adjust both. Our Tug-O-War tension article explains how tension settings work. This guide is also included in our Product Catalog.
Assuming you have the correct needle size for thread you are using, if the top thread loops on the underside, either the top tension is too loose or the bobbin tension is too tight. Adjusting either should correct the problem. On home machines, we usually need only to adjust the top tension. On longarm machines, we usually adjust both. Our Tug-O-War tension article explains how tension settings work. This guide is also included in our Product Catalog.
#4 Q: I never touch the tension on my machine. My dealer said I shouldn't need to. So, what else can I do to get a perfect stitch?
Tension settings are there to be adjusted, even on automatic tension machines. Experiment with adjusting the tension. Adjusting tension settings will allow you to successfully use any quality thread in your machine.
Tension settings are there to be adjusted, even on automatic tension machines. Experiment with adjusting the tension. Adjusting tension settings will allow you to successfully use any quality thread in your machine.
#5 Q: Where can I look to know what bobbin size fits my machine?
Our Superior Threads Bobbin Headquarters page has a lot of bobbin information. It is also the place to find prewound bobbin information for most machines. It also shows the top three most commonly used bobbin sizes (L-style, M-style, Class 15 or A-style) available with prewound Superior Threads. A Superior prewound bobbin offers a combination of top quality thread, wide color selection, and convenience.
Our Superior Threads Bobbin Headquarters page has a lot of bobbin information. It is also the place to find prewound bobbin information for most machines. It also shows the top three most commonly used bobbin sizes (L-style, M-style, Class 15 or A-style) available with prewound Superior Threads. A Superior prewound bobbin offers a combination of top quality thread, wide color selection, and convenience.
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