Thanks for all the great advice. I think I'll stick with my cotton thread. I've had success with it so far

watch episode 201...bob the thread guy gives a description on the differences between cotton and poly..

Thanks for adding that Libbi, I just thought of that this morning and was going to add the iron v. polyester thread information. If you're not using a very hot iron then poly thread is great. If however a hot iron is occasionally needed for a bit of persuasion then cotton is the way to go.

Teri

I like Alex's cotton Masterpiece from Superior Threads for piecing. I could actually feel the difference as I sewed. It is hard to describe but I would recommend that you try it or a comparable cotton. My only problem with piecing with a good polyester is that I tend to use too hot an iron and it WILL melt. Not a fun error to correct. I do believe that the other comments about polyester tearing the quilt, breaking over time, etc. may have been true in the early days, but not with today's good quality polyester.

I was once told that the polyester tears quilts over a period of time when washed, and if you sew to tiny of stitches by machine the same will happen over a period of time.
I've also heard this was a myth on polyester thread because back in the day cotton thread was the only resource to be used. My question is did they make polyester threads just for embroidering?!
I like the myth part and myself I use both cotton & polyester,especially with the quilting, I think many do. I have not seen any tears from washing in my 20 years yet but doesn't mean it won't happen. Yet I think of dry rot which one would more likely do this in years to come. So I'm really tossed up on the threads.

You know I was wondering that myself I am glad you asked

no need to switch, your 50 wt cotton thread is just fine, excellent I dare say for piecing. The thread that Superior makes with Alex's name on it is a 50 wt 2 ply cotton thread.

Happy quilting!
Teri

Hi all,

I am nearly finished my first quilt (yea!), and I've had a ton of fun doing it. I have all the fabric to start my next one, but I have a question. I had gone to a class for my new machine, and the instructor mentioned that she pieced her quilts only with polyester, rather than cotton, thread. She said cotton thread is too fragile. I've been using a 50 weight, light gray cotton thread to piece. Should I switch to polyester? (I think she uses 100 weight polyester) What differences might I expect if I do so?

Thanks for any advice!