Friday, February 3, 2012

Bobbin, bobbin who’s got the bobbin

What kind of thread do you use in the bobbin?

I’ll bet you don’t think about it that much, but it can really make a difference in your machine quilting experience.

Superior threads makes something called the Bottom Line. Designed by Libby Lehman for quilting, embroidery, bobbin, binding, and applique. 50 original colors and 5 NEW colors of 60 wt. lint-free polyester.

It is important to use good thread in your bobbin area to get good, clean and even results.

I think it is important to use a thinner weight thread in the bobbin. It does a couple of things to help you with your machine quilting. It keeps the bobbin thread on the back of your quilt because it is a thinner thread, and it makes the quilting lighter.

I always like to match the color of my bobbin thread to the color of my top thread. That way if I have any tension issues the thread colors will be the same.

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Recommended Needle to use with The Bottom Line

Topstitch #80/12 or #70/10
This is a high quality thread that works well for machine quilting.

There are three main advantages of a Topstitch needle.
1. The point is sharp, but not razor sharp.  It has a very slightly rounded sharp point with allows the needle point to penetrate without cutting the fibers.  Many needles have a similar point.
2. Wider and deeper groove.  All needles have a groove which runs up the shaft of the needle.  The thread lies in the groove rather than along the outside of the needle.  The groove on Topstitch needles is wider and deeper than most other needle styles. This is beneficial especially for medium, heavy, decorative, and sensitive threads.
3. The favorite feature of the Topstitch needle is the extra large eye. It is twice as large as most other needle styles.  The large eye gives much more room for thread as it moves through the needle and greatly reduces stress on thread.  From the Superior Newsletter.



Next week I am going to feature Aurifil Thread and show you examples of where I have used it in my work, as well as an interview with Alex Veronelli the US rep. for Aurifil. Stay tuned and tell your friends.

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

I like to use Bottom Line #622 Gray when I do thread painting on stabilizer to be stitched onto the quilt top later. I'm frequently using a Madeira embroidery thread on the top for them. That way I don't have to change the color of the bobbin thread constantly, and have never had a problem with the gray coming up to the top.

Frieda Anderson said...

That is an excellent idea. Thank you for sharing.

Lisa Chin said...

I love Bottom Line thread and have used it on the top and bottom of my quilts. It's a fabulous thread!

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