Have you ever used a different color in the bobbin than what's on the top for your quilting? I finished the quilt top for my sister and I'm getting ready to quilt it soon. My problem is that my backing fabric is an army green and pink color (see above). I want to quilt the quilt with white thread but I'm afraid it will stand out so much more than I'd like it to on the back. So I'm contemplating using a green or pink or even invisible thread in the bobbin. Have you ever done this? Does it work out ok?
Anyone ever use invisible thread for quilting? The stuff I found is invisible nylon thread. (quoted from Connecting Threads) "There's no need to change the bobbin tension with this fine, yet strong, translucent thread! Gives machine quilting a supple, antique look. Originally produced for embellishment uses.
Do I dare use anything but 100% cotton thread when machine quilting??
Do I dare use anything but 100% cotton thread when machine quilting??
Any tips or suggestions would be appreciated! I just don't know if I want to use white on the back.
I haven't dared since the tension on my machine is testy ... unless you've got perfect tension, I suspect you'll see the other color pulling thru. I would take some scraps of the materials with batting and test it to see how it works out ... hope the head injury is now totally healed
ReplyDeleteI have used different colours. But I'd do a test and make sure your tension is good before you do the real quilt.
ReplyDeleteI've only used it on top but I used invisible polyester thread. It's less likely to be melted by the iron.
ReplyDeleteI have fabric like the green and pink in the black colorway. I've never used anything but the same color for the same reasons. Invisible sounds good, but does it make an impact like colored?
ReplyDeleteCan you make a test sandwich and try this first?
Let us know!
For my mermaid quilt, I used white on the front and tan on the back. Because, you know, the back was tan AND I was running out of white thread and didn't want to go to the store to get more. It worked fine but the threads were pretty similar to start. I think I would have still tried it if the threads were very different colors...finding the correct tension will prevent them from pulling out on the wrong side.
ReplyDeleteI've never tried the invisible thread so I don't know if that's a good option.
I haven't used invisible thread but I have used different top and bobbin threads - and yes, you need to make sure the tension is OK or you see a little contrast color pulling through (and even when my tension was good, I occasionally saw pull-through when quilting over an intersection or thick seam). Overall, definitely worth the effort! Good luck!
ReplyDelete(and if you use the invisible thread, please let us know how it works)
I have used difeerent colors on the top & bottom & had no problem-but yes, if the tension is off, it could show. I've contemplated invisible, but they are always out of it, when I've gone to buy it-so someone out there must be using it
ReplyDeleteI have not had good luck with the clear "plastic" thread. But someone must use it or they wouldn't keep selling it. As for different color threads, I do that all the time. But I suggest making a mini sandwich to test your tension. Too much or too little and the thread color you don't want to see will show. Though to be honest, I don't worry if it shows just a bit on the back because sometimes you just can't get it perfect if there is a lot of contrast.
ReplyDeleteI like to use Madeira Monolon for times like these. I quilted a very dark top (she wanted orange/black/brown variagated thread) and then muslin backer (she did not want thread to show). I used Monolon in the bobbin with no problem. Note, only wind the bobbin halfway and loosen the tension. It works like a charm for me. The quilting showed on the back...with no color. She was pleased.
ReplyDeleteI have used invisible thread in the bobbin without issues. I do use a Juki to quilt however. A Juki does not seem to be as temperamental as my GFs machines when they try using other types of thread in their bobbins. What I would like to say is that if you want a quilt to last "forever" I would only use cotton. When it does not matter if the quilt lasts "forever", then I say go for it. Personally, I prefer to find cotton threads to match the fabric knowing that they will hold up without problems.
ReplyDelete