Welcome back!
I just got back myself! Enjoyed eight busy, wonderful days in Texas!
Spent some time working (and playing) with my Quilting Central Podcast team, Cathy and Julie. And spent some time at the Houston Quilt Market. Loved the Superior Threads display … and guess what?! Micki from Superior agreed to return to The Quilting Connection in November to repeat her FREE Hands-on Threads Class!!! (Keep reading for more details!)
Okay, so with Micki coming to teach about using all different types of thread on both your domestic and longarm machines AND with the last Quilting Central Podcast (Episode #12) covering “All About Thread,” guess what today’s post is going to be about? Yup! Thread!
I’m going to share some basics about thread, plus what brands/lines of thread we use at The Quilting Connection for longarm quilting. That will give you a base for learning even more from our Quilting Central podcast and from Micki in the Hands-on Threads class.
So, let’s get started!
Thread Basics
When I say thread basics, I’m thinking about thread weight and how that impacts your choice of top and bobbin thread when you’re longarm quilting.
Thread Weight
Thread weight (wt) is the common terminology used to describe the thickness of a thread. What can make it confusing is that the higher the weight number, the finer the thread.
Weights range on the low side from 3 or 8 wt (the thickest thread) to 100 wt (the finest thread). When quilting on the longarm machines, we generally use 40 and 50-weight threads at The Quilting Connection.
I like the way Micki illustrates thread weight. Cup your hand. You’ll fit more of a finer weight thread in your hand than a heavier thread. The more thread you can fit in your hand, the higher its weight number will be.
Choosing the Thread Weight for Your Top and Bobbin Threads
When you’re planning your quilting, ask yourself, “How much do I want my quilting to show?” And consider both your quilt top and the back.
Several things come into play here: the color thread you choose, the intricacy of your piecing, and the busyness of your fabric. But so does the weight of the thread you use.
When I’m planning to use my basic 40 and 50 wt threads, here’s what I’m thinking.
My 50 wt thread works best for the bobbin thread, my binding topstitching, and if I want my top thread to blend into the background so my fabric and/or piecing will be the focus of my finished quilt.
My 40 wt thread can provide more decorative quilting and more visible stitch work.
So, the ultimate question is, “How much and where do I want to see my quilting?”
Thread Recommendations
Would it help if I share the brands/lines of thread that we carry and use most often at The Quilting Connection? Many good brands/lines are available for longarm quilting. My best advice? Find a good quality thread that works well for both you and your machine.
Superior Threads
I love Superior Threads! We carry their So Fine!, Magnifico, Fantastico, and OMNI lines in cones for the longarm machines.
So Fine! is our go-to thread. It’s a 50 wt 3-ply polyester thread, has a matte finish, and is low-lint. It makes a wonderful bobbin and top thread.
Magnifico is a 40 wt 2-ply high-sheen polyester thread. If you want your quilting to have a glossy pop, this is an excellent option!
Fantastico is also a 40 wt 2-ply high-sheen polyester thread, but it’s variegated! With a one-inch precision dye pattern, it will bring even more color to your quilting!
OMNI is a 40 wt poly-wrapped poly core thread. It’s considered very strong and can handle high-speed quilting with fewer breaks.
Fil-Tec Threads
Glide is another very popular longarm thread. It is a 40 wt polyester thread that also gives a smooth sheen look to your quilting.
Thread for Piecing Your Quilt Top
Thread for piecing is another huge topic on its own. But I did want to take a minute to urge you to buy quality thread. A favorite of mine is Superior’s PIMA 50 wt 2-ply cotton thread. This fine thread minimizes bulk and lets your seams lay flat … just what you want when you longarm!
Pima comes in 50 different colors and in a beautiful display box!
Right now we have the box on sale! This box has 54 spools (some of the neutrual colors are doubled up). It's an over $800 value for $559.99 Save over $5 per spool by buying the box!
Click here to learn more!
Why Thread Weight Matters
So far, I’ve talked about what thread weight is and how it can impact the look of your longarm quilting, but there’s another important aspect to thread weight – tension!
Tension is the balance between the top and bobbin threads. The goal is for the two threads to lock in the middle of the quilt layers (i.e., in the batting). Correct tension results in smooth, even stitches on both the quilt top and the back.
However, thread weight impacts this balance. If you’re using the same weight thread for both your top and bobbin thread, you’re ensuring the “tug of war” between the top and bottom threads is equal. It should produce a balanced stitch with no tension adjustment needed.
But, you CAN mix thread weights. You just need to be aware of how the mix impacts your machine’s tension and then make the appropriate adjustments.
It’s common for quilters to use a slightly finer thread in the bobbin than what they’re using for the top thread. For example, you might use a 40 wt thread on top and a 50 or 60 wt thread in your bobbin.
In this case, the finer bobbin thread lets the top thread show cleanly on the quilt top while producing a thin, less bulky stitch on the back. However, you’ll probably have to increase your bobbin tension or loosen your top tension slightly when using a heavier top thread.
Another Impact of Thread Weight – Needle Size
Using a heavier, thicker top thread often requires a larger needle with a larger eye. If the eye is too small, it can abrade the thread and increase fraying and breakage.
Most thread manufacturers recommend the best size needle to use with each of their lines of thread.
My fave, Superior Threads, provides a Longarm Machine Thread Reference Guide that provides this information. For So Fine! 50 wt, they recommend a size 16 needle. For Magnifico, Fantastico and OMNI (40 wt threads), Superior recommends a larger, size 18 needle.
That’s a lot of information to process! I’m going to wrap up my thoughts on thread by sharing a few final tips.
Thread Tips Related to Longarm Quilting
- Invest in quality thread. Big-box and discount stores may sell “B” quality thread. This can impact the weight/thickness of the thread you’re buying, which in turn can impact the quantity of thread on the cone as well as the tension and stitch quality.
- Change your longarm needles often. Needles dull and damage multistrand polyester threads faster at longarm speeds. I recommend you change your needle after every quilt (especially when lap-size or larger) or when you change thread type.
- Store thread away from sun & moisture. Some thread dyes may fade, and sun dries out your thread.
- Test your tension prior to quilting. Place a scrap of similar fabric to the side of your quilt top as you get ready to start quilting. Stitch some straight lines and curves. Then look carefully at both sides of your sample to check your tension. (This is really easy to do when your quilt is loaded with the Quick Zip System™!) If needed, adjust your tension and retest.
- If you’re new to longarm quilting, use the same weight thread for both your top thread and bobbin. Once you’re more comfortable with your machine and understand how tension works, start playing with different weight threads and combining different weights. That’s when it’s time to experiment and have fun!
- If you fill your own bobbins, fill several of them prior to starting your quilting or make sure you have a second cone of the same thread available. You don’t want to have to stop quilting and unload/reload your top thread because your bobbin needs refilling!
- If you’re using polyester thread with a sheen (e.g., Magnifico, Fantastico), only fill your bobbins ¾ full. This helps prevent tension and uneven stitch issues. Slippery, high-sheen thread doesn’t grip to itself as well as matte finishes do. As a result, the outer layers of a shiny bobbin’s thread can slide off and unwind!
- If you’re struggling with stray thread ends when you’re storing your cones, try Hugo’s Amazing Tape™! This tape is a no-glue, self-clinging product that can be reused over and over. Just wrap it around your thread cone to hold the ends in place! There’s no sticky residue, and it can be used on thread, fabric, paper, and more.
Who would think you could say so much about thread … and this is just a high-level look from a longarm quilting perspective!
Thread Resource Information
If you’d like to know more about thread, let me offer some additional resources!
First, check out Micki’s Hands-on Thread Class. Keep reading for more details, but I must tell you that these classes are filling EXTREMELY fast!
Next, watch The Quilting Central Podcast, Episode 12 “All About Thread.” More details follow on this as well.
Finally, most thread companies produce educational resources describing their threads, their recommended uses, and more. If you’re interested in Superior Threads, see the Reference Guides page of their website.
Okay, time to see what else is going on with The Quilting Connection!
In-person Classes
Basic Free-motion Class with Wendy Fuller
Friday, October 17, 2025 (Appleton) SOLD OUT
or
Saturday October 18, 2025 Elkhorn 1 Spot Left
9:00 AM – 4:00 PM (lunch included)
These are small group, hands-on classes. Wendy will introduce you to a variety of free-motion quilting designs and the various techniques that can be used to produce them. You’ll look at the many ways to use the designs to fill your quilt blocks and borders.
You’ll also get plenty of hands-on time at the longarm, and you’ll go home with a practice piece to refer to and build on in the future!
Feathers Flowers and Leaves Class with Wendy Fuller
Friday, November 7, 2025 (Appleton) SOLD OUT
or
Saturday, November 8, 2025 (Elkhorn) 2 Spots Left
9:00 AM – 4:00 PM (lunch included)
Want to broaden your free-motion repertoire?
Wendy will guide you in easy and popular ways to create
feathers, leaves, and flowers.
You’ll explore the many ways to use them in overall designs, blocks, and borders!
You’ll do a bit of drawing to introduce you to some designs, then you’ll get busy on the longarm practicing them. And, of course, you’ll go home with your practice piece!
Ruler and Gridwork Class with Wendy Fuller
Friday, November 21, 2025 (Appleton) SOLD OUT
or
Saturday, November 22, 2025 (Elkhorn) 1 Spot Left
9:00 AM – 4:00 PM (lunch included)
Ruler Class Description:
There are so many ways to use rulers! In this small, hands-on class, Wendy will show you tips and tricks for using rulers safely and effectively on your longarm to create straight lines, curves, circles, and arcs/swags.
She’ll teach you how to combine patterns to create complex looking designs. You'll learn how to use these designs for blocks, borders, sashings, and edge to edge options!
You’ll also get plenty of time on the longarm to stitch out some designs and try out different rulers to see which ones you may want to start adding to your quilting tool kit. And, of course, you’ll go home with your practice piece to refer to in the future!
Gridwork Class description:
What is "Grid-work"? It's when you quilt a grid-based design that can use stencils/marking or piecing lines to guide your quilting. Some common examples are "continuous curves" and "orange peel", but the possibilities are endless!
After a little instruction, you'll get to practice designs on the longarm that can be done free motion or with rulers. Wendy will show you how to scale the designs to fit your quilt.
There are so many options for blocks, borders, and background fills!
This class is for beginners through experienced skill levels. There are plenty of options to challenge us all!
AN ADDED NOTE FOR ALL OF WENDY’S CLASSES
Have a project you’re not sure how to quilt? Feel free to bring it along, and you’ll work with Wendy to brainstorm specific ideas that fit both your quilt and your skill level. You’ll go home with a ready-to-execute plan to finish your project!
And please know that all classes are adapted to the experience level of the participants!
Superior Hands-on Thread Class
Saturday, November 15, 2025 (Elkhorn)
or
Sunday, November 16, 2025 (Appleton) JOIN WAITLIST
10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
In this FREE class Micki will teach you that you CAN use all different kinds of threads on your domestic or longarm machine!
You’ll make projects to learn new techniques! And we’ll provide all the fabrics and threads.
Just bring your domestic sewing machine!
Micki will show you how to use Pima cotton, Sew Sassy, Metallic, Glitter, and MonoPoly threads!
You can do it!
These classes are filling quickly, so check your calendar and sign up soon!
See the Classes page of our website for even more details.
Upcoming Events
Village Quilters of Lake Bluff/Lake Forest, IL
Quilts from the Village
Friday, October 24, 2025
9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Saturday, October 25, 2025
9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
College of Lake County
Building F (Physical Education)
19351 West Washington St.
Grayslake, Illinois
Admission: Regular $10
Current Military, Veterans & Students with valid ID $5
children under 12 – free
Please join us! Be sure to stop by and say hi!
APQS Road Shows
If you’re interested in learning all about longarm quilting and the APQS machines, these Road Show events are the way to go! We’ve held several at both our Elkhorn and Appleton locations, and the quilters that attended them loved them!
Now we’ve got two more scheduled in other Wisconsin locations! Please join Rick and me in:
Eau Claire on November 19th
Madison on November 20th
More details coming soon!
Distributor Events and Sales!
Handi Quilter: Online Event
Join the HQ Quilting Bee
10AM MT on October 14th
Gather with quilters from all over the world to celebrate friendship and learn how to finish your own quilts! Kim Sandberg will teach you custom quilting, using both free-motion and computerized quilting! Click the link above for more details!
When you RSVP you’ll also be entered into a special prize drawing!
The HQ Team will be streaming live on YouTube and Facebook,
but registration is required to win!
Fall Quilting Bee Schedule
10AM-11AM | Welcome and creating a custom quilting plan
11AM – 12noon | Free-motion demo & Giveaway #1
12noon – 1PM | Break for lunch
1PM – 2PM | Custom Quilting with Pro-Stitcher & Giveaway #2
2PM – 3PM | Quilting Demos
3:30PM | Moxie winner announced
You can only win the giveaways by joining live.
Handi Quilter: Sale
Have you been waiting to buy your dream Handi Quilter longarm? Now’s the time!
Handi Quilter is offering show pricing now through December 1st!
Please contact us for more details!!!
The Quilting Central Podcast Update
Have you caught the latest episode of The Quilting Central Podcast?
Check out Episode 12: “All About Thread”. Julie, Cathy and I unravel one of the most essential quilting supplies – thread!
We cover:
- Different thread types & when to use them
- How thread choice affects quilting design, durability & texture
- Tips for avoiding breakage, tangles & tension issues
- Matching (or contrasting!) thread with fabric for the best effect
- Favorite brands, shop-tested recommendations & go-to tricks.
Whether you’re piecing, quilting, or binding, understanding thread can take your projects from frustrating to fabulous. Join us for laughs, expert advice, and a little “thread therapy.”
For a complete listing of all our episodes, check out the Quilting Central Podcast YouTube channel! Be sure to subscribe and comment. We’d love to hear your thoughts!
That’s it! And as always …
Please remember, if you ever have ANY questions or want additional information about ANY of the products and services we offer, please call us at (262) 723-6775 or email us at info@QuiltingConnection.com.
You can also visit us online at QuiltingConnection.com or in person at 21 Adams Street in Elkhorn, WI (usually M-F 9-4, please call to confirm we’re open) or 1017 W. Northland in Appleton, WI (W, Th & F 10-4, S 10-3).
Finally, check out our blog at QuiltingConnection.com/blog and our Facebook posts.
And please share your thoughts and questions. I’d love to hear from you!
Angie