The Debate Between Cotton and Cotton/Poly Thread For Quilting.

If you have been a quilter for any time at all or been around quilters, you undoubtedly know there is a debate as to which should be used for quilting:  cotton or cotton/poly thread.  I have been quilting for nearly 30 years and have ALWAYS used cotton thread.  Preferably Egyptian Cotton because the long strands reduce lint and makes the thread stronger.  I use it in piecing the quilt top as well as quilting the entire quilt.  But recently the manufacturer of my long arm quilting machine came out with their own thread which is a cotton/poly.  I tried it on a quilt and loved it.  It runs as smooth as butter, produces very little lint, and the cone of thread has a lot on it.  But I questioned whether using cotton/poly was kosher.  We all have heard “use only 100% cotton thread”.  I finely asked myself “why?”.  Who said to only use cotton thread?  A little research brought the answer.  Because it was what our ancestors had.  Quilting as been around for as long as time itself and whatever fiber our ancestors could find is what they used for quilting as well as all sewing.  In the late 1800’s and early 1900’s cotton became the popular thread because it was readily available and items of clothing as well as quilts had to sewn together with something.  Silk thread was expensive and, well, there wasn’t much if anything else.  So cotton it was.  Our Grandmothers and Great Grandmothers used cotton thread and when asked why the answer was “it won’t cut the quilt” but really it was because it was what they had.  Polyester wasn’t even invented until 1941 so cotton was the most economical choice.

But as far as the question of whether cotton/poly is “ok” to quilt with the answer is “yes”.  Cotton thread can be as strong as wire and behave like it as well.  But using cotton/poly for quilting is completely safe.  There isn’t any strain on the quilting, unlike the seams, so the thread isn’t likely to cut the fabric.  I still piece my quilt top with 100% long staple Egyptian cotton (in a neutral color like light grey or light tan/ecru.  Call me old fashioned) because I can iron the you-know-what out of it and not worry about melting; and I do still use a high quality cotton for the actual quilting sometimes, but I have also added cotton/poly to my “tool box” for quilting threads.  There are thousands of beautiful thread choices available; everything from cotton to silk; cotton/poly, metallic, etc.  Explore a little.  Experiment with a metallic.   See if you change your mind.  You may end up making a fabulous art quilt.

For additional information on Polyester thread: https://www.superiorthreads.com/education/quilting-myths , https://www.superiorthreads.com/education/about-polyester-thread , https://www.superiorthreads.com/education/polyester-thread-question