Sew What’s Up Presents
The Sew What’s New Archive
This archived content is from Mary Wilkins’ sewing and
quilting message board “Sew What’s New,” which was
retired in August 2007. It is being provided by
“Sew What’s Up,”
which serves as the new home for many members of “Sew What’s New.”
From: Laurieb2851
Date: 03-08-2005, 06:27 AM (1 of 7)
| I don't know if anyone out there can help me with this or not, but I have a question with regard to interfacing and thread use. I have personally witnessed a 100% cotton quilt where the person used cotton covered polyester thread and this thread shread and cut through her 100% quilt. This person told me that the cotton covered polyester thread should not be used because the polyester in the thread is too strong for the 100% cotton. If I make a 100% cotton quilt, I will remember that - but with regard to the batting - if using polyester batting will the batting cut the 100% cotton thread used for the quilt? Also, I am going to be making a 100% cotton tote and the pattern says to interface the fabric used for the tote. I am wondering if I need to use a 100% cotton interfacing rather then a synthetic interfacing of some kind to again prevent shredding of the 100% cotton fabric? I am also going to be using a 100% cotton twill with some lycra in it for some slip covers for a couch, loveseat and chair. I would like to know if perhaps I should NOT use 100% cotton thread because of the lycra being a stronger fiber? I am pursuing some pretty large projects which will require a lot of sewing and hard work. I don't want to invest all my time in using the wrong fibers together only to find out that one of the fibers will be destroying the other fiber. I hope my questions aren't confusing. Thanks! |
User: Laurieb2851
Member since: 03-08-2005 Total posts: 16 |
From: LeapFrog Libby
Date: 03-08-2005, 12:17 PM (2 of 7)
|
I was living in the past for a while about C & C cotton covered polyester thread.. It used to be greatest thing since sliced bread.. But as I said that is a thing of the past.. It shreads on my machine, it doesn't wait till it gets in the garment or creation.. It used to be top quality in my book, but no more.. Use quality thread... I can't quite figure out how it could cut a quilt... Did the whole quilt shrink??? Was the tension too tight in the sewing.. ?? Was the bobbin wound at too high a speed stretching the polyester core thread to start with.. ??( a very widespread problem) I can think of a lot of reasons for that to happen.. IF (a big if) the fabric was not pre-shrunk...
Sew With Love
Libby |
User: LeapFrog Libby
Member since: 05-01-2002 Total posts: 2022 
|
From: mamadus
Date: 03-09-2005, 12:25 AM (3 of 7)
|
all the quilt shops that I deal with tell me to use 100% cotton thread if you're doing a 100% cotton quilt...and yes, the reason is that the polyester thread is sharp and will cut the cotton threads of the fabric.... my gran always told me the same thing... and if you think about it... with all the work that goes into making a lovely quilt, it would be a shame to have it all go to waste because of the wrong thread... MO life is too short, not to explore
|
User: mamadus
Member since: 12-31-2004 Total posts: 492 
|
From: Laurieb2851
Date: 03-18-2005, 07:17 PM (4 of 7)
| The quilt in question that shred - it was the most beautiful quilt I've seen anyone make in a long time. Not only that - the person who sewed it had made it in a quilting class. I'm not sure why the teacher of the class wasn't able to help her with choosing the thread or didn't. But I've run into another thread issue - I just bought a beautiful heavy-duty thread which supposively was used by a jeans manufacturer. It's the perfect color and the thread is thick enough to use as a top stitch and of course the strength of the seam. It is a polyester thread and what I can't figure out is if the same rules apply - I'm wondering if, or wondering why, this polyester thread wouldn't shred 100% cotton denim. I was going to make some neat totes out of denim and sure don't want to sell the totes and then end up getting complaints about the totes getting cut apart by the thread. I'm thinking I'm going to have to make myself a tote like the ones I'm planning on selling and then test them through washing cycles to make sure they won't fall apart once I sell them. I remember some covers I made for a couch where I used polyester thread for the 100% upholstery cotton and they didn't even last one wash cycle before all the seams were cut. I am going to make some more covers for my furniture and I purchased some cotton lycra twill to use for the purpose. I have found myself wondering, considering the lycra in the cotton twill the thread I'm going to have to use. It is a top quality fabric gotten for a steal on Ebay in a perfect shade of gray. I may have to experiment on thread for that fabric also. Using the proper thread isn't as easy as I once thought. |
User: Laurieb2851
Member since: 03-08-2005 Total posts: 16 |
From: LeapFrog Libby
Date: 03-19-2005, 12:02 PM (5 of 7)
|
When you are doing your experimenting, remember this.. I have read several places that the reason you have problems with polyester thread is winding the bobbin at too high a speed.. It stretches the thread.. when you sew at regular speed you are not fixing the problem and afterward the thread shrinks back to normal and therefore cuts the fabric or puckers your seams.. I stopped winding my bobbins at high speed and I have had no problems since and everything I sew gets washed a lot..
Sew With Love
Libby |
User: LeapFrog Libby
Member since: 05-01-2002 Total posts: 2022
|
From: mamadus
Date: 03-19-2005, 11:23 PM (6 of 7)
|
interesting libby.. I had never heard it explained that way... its possible. I do think testing is probably a good idea... both with washing and maybe with stressing some test seams... maybe by pulling on them to see what kind of interaction occurs between the fabric and the thread... Just my 2 cents... MO life is too short, not to explore
|
User: mamadus
Member since: 12-31-2004 Total posts: 492
|
From: Laurieb2851
Date: 03-20-2005, 12:51 AM (7 of 7)
|
Libby, really? The polyester thread might still work with the 100% cotton? I've always done bobbin winding at high speed - never thought what that might do to the tension of the thread. Wow! I'll have to change that little habit. Mo, I think you're right about the testing. I've noticed myself having to do a lot more testing of fabrics and thread. Usually the best prices you can get on fabric out there is because it's an undetermined fiber. Most things I sew, I want to be able to wash so the first thing I do when I get the fabric home is throw it in the washing machine and then the dryer to see how it washes up then depending on how it washes up I decide what to use it for. I have a great thrift store that has a lot of fabrics come in (brand new, never washed or sewed) and you wouldn't believe what I find sometimes. One time I found 25 yards of a beautiful Waverly fabric with big beautiful magnolias on it - an beautiful old-fashioned print. Would you believe I picked it up for $5!!!!! - the whole 25 yards!!!!!!! I just found another brand new roll of 25 yards of a nice cream-colored drapery fabric that I picked up for $10 at my same store. When you run into deals like that you're willing to experiment and test a bit more. I just found about 15 yards of a 100% cotton cow print (black spots on white) that I picked up for $2.40 - but here's the thing - I don't like cows, lol! I have to do more then test on that one, lol! Laurie |
User: Laurieb2851
Member since: 03-08-2005 Total posts: 16 |
Visit Sew What’s Up for the latest sewing and quilting tips and discussions.
This page was originally located on Sew What’s New (www.sew-whats-new.com) at http://www.sew-whats-new.com/vb/archive/index.php/t-15273.html
Sew What’s Up is hosted by ZenSoft