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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: pucktricks
Date: 08-15-2006, 03:12 PM (1 of 23)
So, I got my brand new machine and they are saying that I really need to get only Mettler thread for it.

Now, my question is, I know Coats and Clark's quality has fallen down, but what about Gutterman and Sulky? Are those still good? See, I at least see those on sale from time to time at Joann's, and would rather be able to buy something on sale sometimes.

Ticia
User: pucktricks
Member since: 03-31-2004
Total posts: 570
From: DorothyL
Date: 08-15-2006, 04:48 PM (2 of 23)
My machine and I like Gutterman just fine. Does the place you bought the machine sell Mettler? I think I would compare price and convenience and at least give the other brands a try.
Dorothy
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002
Total posts: 3883
From: MissTaraTara
Date: 08-15-2006, 04:56 PM (3 of 23)
I am no expert on thread. I use Coats & Clark on my Singer sewing machine with no problems at all. It is an older sewing machine. I think it is a mechanical one eventhough the model does not require oiling. I try to stick to Mettler and Gutermann for my newer computerized machine because of the lint factor that I've read about. I have not experienced it myself, or maybe I just don't know what I am looking for :nc: . I do clean my bobbin case area after each sewing project though. If you have a Hancock locally, they carry Mettler thread and it does go on sale once in awhile as does the Gutermann at JoAnn. Also, check with your Hancock because many times when they have "sewing notions" at 50% off, thread is considered a notion also. I have also used YLI cotton thread on my machine with ease. I think my friend uses only Gutermann on her new sewing machine. It is a Bernina Artista and the salesperson told her to stick with the polyester thread.
User: MissTaraTara
Member since: 01-24-2006
Total posts: 227
From: CountryCottage
Date: 08-16-2006, 08:56 PM (4 of 23)
When I got my Viking I too was told not to use anything that said "dual duty" on because it is cotton coated polyester and it stretches and frays easily. I use the gutermann and like the other posts, I just wait until Hancock or Joann's has a 50% off sale :smile:
User: CountryCottage
Member since: 08-15-2006
Total posts: 3
From: Chrysantha
Date: 08-16-2006, 09:19 PM (5 of 23)
I use Mettler, Guttermann, and Robinson-Anton..Sulky shreds in my machines.
Chrys
User: Chrysantha
Member since: 09-06-2002
Total posts: 2414
From: beachgirl
Date: 08-16-2006, 11:38 PM (6 of 23)
I have Janome embroidery machines & have no problem at all with Maderira,Robinson-Anton,Mettler,Sulky or Guttermann. I'm not that fond of Guttermann though. No problem with it, just don't care much for it. No problem with Coats & Clark sewing wise but I think it's a cheap made thread. I too watch for the sales.I won't buy the cheap serger thread either. It just doesn't pay to do so.
User: beachgirl
Member since: 08-31-2004
Total posts: 615
From: MissTaraTara
Date: 08-17-2006, 10:49 AM (7 of 23)
Just wanted to say that Hancock is having their usual Labor Day sale with all sewing notions at 50% off.....this includes thread!
User: MissTaraTara
Member since: 01-24-2006
Total posts: 227
From: pucktricks
Date: 08-17-2006, 04:41 PM (8 of 23)
Ooooohhhhhhhhhhhh, I'll have to go for that. I have a bunch of new projects coming up that need thread.

Ticia
User: pucktricks
Member since: 03-31-2004
Total posts: 570
From: LeapFrog Libby
Date: 08-17-2006, 07:24 PM (9 of 23)
My Featherweight 221 likes Coats and Clarks Dual Duty just fine., byt my Janome shreds it all to pieces after a few stitches.. So... I keep their shoe boxes far apart....I keep my threads in those clear plastic shoebox size containers.. :bg: :bg:
Sew With Love
Libby
User: LeapFrog Libby
Member since: 05-01-2002
Total posts: 2022
From: bridesmom
Date: 08-23-2006, 10:17 PM (10 of 23)
Makes me wonder if that's the problem with my Bernina Deco, that it just doesn't like the Gutterman, seems to shred it all the time. I was wondering if it was the type of needle I'm using, do y'all use only embroidery needles in the embroidery machine, or can you use regular ones?
Laura
Tickled pink with my Innovis 4000D
User: bridesmom
Member since: 01-21-2004
Total posts: 2026
From: beachgirl
Date: 08-23-2006, 11:53 PM (11 of 23)
I use embroidery or the Organ Titanium needles. You need the eye of the needle to accommodate ( is that spelled right ? ) the thread. If it isn't right the thread will shred or break. Ok ladies, am I right or saying it wrong ? Any way I don't have a problem. Metallic takes a needle just for that or it shreds.I'm sure one of the girls or guys can explain it better than I can.
User: beachgirl
Member since: 08-31-2004
Total posts: 615
From: pucktricks
Date: 08-24-2006, 10:18 AM (12 of 23)
I haven't learned about the specifics of embroidery machines yet (that comes later in my classes to learn my new machine). But, I do know you need embroidery needle for doing embroidery work.

Ticia
User: pucktricks
Member since: 03-31-2004
Total posts: 570
From: LeapFrog Libby
Date: 08-24-2006, 04:48 PM (13 of 23)
I'm a dinosaur in that I do NOT have an embroidery machine.. I use sewing 'regular fabrics' and 'for knits' needles in my machines.. I have a denim needle for when I need them, and I do not sew on leather any more, so I do not have a leather needle.. But, My janome just does not like Coats and Clarks thread, will use Sulky, Gutterman, and thrift dept stores offbrands as well as any polyester or all cotton thread that I buy with no problems..My F W 221 will sew with anything I thread it with..
Sew With Love
Libby
User: LeapFrog Libby
Member since: 05-01-2002
Total posts: 2022
From: beachgirl
Date: 08-24-2006, 10:18 PM (14 of 23)
Libby, that doesn't make you a dinosaur not having an embroidery machine. They aren't for everyone but bet you can sew rings around some of us. I still love my old Singers. they sew beautiful & won't quit.They sure made a lot of clothes for the kids & home dec stuff & quilts through the years. I love my embroidery machines but the older ones are just as special to me. I still like doing hand embroidery too. It's just what a person is interested in.
User: beachgirl
Member since: 08-31-2004
Total posts: 615
From: Tom Land
Date: 08-24-2006, 11:55 PM (15 of 23)
Coats and Clark causes problems in a lot of machines and puts out a lot of lint. I often have machines come in that all we do is replace the C & C with a good thread and the machine does fine. I prefer Mettler or Gutterman and haven't found a reason to prefer one over the other. Poly thread sews nicer and leaves no lint but your thread needs to match the fabric. If you Quilt with cotton fabric and Poly thread the thread will in a short time actually start to cut the fabric. If you sew a Poly garment with cotton thread (or vice versa} when the garment is washed the cotton will shrink while the poly doesn't. You then have a less than optimal stitch if not puckers.
I used to recommend that customers use Mettler or Gutterman until I overheard someone saying "he recommends it because he sells it". Since then I just stress not to use C & C.
Your dealer knows he will sell you very little thread. Thread is usually purchased where the fabric is. His concern is that you love your machine and tell all your friends. He knows that if you are using a good thread this is more likely.
Have fun or don't do it, Tom
User: Tom Land
Member since: 09-21-2005
Total posts: 514
From: paroper
Date: 08-25-2006, 09:03 AM (16 of 23)
The only time that I would use Sulky is if I were embroidering...and then only in a machine that takes Sulky, not all machines like Sulky thread and it does fray in many brands of machine. I like Mettler and Gutterman.

I do use a specific needle for embroidery....but it is just a needle, not an embroidery needle specifically. Organ needles are recommended for embroidery (ONLY) in the Bernina machines. Schmentz (or Bernina needles) are use for sewing. I use Schment more often because they are readily available and my desler sells them interchangably. The Organ needles have a slightly different length and scarf than the Schmentz. I use Schmentz Metalics when I need them, I don't think that Organ makes one. You should check with your individual dealer and see what they recommend. The needle should match the weight of your thread and the weight of your fabric. Sometimes it is not just a dull or bent needle that give your problems. If you do it correctly it can be quite a science.

If you have a metalic that is breaking there are a couple of things that can help. Not all metalics are created equal and you may not be able to improve your lot but this is one way to try. When you roll a hose in a circle between your arm and shoulder it twists. When you try to stretch it out, instead of laying "down" the hose will lay in loops across the yard. The same type of thing happens with metalic thread. For some reason, it coils when it is unrolled. If it doesn't uncoil, it will twist off and fray while you are sewing. If you have a multiple thread stand, place your metalic on the last spot and take it through all the thread guides. I don't know why but this helps. If you don't have a multiple thread stand but have a free standing thread stand? Place it to the right away from the machine and run your metalic from it and through your guides. It should help A LOT!
pam

Bernina 200e, Artista V5 Designer Plus, Explorations, Magic Box, Bernina 2000DE & 335 Bernette Serger, Bernina 1530 Sewing Machine, Bernina 1300 DC Overlock (with coverstitch)
User: paroper
Member since: 02-03-2004
Total posts: 3775
From: Patty22
Date: 08-25-2006, 09:05 AM (17 of 23)
I really like the Gutterman or Mettler cotton for machine piecing. I love the silk finish cotton, but it ends up being too pricey for some of my projects so I use them mainly for hand applique.

I had purchased the large spools of the Coats and Clark for machine quilting and I won't waste my money on those again. Not only did it overload my bobbin case with lint like Tom was talking about, but throughout the spool there were knots where the thread was tied off. I believe I had to clean out the bobbin area after every bobbin. That put a crimp in my quilting progress. (Most quilters would have learned with one spool, but I had purchased a second thinking I had just gotten a bad lot in the first.....wrong.)

Tom, I remember rather than using poly as the universal thread, it was spools of silk. Silk sewed garments like cream without any kind of puckering and the thread would just disappear into the fibers.

ps. Libby, we can be dinosaurs together!
Patty
User: Patty22
Member since: 03-29-2006
Total posts: 1194
From: weezyrider
Date: 08-25-2006, 11:41 AM (18 of 23)
I like Mettler Metrosene - Sulky sewing OK too, haven't had too many problems with Coats. I'll use whichever thread matches the fabric the best. There's something about Gutermann that I don't like - the thread is actually ok, but the design of the spool, and the display just turn me off. It could be the fact the off white spools make the thread look dirty. In some stores you have to watch the Sulky - the clerks or stockers mix up the emboidery and sewing thread.

Weezy
User: weezyrider
Member since: 08-19-2003
Total posts: 218
From: kmccrea
Date: 08-25-2006, 02:30 PM (19 of 23)
Any good quality machine will take a wide variety of threads. Do stay away from the cheapo bargain brands! I've never had a problem with Coats and Clark, but do like Gutterman and Mettler. I think I use them all about equally, just depends on the garment I'm constructing, the fabric and the color match. Make sure your needle is suitable for the size of the thread and thickness of the fabric.
Katherine McCrea
Designer At Large
User: kmccrea
Member since: 05-07-2006
Total posts: 173
From: Sew-it-seams
Date: 08-25-2006, 08:38 PM (20 of 23)
I use Guttermann for my sewing machine, but what is a good brand for my serger?
User: Sew-it-seams
Member since: 04-27-2004
Total posts: 9
From: paroper
Date: 08-25-2006, 10:38 PM (21 of 23)
When I purchased my serger they recommended Maxi Lock and I've used it for years. I seldom have any problems with it. First time in almost 14 years was this year...I got a spool where the thread was cut all the way through...pretty strange....took it back to Hancocks and they didn't even blink...just replaced it!
pam

Bernina 200e, Artista V5 Designer Plus, Explorations, Magic Box, Bernina 2000DE & 335 Bernette Serger, Bernina 1530 Sewing Machine, Bernina 1300 DC Overlock (with coverstitch)
User: paroper
Member since: 02-03-2004
Total posts: 3775
From: bluebirdie
Date: 08-26-2006, 07:58 PM (22 of 23)
Like Patty, I also use Maxilock on both my sewing machines and serger and never had problems. I don't know who makes them, but I buy large cones and the price per yard is reasonable. If you're considering threads for sewing machine, then it'd payoff to get better threads becasue sewing machines don't use much threads, and they're harder to clean than sergers.
- Robin
User: bluebirdie
Member since: 03-12-2006
Total posts: 139
From: LeapFrog Libby
Date: 08-28-2006, 04:32 PM (23 of 23)
I use Maxilock all the time in my serger.. Not just because its a product of my home state either.. I tried other brands, but this is the only one I buy now for regular serger thread.. For wooly nylon I buy the YLI usually because of all the color choices they offer, and I have never had any trouble with it.. :bg: :bg:
Sew With Love
Libby
User: LeapFrog Libby
Member since: 05-01-2002
Total posts: 2022
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