Get ready to up your thread game! Whether you're new to quilting or looking for a stash refresher, we've made this guide to the different common quilting thread options out there.
Thread is an essential quilting tool in the world of sewing, stitching and making.
Simply switching your thread choice can make a big difference to your finished quilts. This is true whether you're machine quilting, hand quilting or sprucing up your quilt tops with extra details like appliqué or embroidery. In a flash, you'll know your 80 weight from your 40 weight.
One of the most common things we hear when we're chatting to quilters is, "what's the best thread for quilting?", closely followed by "why are there so many different types of quilting thread?". We're going to show you how to find the right quilting thread for your project, along with some of the best quilting threads for you to buy and use.
How to choose the right thread for your project
Firstly, it's important to know what quilting thread to use for your project. Use our handy guide below to find the thread for you.
8 common quilting threads: The best quilting threads for each weight
1. 50 weight thread
- Use it for: Machine quilting, basting, whole cloth and micro quilting, Needle Turn Appliqué, English Paper Piecing, Hand Piecing, Machine Appliqué
- Which needle to use? Best used with an 80/12 Microtex/Sharp, Universal, Quilting, or Denim Needle or a 4.0 Longarm Needle. Use 50wt in the bobbin too.
The perfect choice for both piecing and quilting, 50wt is the most popular thread used in quilting. It's favoured by both beginner and expert quilters.
There's a huge range of 50w threads on the market but we'd recommend opting for Aurifil. They sell a range of 50w threads in a brilliant colour range. It's the perfect thread for stitching projects like our Foundation Paper Piecing dog quilt!
2. 40 weight cotton thread
- Use it for: Cross stitch, hand piecing, machine appliqué, machine embroidery and custom longarm quilting.
- Which needle? Use a 80/12 Microtex/Sharp, Universal, or Denim Needle, a 90/14 or 75/11 Quilting Needle (use 40wt or 50wt in the bobbin) OR 3.5 or 4.0 Longarm Quilting Needle (use 50wt in the bobbin).
40wt thread has all the benefits of 50wt, but with an even greater definition. It is strong enough to withstand fast, dense stitching, and thin enough to support intricate detail.
Mettler sells some wonderful 40w quilting threads. Available in a range of shades, these threads have a silk finish giving them a luxe feel.
As well as quilting, 40w thread is perfect for machine embroidery. You can use this thread with any of our free machine embroidery designs.
3. 28 weight thread
- Use it for: Machine quilting, cross stitch, blanket stitch, appliqué, hand piecing, hand quilting machine embroidery
- Which needle to use? Use 90/14 Topstitch, Quilting, or Denim Needle (use 40wt or 50wt in the bobbin), or a 4.0 Longarm Needle (use 40wt or 50wt in the bobbin)
28wt thread is an amazing option for when you want your machine quilting to shine. The weight of the thread allows for increased stitch definition. This means the thread itself is as much a part of the finished look of the quilt as the fabric.
This gorgeous collection of 28w threads by Aurifil is a great beginner-friendly pack. Aurifil teamed up with Annie Smith to create these delicate threads. We just love the shade range.
These quilting threads would work brilliantly with our applique tote bag project!
Looking for more quilting tools to help you?
Once you've picked up your quilting threads, it's time to add a quilting ruler to your kit! Head over to our round-up of the best quilting rulers.
4. 12 weight thread
- Use it for: Hand appliqué, hand embroidery, hand quilting, cross stitch, Sashiko, Redwork
- Which needle to use? 100/16 or 90/14 Topstitch Needle (use 40wt in the bobbin) or 4.5 Longarm Needle (use 28wt in the bobbin)
12wt thread can be used for machine stitching but typically is used for hand stitching. Strong, with enough heft to make a striking visual impact, it is both easy to use and produces fantastic results.
Sulky sell some beautiful 12wt quilting threads. They sell a range of multicoloured, blended threads made from Egyptian Cotton. Just look at that colour work!
This quilting thread would work fantastically with our Sashiko quilt tutorial.
5. Cotton Forty3 thread
- Buy now from the Cotton Patch
- Use them for: Quilting, machine embroidery, decorative stitching, making clothes, satin stitch
- Best needle: 90/14 Topstitch Needle (use 50wt in the bobbin) or 4.5 Longarm Needle (use 40wt or 50wt in the bobbin)
If you're looking for something stronger than your standard 40w thread, then Aurifil's Forty3 threads collection is for you. Launched by the brand in Houston in 2017, their Forty3 quilting threads have all the versatility and lustrous colour of the original 40 weight threads but the added benefit of extra strength.
These quilting threads are not only ideal for quilting projects but also for a range of sewing ones. Use your Forty3 thread to make our women's sewing patterns or men's sewing patterns.
6. Cotton 80 weight quilting thread
- Use it for: English Paper Piecing, hand Appliqué, Machine Embroidery and Appliqué, Free motion quilting and couching
- Needles to use it with: use 70/10 or 80/12 Microtex/Sharp or Embroidery Needle (use 80wt in the bobbin).
80wt thread is delicate and a wonderful choice when it comes to English Paper Piecing and hand appliqué. It's also a fantastic option for detailed and delicate machine quilting!
Aurifil sells some 80wt quilting threads which are ideal for quilting. You can use this thread to make our English Paper Piecing diamonds.
7. Cotton floss quilting thread
- Buy cotton floss quilting threads from Etsy
- Use it for: Cross stitch, miniature punch needle embroidery, tatting, needlepoint, appliqué
- Which needle to use? Match your needle according to the project (Embroidery, Cross Stitch, Tatting, etc.)
At first glance, it's easy to assume these luxury floss threads are purely for embroidery or cross stitch, but they're also a great choice for miniature punch needle embroidery.
Aurifloss is a 6-strand separating embroidery thread that allows you the ability to choose exactly how thick you would like your hand quilting to be.
8. Monofilament quilting threads
- Use it for: Attaching binding, machine stitching, free motion quilting, invisible seams, and all types of appliqué.
- Which needle to use? 80/12 or 70/10 Topstitching or Microtex/Sharp Needle, or a 3.0 or 4.0 Longarm Needle (use 40wt, 50wt, or hand-wound monofilament in the bobbin).
Monofilament thread is a fantastic option if you are quilting a highly colourful project yet don't want to make several thread changes throughout the quilting process.
This two-pack of nylon monofilament quilting thread is invisible, meaning it blends with your fabric to create a seamless finish.
The invisible finish gives a professional look to your projects and is also wonderful for dressmaking. Alongside quilting stencils, monofilament quilting threads should be a staple part of your craft stash!
Improve your projects with the right quilting thread
Using the correct quilting thread for your projects will not only make stitching easier but will give your pieces a professional look and feel.
Keep referring back to our chart every time you start a new project (you could print it and pin it up in your sewing room). It can become an essential part of your quilting tool kit!
Pick up some spools of the quilting threads we've mentioned and you'll be prepared for all quilting scenarios.
Discover more quilting essentials with Gathered
Now you know which quilting threads to use and buy, you should pick up a quilting frame!
Quilting frames are brilliant for helping you to stitch intricate areas of your quilt. By combining them with your quilting threads, you'll be able to create neat projects.
Head over to our collection of the best quilting frames and pick one up for yourself.
