40 Tips

Sewing takes practice to be good at, and a sewer will want to practice with different materials and threads. Quilters will often use different sewing media to create various styles and designs. In order to accomplish a heavier thread design that embellishes the stitching a heavier thread like cotton is used, but for those designs that require a delicate finer stitch to create an elegant style, a silk quilting thread is used. Using silk thread can take some getting use to, but some quilters become fond of using it in their designs. Unlike the silk in the past, today’s silk thread is durable.

In the past silk thread was treated with chemicals that had lead in them and in return the thread would deteriorate quickly. Today it is not treated with those chemicals, which makes this natural fiber as strong as other ones, which are used in quilting. Using silk quilting thread can take a bit of practice to get use to, and there are a few tips that can help in this process.

The first thing to do is loosen the tension; this will provide a nice stitch. It is also suggested to practice on a sample quilt piece several times before working on the main quilt. The same bobbin that is used for cotton thread can be used with silk thread, but a cone spool setup is the best way to make the tension even. In order to create a better look add more stitches per inch, and the thread is fine, so space the quilting closer. To give the design a degree of depth and texture, try to make the colors vary. Use lighter or darker thread instead of matching it completely to the quilt. Clean and oil the machine properly and often, this will ensure its ability to operate effectively.

Following these few steps will help develop skills using silk quilting thread, and learning how to use it could make any quilter fond of its effectiveness. Using variations in color will contrast the design from the quilt to enhance it. Silk quilting thread is the perfect quilting media for any traditional or formal design.