Thread
Thread for sewing, quilting, embroidery and serging from Mettler, Aurifil, Sulky, Superior Threads, Gutermann, WonderFil, Isacord, Presencia, Robison-Anton, Coats & Clark, Signature and others. Each thread line — a brand, fiber and weight — has one page with every color on a selector, so you compare lines here and pick the color on the page. The buying help below explains weight, fiber and which thread suits which job; the thread weight chart goes deeper.
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Aurifil Cotton Thread Collection$1,804.99 -
Aurifil Cotton Thread Collection$1,804.99 -
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Aurifil Invisible Thread$70.99 -
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Aurifil Tappo 50wt Thread – Tappo Studio$1,084.99 -
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Aurifils 80wt Collection Case$444.99
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Choosing thread by job
Weight first. The number is the thickness, and lower is thicker: 12 and 28 weight for visible hand-quilting and decorative stitching; 40 weight for machine embroidery and bold quilting; 50 weight for piecing and general sewing — the all-purpose standard; 60 and 80 weight for fine piecing, appliqué and bobbins; 100 weight for invisible-looking stitches. A 50-weight cotton through an 80/12 needle is the combination most piecing is done with.
Fiber second. Long-staple cotton (Mettler Silk-Finish, Aurifil Mako, Superior MasterPiece, Presencia) sews flat, presses crisp and suits quilting cotton. Polyester (Metrosene, Gutermann Sew-All, Coats Dual Duty XP) is stronger, stretches slightly and suits garments, bags and anything that will be washed hard. Trilobal polyester and rayon (Isacord, Polysheen, Sulky Rayon, Robison-Anton) have the sheen embroidery designs are digitized for. Monofilament disappears for quilting in the ditch.
Put size: spools for a project, cones for a machine that runs all day. Cones need a cone stand or thread holder on a domestic machine. Serger thread is sold by the cone and in color-matched sets of four.
The weight chart lists every line we carry with its fiber, weight, recommended needle and best use.
Frequently asked questions
What thread weight is best for piecing quilts?
50-weight cotton — Mettler Silk-Finish 50, Aurifil 50, Superior MasterPiece — with an 80/12 needle. It is fine enough that seams press flat and strong enough for the life of the quilt.
Cotton or polyester for general sewing?
Polyester for garments, bags and anything stressed or heavily washed; cotton for quilting cotton and anything you want to press flat and age with the fabric.
Is embroidery thread different from sewing thread?
Yes. Embroidery thread is usually 40-weight rayon or trilobal polyester with a high sheen and a bobbin thread partner. Designs are digitized for it; sewing thread in an embroidery machine sits differently and dulls the design.