Apr
9
Size doesn’t matter… but strength does
Filed Under Threads
I’ve been wanting to get back to the topic of thread content and quilter’s jail.
When I wrote about the Superior windfall back in January, Marcella asked, “Not sure what to think about mixing poly thread with cotton, won’t that put you in quilters jail?”
And Lois asked, “Where is the quilter’s jail?”
I wrote to Bob Purcell of Superior Threads and received the following reply:
“Thank you for mentioning us. Lots of great follow up comments! Regarding the “poly will tear the fabric” myth, here is an article we wrote and posting in the Education section of our website: Will Polyester Really Tear the Fabric — Truth, Tradition, or Myth?
Go read the article and be informed in your thinking. Bob points out that it’s not the thread content that matters, it’s the strength of the thread in relation to what it’s sewing. I love Bob’s analogy of the family tradition and the roast beef.
Willie ponders deeply upon thread strength and roast beef.
Now for Lois’ question, where is quilter’s jail?
I know where quilter’s jail is.
It’s in your mind, and only you can put yourself there.
For every “truth” that is told in the quilting world (or any other world) you can find a direct dispute to it. I remember when the self-adhesive sticky stamps came out, I thought, hey great, best thing since sliced bread! And then immediately there were urban legends of how they came off in the mail. I don’t think so. One time at a quilt show there was a vendor who claimed that grocery store freezer paper was full of acid and that every time I pinned through it I was pushing little dots of acid into my fabric. I chose not to swallow that on the spot, and I’ve never seen hide nor hair of the outfit since.
I think it’s better to file away bits of information in your brain, gather as much info as you can, think about it, and decide for yourself. Bob’s article is good information and food for thought. There are lots of other great topics posted in the Superior Threads Education section as well.
Until next time,
Kay
By Kay Mackenzie
P.S. I’m going to be at the Seven Sisters Quilt Show in San Luis Obispo, California, April 24-25. If you’re in the central California area, I hope to see you there!
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4 Responses to “Size doesn’t matter… but strength does”
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Thank you for the thread info!
I’m glad to hear that you aren’t going to put yourself in to quilters jail :-) It is amazing the stories that get started and spread themselves through the quilting world. I’ve horrified more than a few people with my steam using and non-prewashing ways.
I took a class a couple of months ago from Ami Simms and she uses Mettler poly. Nuff said.
Good to know what Ami uses. Thanks for that info!