Two samples of lightweight thread – lay out the thread on the fabric to
choose the color.
Invisible (monofilament) thread in clear and smoke with a pre-wound
bobbin with bobbin weight thread
2 – Choose the right thread
Here’s a lesson for all of us. While I do try to keep all my
supplies in their appropriate place, I’ve been known to keep
threads and a few other small items with the particular project
that I was working on. Hmmmm – then when you attempt to
find your brown threads – the memory goes blank as to what
project those threads are with!
For invisible machine applique, I like to match the thread
color to the color of the applique shape. You can use invisible
thread if you like, but I find that invisible does give off a bit of
a shine and well – this is supposed to be invisible applique!
However invisible thread (monofilament thread) is a good
way to get started in invisible machine applique without
investing hundreds of dollars in thread.
My preferred thread is a very fine thread – weight of 60 to
100 that matches the color of the applique shape. There are
numerous brands of this fine thread out there and I have
been collecting them over the years.
Before you panic and think that you have to buy hundreds
of thread, remember my dilemma? I couldn’t find my brown
threads? Well no panic – let’s see what else we have that is
close. I found these two colors and while they do not look like
a match when you look at the thread on the spools, have a
look at a single strand of thread on the fabric and I think either
one of them will work very nicely.
Actually I used the darker one and can you see the stitches
on that sample I showed at the beginning? Nope – I didn’t
think so!
As I mentioned, you can also use monofilament thread
or invisible thread. There are several brands of this thread,
make sure you use a good quality one. Some of the
invisible thread can be very coarse and you don’t want that.
You want the fine delicate ones. Monofilament comes in
smoke and comes in clear.
46
QUILTsocial
.com
| issue 5
Personally I don’t use monofilament in the bobbin – I use
pre-wound bobbins (with bobbin weight thread) for my
invisible machine applique and have been known to use
two colors: black or white. If the tension is set properly
on the sewing machine then you’re good to go. Let’s just
say that I had no trouble getting a good tension on the
Sapphire 930 which makes life so much easier. Sometimes
I use the same lightweight (sometimes called bobbin
weight) thread in the bobbin that I’m using in the top. In
other words, I wind my own bobbins, but I might have one
bobbin with red thread and one with green and I use it for
any variation of those colors that I’m using on top.
Again for the color of the bobbin thread, if you don’t
have a matching thread, lay out what you have to see if it
works. Here I’m using a pre-wound bobbin with a very fine
bobbin weight black thread. You can also buy pre-wound
bobbin thread in all the colors. I’ve seen these come in one
package which makes it very economical to buy. I do use
those bobbins from time to time, but I must confess that
I’m lazy and if I can set the tension to work with the same
color in the bobbin, it saves time having to change the
bobbin.
I can’t stress this enough – but choose your thread for
the bobbin and the top wisely. Do not ‘cheap out’ on the
threads. If you can’t afford to go crazy (and who can?),
then buy a couple of basic colors of the bobbin weight
thread for your applique. You can get away with a lot
when you use neutrals. Greys, browns and taupes will
work on most fabrics. If your applique is bright – then
you may want to look at buying one spool of each of the
main colors. Whatever you do – don’t buy cheap thread!