Thread

Most quilters use 100% cotton fabrics, so it would seem logical to use 100% cotton threads. However, since cotton is a natural fiber, it can shrink somewhat in the wash. Therefore, preferred threads are polyester or cotton-covered polyester. You might want to experiment to see which one you like better. Keep a good amount of neutral colors on hand – white, off-white, black, and gray. If you find that you tend to prefer a particular color when purchasing fabric, you might want to consider having a good supply of thread in that color. As your collection grows, you might also want to add and experiment with metallic and variegated threads for special effects.

Also available on the market is special quilting thread. This thread is thicker and stronger than normal sewing thread and can be found in a large variety of colors. You should take care, however, not to use hand-quilting thread in your sewing machine. Due to its wax coating, it could clog up your gears and damage your machine. For machine quilting, you can also find a variety of suitable threads on the market.