Poll- Which Thread Do You Prefer?

I've been thinking a lot about thread lately.  Should I spend more for long-lasting quality or just go with the cheap-o stuff because it is just thread?

Thank you for voting! 

(If you wish to leave a reply as well, I would love more info as to why you sew with a certain brand.)

I always use coats & clark but have been thinking of using something less expensive. I'll be watching this to see what everybody else is using.

I learned several years ago, that using cheap thread is just not worth it.  I will stock up on the basics (black, navy, white & jean thread) when I see it, but for everything else I will spend the money on the good stuff.

Theresa

Hi there!
For quilting, I always use grey Gutterman silk thread.  I love the way it looks & I don't have to anquish over picking out thread colors.
Before I wash fabric, I run an overcast stitch along all the raw edges.  For that, I use the inexpensive Jo-Ann brand.

I always use Guterman. Don't use the cheap stuff - it messes up your machine. Buy the Guterman when it goes half price at Joanne's. I will rarely  use a cheaper brand when I cannot find the right color in Guterman and absolutely must have an exact color match.


****************
Please include me in FFF. Thanks!

Oh to add to my previous post, if you do use the cheaper thread on the rare occasion you cannot find the correct color in a quality thread, be sure to clean your machine well afterwards! (:


****************
Please include me in FFF. Thanks!

I think that with all of the work and money we spend on our projects, that the thread is important. I prefer Superior Threads for quitling. I am a longarm quilter. For piecing, I prefer Aurifil 50wt. I just purchased Presencia and Masterpiece to try for comparison. If you look at www.superiorthreads.com and look at the reference section, there is a great free download on thread.

I only use Gutterman.  For sewing I use the same thread color philosophy as I use with my serger.  I primarily use gray, black, cream, and white.  Those 4 colors tend to blend with just about everything and I can get away with using them for 95% of the sewing that I do.  For topstitching or anything else that will show, I buy the smaller spools of Gutterman in the multi-color packs when they go on sale at Joannes (or I use a coupon.)  Even then I tend to use color for the needle thread and a neutral in the bobbin if I can get away with it. 

My feeling is that if I'm going to spend $8+ a yard on nice fabric and spend hours smocking a dress it doesn't make sense to use cheap thread.  Even if a giant spool is $8, I can use it for several projects so the overall additional cost to each project is not much.  I can tell a difference between the Gutterman and the less expensive brands.     

I love the DMC threads.  They are better known for their embroidery floss, and their quilting thread can be hard to find in stores.  You can see some of them here:

http://www.sewartinternational.com/dmc-thread/

I prefer them over the Gutterman.  I find it to be the perfect piecing thread.  I've had to use the Gutterman in a few projects lately where I couldn't find the DMC in a hurry, and I had forgotten what a big difference there is. 

I guess I use the cheapo stuff..Coats and Clark...I'm interested in seeing more answers

i had never given my thread a second thought, whatever my local walmart has, i get that.

Same here, but I'm making a quilt and I may take the suggestion of using the silk gutterman for my decorative stitching.

I like that Gutterman has a matte finish- someone told me that Gutterman has a matte and Coats and Clark have more of a sheen- so I have always used Gutterman (just because it's the look I prefer) or Mettler if  Gutterman doesn't have the right color.

I use Gutterman or Mettler unless I can't find a good color match, in which case I use Coats and Clark. I use the Joann's coupons or I stock up with Joanns' has a 50% off sale.

I'm doing an internship in textile conservation, and one of the things I've learned is that thread quality is really important if you expect the object to last! I'm partial to organic cotton thread (available at places like NearSeaNaturals) for most projects and silk thread by YLI for hand applique.