asked if I would like a box of threads (Brother embroidery thread - 22 colours). I looked at the price $104 and said to my hubby that I wouldn't worry about it, I would just get the threads from Spotlight (QA brand and the other one which I can't remember now). "Oh No" the dealer said because they are an inferior brand. So my hubby said alright she will get the Brother brand. The threads are great but didn't have some of the colours I needed, so I did buy the cheap threads from Spotlight. Well as can be expected the cheap threads did break a lot of the time but I did perservere.

The needle does make a difference - need one with the eye big enough to support the thread. I don't know about QA thread - I use metroemb.com thread without any issues using a 80/12 universal needle (for most things - sometimes need a sharp or ball point but generally use an 80/12 size).

Thanks for sharing - Madeira,Mettler and Guitterman are expensive in SA and most come on 100 or 150mtr reels. I have been using Marathon with standard Schmetz needles with very little problems. But it is Rayon and quite thin so I've switched to Colorfil (sold by Singer) which is polyester. They both have a lovely sheen but I think polyester is a harder wearing fibre.

1 comment

by ingrid68 12 Dec 2010

Thanks for that.

I have a Brother machine as well and when I first got it I bought up big at Spotlight - all the QA threads they had (the sets)...oh my...what stress. Constant shredding. I too have looked and looked for info about these threads. There seems to be nothing on the box nor the internet about the weight/thickness of the QA threads but I'm convinced they ARE thicker than Brother threads, which of course my machine loves.

The QA threads stressed me so much I took my machine back to the dealer, with a bunch of threads and the designs I wanted to stitch. She spent 2 hours with me trying all diff brands of threads on my machine to see what works and what doesnt. Sadly there were more my machine didnt like than those it does. She saved my sanity and I wish we'd done that much sooner. (Well before I bought all those QA threads anyway lol). I should also mention that I bought a 2nd hand machine. Its old and fussy about threads I use.

A while back I reset the bobbin tension of my machine (dont reset yours if you have a new machine) and now SOME of the QA threads will stitch without shredding, but the coverage is still not right.

Most of the time I use those super cheap spools of thread to embroider with. They dont seem to be branded, cost about a dollar per spool and really are designed for construction sewing (regular sewing machine sewing/overlocking) but you get much more thread per spool. Over here in WA you can get them at Textile Traders. While they dont have the lovely sheen of embroidery threads, they stitch out just fine. My Brother dealer uses these cheapy threads too, and it was her that suggested I use them - she also sells them :) Of course for gift giving and special items we break out our expensive Brother threads lol...oh and Brother has thread sales at Christmas time, and again for Mother's Day so thats when to buy them, usually 50% off the regular price *wink*.

One thing I'll mention about needles too, is that my dealer also said to only ever use "top stitch" needles in my machine as the eye is bigger than the other needles. Besides having the Brother machines, she also has 3 different brands of machine and uses the top stitch needles in all of them and all her stitching is lovely. I quite often drool over her work as she can do much bigger embroideries than I can (I'm stuck with 4x4 while she can go up to bigger than A4!).

I think its Alice whose machine loves QA thread so I cant wait to read what she reponds with :)

I'd like to try DBS's thread but they dont sell just one to test with, you have to buy a set :( I'm a little wary of buying stacks of thread without being able to test it out now.

Glad you're able to use up your QA threads now tho! Good luck :) xXx

2 comments

by ingrid68 12 Dec 2010

Thanks for the info about Textile Traders, I too live in WA, Rockingham to be exact. It is finally a relief to be able to use QA threads as I like you bought up big because Spotlight was clearing them out for 30% less.

by danababes 12 Dec 2010

lol figures, but still.. even on sale I wont be buying it again. urgh. Now if the cheapy threads are on sale, I'd be in on that lol.

Hi Cuties. I'm in UK and have a Janome MC11000. I do get thread breaks sometimes, and have found that Janome threads are the worst culprits as they very often shred. I use Madeira and Gutermann "Sulky" and find the latter very good. I use embroidery needles and I have used metallic needles for metallic threads, but don't get much success with them.

I also think that the density of the stitches of the design you are doing makes a great deal of difference. Obviously the more layers there are the more difficult it is for the needle to penetrate at the speed of your machine. I have my embroidery speed set to the slowest my machine will do, and usually have to set the tension lower than the default.

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by ingrid68 12 Dec 2010

I have found only one shop in my area that sells Madeira. They only sell in small spools of 500metres for close to $9 each. So the lady there recommended Hemingworth. Spools are 1000 metres for $6.95 so that is better. Thanks

Mine is a Pfaff and I used good thread such as Madeira. The amount of breakages almost put me off doing any embroidery. One day I used a Metallic Needle and it made such a difference that I rarely use any other now-and have some cheaper threads too.

1 comment

by ingrid68 12 Dec 2010

Thanks for the info, will look into the Metallic needle as I want to try metallic threads for Christmas.

I live in Australia and I get all my threads from Scrapdragon.com.au (my daughter) just because some threads are cheaper does not mean that they are inferior to the Brand names. I have tried QA with no success either. Some threads are meant to be used with a thread stand which means that they feed from the top of the spool. This eliminates breakages. Scrapdragon has a new range of colours in only yesterday, there are 112 colours in this set. Free shipping, Aust. She sells stabilizers, needles, scissors etc. Worth a look. Marg

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by ingrid68 12 Dec 2010

I have just quickly checked out the website and I have put it in my favourites so I will definitely be checking it out properly, Thanks for that

Ingrid, when I had my brother machine and used QA threads it was OK, but when the machine stopped working I was told not to use that thread with brother. Now I have Janome MB and she seems to love any brand thread I give her. I use Metro, threda threads, QA and Sarta with no problem at all. So I guess it does depend on the make of machine.
Helen

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by ingrid68 12 Dec 2010

Thanks for the comments.

Ingrid,
I have a Brother machine, and when I purchased my machine online several years ago, I thought I had to use
Brother thread. I have found that there are many cheaper threads that do as well as more expensive threads. Several months ago, I ordered Metro threads, very reasonably priced, and the colors are vibrant. Another thread I like is Admelody threads sold by BFC Designs. She is having a spectacular sale until Dec. 31st, I believe, on 1000 yds. spools for only 88 cents each.
Needles with a bit larger eye do seem to have less breakage of thread.
Just remember, more expensive does not necessarily mean better, not only with threads, but other supplies.
Angel

1 comment

by ingrid68 12 Dec 2010

Thanks for that.

QA are not very good threads. They shred and break and are all different weights.You don't always get the coverage.
I use the QA threads in my bobbin when I do FSL, just to use them up.
Here is a link of a supplier, in Melbourne. You will be surprised at the price of their threads and they are all good quality.And if your order is $150 or more there is no postage.
They also sell stabilisers.

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by ingrid68 12 Dec 2010

Thanks for the info, will check out the website aswell.

I have had my Brother SE-350 for a year now and the only Brother thread I have used is the bobbin thread but have used other brands of that also. I got some from ThreadDelight and most recently Metro and had not a bit of trouble. I also buy Coats and Clark from JoAnn's, rarely do I get any thread breakage. Good luck and keep stitching!

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by ingrid68 12 Dec 2010

Thanks for that.

I went to a dealer to get a ball-point needle to so some embroidery on a T-shirt and he told me to not use the ball-point but to use a titanium needle....he said it would last twice as long and would do the T-Shirt just fine....I bought both but tried out the T-needle first and the design went great on all 7 T-shirts and I have done more with it and he was right....the T needles will last....I found 3 to 4 times as long as a regular needle....I love them....they are more expensive, but a this rate it will even itself out and have a great result......thanks for sharing.....

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by ingrid68 12 Dec 2010

Thanks for that.

your needle will make a major difference with the threads you use, like when using metallics you should use a needle that says 'metallic' it has a much larger eye that helps the threads from tangling, and embroidery needle is sharper, so depending on the brand of needle as well as the type you bought yes in deed the needle will make the difference every time. don't be to fast to give up on the cheaper threads lots of us cuties swear by them with nary a problem, me included. Have fun with your new machine......

1 comment

by ingrid68 12 Dec 2010

I haven't tried the metallic threads yet but will definetely be trying it for Christmas. Thanks