I have a brother machine and every time I go into my store to talk to the dealer he terrifies me about buying any kind of thread other than floriani and whatever kind of bobbin thread he sells me. So - Id actually like to purchase my stuff somewhere else because I don't want to be limited to black, white or red bobbin thread. So what weight thread do I need to look for and are there certain brands that do work better in the brother machines? I have to say that so far doing what he has said, I've not had one single blip with my machine.... I just want to do some other stuff that requires other color bottom threads that he doesn't have... I almost feel like I'm being a bad child right now and going behind his back!!!

Your dealer is feeding you a line and you're taking it hook, line and sinker. Having worked in a sewing machine store, selling machines,embroidery threads and the likes I feel like I do know what I'm talking about. You can use your same embroidery threads in top and bobbin....if you were to do any FSL you'd do this too. Some machines are cranky and only like certain threads but most of the time this doesn't factor in. You're not being a bad child you just want to see what is available to you. Spread you wings and fly it's the only way to learn. Hugs, Karen

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by katrinasheffield 17 Feb 2011

Yes - I am a sucker! I'm only afraid because in the beginning I did try to use regular thread in the bobbin thread and it did not work for shirts. I have since done a little FSL and it was ok - but it wasn't working on those shirts at all!! I have however completely ignored him concerning stabilizer and I'm trying everything I can get my hands on - I'd use waxed paper if I thought it would work! Thanks for the encouragement!! I'll keep trying. I guess the worst that could happen is I have to take it to him and have him repair it!!

I have a Brother and my dealer tells me the machines are sensitive but they don't tell me I have to buy Floriani. I have 60 weight Brother thread, 60 weight The Finishing Touch, and the prewound (package says NEBS, I don't know if that's a brand and it doesn't say the weight).

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by katrinasheffield 17 Feb 2011

There is one other brand he says I can buy - but I can't remember the name and its the same price for half as much... why would I do that?? I also wind my own bobbins because I'm cheap - his prewound bobbins are SOOOOO expensive I just won't do it. He gets so frustrated with me when I tell him that too!! I do fuss with him a bit.... :)

First off, WELCOME TO CUTE!!! When I started out on this embroidery journey, my dealer had me convinced that only the stuff he sold (no matter what) should enter my house, let alone be used in the machine. LOL, I have finally wised up! I'm no expert, but I have found it's okay to use bobbin thread when white or black will do, but most times I use the same thread that is used in the embroidery design.....I also buy my thread through Threadart, they're inexpensive, quick filling orders, and the thread is comparable to any other brands on the market. (http://www.threadart.com/shop/def...)
or whatever Jo Ann or my local quilt shop has on sale at the moment. ;-D
I hope this is of some help. *4 U

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by katrinasheffield 17 Feb 2011

Thanks for the welcome :) I was at JoAnns on Tuesday and almost picked up some thread and thought that my house would burn down if I did!! He is just so limited on colors - at least now I'm gonna give it a shot!!

I do a lot of FSL and use embroidery thread in the bobbin. I have a Baby Lock Elegante and have no problem. For regular Bobbin Thread I use prewound ones from Metro. I would purchase a small amount first to try. It sounds to me that your dealer wants to make a sale and you can't blame him.

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by pcteddyb 17 Feb 2011

I do the exact same thing (in my old 780D and my new Quattro) - use metro prewounds for black/white and embroidery thread to match the top when I want the back to look nice.

by katrinasheffield 17 Feb 2011

I don't blame him at all for trying to make money - and they have taught me a LOT - which is why I keep going back. He hasn't told me anything completely untrue and he did fix my machine for free when my cat used my automatic threader as a launcher (she put all her weight on the little button and broke it off - he replaced it at no charge when I went in for a lesson!) He just isn't completely forthcoming with as much info as I want him to be about thread!!