quilting with transparent nylon?

[zenochka]

Hello! I am making a quilt for someone and she wants it quilted with transparent nylon. Have the quilt top done and all the layers basted together. Just wanted to know if there were any tips for quilting with it before I start? Never tried quilting with the transparent nylon before. Thanks!
Cheryl

[TheDishclothQueen]

I'm not sure that's a great idea.  I guess I'm concerned with how that's going to effect the fabric.  It seems like over time, it will cut the fabric and the quilt will disintegrate.  Anyone else?  Or am I being crazy?

[j_en]

Your question intrigued me because I have high hopes of one day doing a lot of quilting (but I'm snowed under with other things right now).  In the meantime I read a lot of quilting books and I'd heard of this thread and the way it eliminates need for matching thread colours.  Of course, the only quilting book I own (The Complete Idiot's Guide to Quilting) doesn't mention it anywhere I can see.  Anyway, had a look online and found Thread Theory at http://www.quiltbus.com/threadtheory.htm.  There is an information section on the invisible threads.  I'd suggest contacting a guild too, as they would be bound to have members who will have tried the stuff and might be happy to tell (or show) their results and any tricks or tips.  I hope you will post a picture of the finished work.  I love spending study time furtively flipping between my half-written essays and photographs of handmade quilts!

[Stephannie]

I've machine quited with transparent nylon, and I don't think that the end result is all that bad.  It's tricky becasue the nylon breaks very easily.  If you use a stitch that is too small then you may get tearing over time.  The only thing that I'm not a fan of with the stuff is that any intricate stitching/quiting you do isn't as noticable because you can't see the thread.  And, you see more needle holes.  But, if that's okay then sew away!  Be sure to use a monofilament though.

[Homerof2]

I've quilted my last few quilts with clear nylon thread and love it!

Especially for stitching in the ditch because if you aren't perfect and miss the ditch, the thread doesn't show up.

What I did was used the clear on the front and a thread that matches the back on the back.

A lady at the local quilt store was the one that got me into this and her only recommendation was that I try it on a scrap piece before starting to quilt to make sure that my machine would recognize the clear thread (I guess some don't).  Also to make sure the tension is proper - in other words, try it on scrap and make all the adjustments before starting.

The thread I used never broke no matter how small my stitches were, maybe different brands act differently.

[dee521]

i've used transparent thread and i like it a lot too. actually i've never had a problem with it breaking. i'm fairly new to quilting so i first used it b/c like the other poster said i was having trouble stitching straight in the ditch. sure you can see some needle holes if you really look for them, but i think it also looks nice b/c it blends in so well that it doesn't detract from the block. the only thing that is a b*tch about the thread is that you're working with invisible thread. i needed a lot of light to thread the machine and i was very careful cutting off my strands so i didn't have stuff in the carpet for the cat to eat. but i like using it overall.

[cmoore]

I have also used it. Some nylon thread is lighter weight than others; try to get one that is a little heavier to minimise breaking. You might have to lower the top tension of the piece as well. Also use a lighter weight cotton thread for the bobbin, as it can pull through to the fromt if too heavy.
As mentioned, the quilting will not be as obvious, and invisible thread can sometimes be a pain to work with, but it shouldn't do to much damage.

 Oh and don't iron the quilt on too high a temperature, as I found out...

[zenochka]

thanks for all the tips! I tried it on pieces of scraps with the same fabrics and batiing I'm using and like the way it turned out so tomorrow I'll start quilting the quilt!  I'll post a pic when I'm all done!
Cheryl

[zenochka]

I posted a pic of the finished quilt in the completed quilts section, it's the princess quilt. The transparent nylon wasn't that bad at all to work with. I definitely plan on using it again for another quilt!!
Cheryl