Sewing with Perle Cotton balls on a sewing machine

[Jillian]

Hi!

Has anyone ever tried using Perle Cotton balls (Size 10) on a sewing machine that does decorative stitches? I've used a jeans thread size 12 before, but just straight stitches.

Was thinking of doing a crazy quilt, but I do not hand embroider.

Thanks!

 

[Marla Sandridge]

Not the balls themselves, they wobble around too much. I would suggest putting the perle cotton on a bobbin and using the bobbin where a spool of thread would normally go. I do this with regular threads all the time if I need to change a lot of colors. You can also put the perle cotton in the bobbin, but then you must sew your designs upside down. You have to fuss with your tensions a lot as well on both the needle and the bobbin. I used a size 16 needle. I found the process annoying, to tell you the truth, as I was making a heritage costume, and it took forever!

 

[thread2stitch]

Hi!

Has anyone ever tried using Perle Cotton balls (Size 10) on a sewing machine that does decorative stitches? I've used a jeans thread size 12 before, but just straight stitches.

Was thinking of doing a crazy quilt, but I do not hand embroider.

Thanks!

The Perle Cotton is definitely a thicker thread, so you'll have to make some adjustments like @Marla Sandridge suggested.
I've never tried the bobbin work, but I'd highly recommend using a topstitch or embroidery needle, something with a larger eye to handle the thread without it fraying, and you'll likely need to lower your top tension as well.
I suggest you do plenty of test runs on scrap fabric to get your settings just right before you start on your quilt.
Good luck, and I'd love to see how it turns out!

 

[thatgracieeeee]

Hi!

Has anyone ever tried using Perle Cotton balls (Size 10) on a sewing machine that does decorative stitches? I've used a jeans thread size 12 before, but just straight stitches.

Was thinking of doing a crazy quilt, but I do not hand embroider.

Thanks!

Hey, I've had some luck with a size 8 Perle Cotton for decorative stitches on my machine. It's not as cooperative as regular thread, but it definitely gives that great texture! @thread2stitch's advice about a topstitch is actually a must! I've also had to adjust my presser foot pressure to be a bit lighter, and I always use a stabilizer, even on thicker fabrics, to prevent puckering. You'll likely need to play with your stitch length and width too to make sure the thread doesn't bunch up. And yes, test runs are key! Don't even think about starting on your final project without a good-sized swatch to test on. Good luck and have fun with your crazy quilt! It's such a great project for using machine decorative stitches!

 

[sw33tspot]

Hi!

Has anyone ever tried using Perle Cotton balls (Size 10) on a sewing machine that does decorative stitches? I've used a jeans thread size 12 before, but just straight stitches.

Was thinking of doing a crazy quilt, but I do not hand embroider.

Thanks!

yeah, it's challenging alright, but there are a couple of tricks that can make it work. You'll need a topstitching or jeans needle. Perle cotton is thicker than a normal sewing thread, so a standard needle won't work and will probably cause thread breaks or skipped stitches. A size 16 or 18 topstitching needle has a larger eye and a bigger groove in the shaft, which lets the thread flow more smoothly. That's the first step to making this work without it being a huge headache
also like Marla said in the comment, bobbin work is actually the simplest and most reliable way to do this. You put the perle cotton in the bobbin and then sew your designs upside down on the back of the crazy quilt. Since the bobbin area is more open, it handles the thicker thread with much less fuss than the top threading system.

You'll get beautiful, chunky stitches on the front of your quilt without having to worry so much about top tension or thread breaking

 

[theuerdank33]

yeah, it's challenging alright, but there are a couple of tricks that can make it work. You'll need a topstitching or jeans needle. Perle cotton is thicker than a normal sewing thread, so a standard needle won't work and will probably cause thread breaks or skipped stitches. A size 16 or 18 topstitching needle has a larger eye and a bigger groove in the shaft, which lets the thread flow more smoothly. That's the first step to making this work without it being a huge headache
also like Marla said in the comment, bobbin work is actually the simplest and most reliable way to do this. You put the perle cotton in the bobbin and then sew your designs upside down on the back of the crazy quilt. Since the bobbin area is more open, it handles the thicker thread with much less fuss than the top threading system.

You'll get beautiful, chunky stitches on the front of your quilt without having to worry so much about top tension or thread breaking

Thanks for the help! I'm new to bobbin work and just started a small crazy quilt with my old Singer 99. I really want to use size 8 perle cotton. When you sew upside down, do you draw the design on the back first? And do you wind the bobbin by hand or with the machine? I'm trying not to mess up the tension.

 

[Geniusgirl]

Yep, you can run Perle Cotton #10 through a machine, but it's thick and it works best in the bobbin with regular thread on top.

 

[sewcreativeme163]

Totally agree. Perle Cotton #10 works great in the bobbin, but honestly, it's just too thick for the top thread. A regular thread really helps balance everything out.

 

[Wilhelm_Compass]

It won't handle dense satin stitches very well... thread's too bulky and the machine starts to skip or jam. Straight or loose decorative stitches can work fine, though, especially if you use stabilizer under the fabric.