A hand quilting thread needs to be smooth, non-springy, with as little lint as possible. Lint (fluffiness) on the cotton thread causes annoying loop knots to form as the quilter is stitching. Hand quilting thread also needs to be wash and UV safe so that quilts will last a long time whether laundered or put on display. For bed quilts, quilting thread should not be stronger than the fibres from which the quilt itself is made. If an exuberant child jumps on a quilt, it is far better to have a thread snap than to have the fabric itself rip away from the seam at the point of pressure. Quilting thread needs to be very consistent in thickness, as it is hard work to stitch with an inferior quality thread that runs thick and thin down its length. We recommend 100% cotton thread for hand quilting, mercerised and made from long staple cotton fibres. All the brands below fit the bill. Remember -- any spool marked 'machine quilting' is also suitable for hand quilting. The label of 'machine' on a thread is there to indicate that the thread is not glazed or waxed, as coated threads cannot be used in a sewing machine.

Aurifil 28 Thread - 750m - 100% Cotton	Gütermann 100% Cotton Hand Quilting Thread, Glazed Glazed quilting thread developed specifically for hand quilting	King Tut by Superior
YLI Hand Quilting Thread - Glazed A 40/3 Ply 100% Long Staple Egyptian cotton hand quilting thread with a unique glaze. (Cannot be used for machine quilting.)	YLI Machine Quilting Note: This is also an excellent thread for hand quilting