Use Questions to Consider Choices Suggestions  
  How much do I want the thread to show? As little as possible Clear threads, such as: Monopoly, Wonder Thread, Sew Art International and other similar threads  
Less than usual but still show Bottom Line, Lingerie Thread, Metrolene, Mako 80
The usual amount, perhaps a little less than grandma Masterpiece, Aurifil 50, So Fine, Polyneon, Nature's Colors, Highlights Rainbows,
Just like grandma YLI Machine Quilting, Cotona 30, Brytes, Jeans Stitch
I want it to be heavily decorative Perfect Quilter,
Quilting How strong does the thread need to be? Not very strong, it is small and will be hanging on a wall Bottom Line,Rayon threads, Polneon, metallics, everything but heavy thread  
Strong enough to get pulled around and washed Bottom Line, Masterpiece, any of fhe Superior #40 threads, King Tut, Polyneon 40,  YLI Machine Quilting and Cotton QuiltinfgThread, Sulky Cotton #30,
Very strong - it is for a small child YLI 40, King Tut
Not very strong, the quilting is close together and it will not be stressed much Rayon, Metallic, Finer threads, Blackcore
  What special effect do I want to achieve? I want some shine in the quilting Blackcore - minimal glitter polyester threads, - sheen, metallic threads - metallic look, sliver style threads - very shiny, hologram slivers - maximum glitter

 

  
I want to use a lot of quilting Use a thin bobbin thread like Bottom line, Metrolene or YLI Lingerie Thread, do not use the thickest threads, pick thread that has colors you want and that sews especially well like Aurifil Mako 50, Master piece, King Tut, YLI Machine Quilting, King Tut, any of the size 40 threads except rayon
I want the quilting to outline my elements Try these things, a contrasting color, a fluorescent thread, or a thick thread like size 12-20 cottons,
I want to do a lot of free motion quilting Use the threads that behave the best in your machine. A thinner thread is better than a thicker thread - except for special effects and for bobbin painting. Highly recommended - YLI Machine Quilting, MasterPiece, Bottom Line, King Tut, most YLI , Superior, Aurifil and Madeira Threads. Rayon should only be used where it will not deteriorate from sun, temperature extremes, laundry bleach or stress. Invisible threads are also a good option.
  How small will my quilting details be? Very small, like Diane Gaudynski Diane recommends YLI Silk #100. Bottom Line, MasterPiece, Aurifil 50 also work well.  
Not small at all Any of the threads discussed here, as long as you consider use and treatment as well as the look you want.
Minimum possible quilting For looks, choose #30 or #40 weight threads. too thin or too thick  thread will most often look out of place.
My quilt is a mini, I need to keep it in scale Either minimal quilting, or use one of the thinner threads or both.
  Do I want to wash it often? Yes Use a polyester or a colorfast cotton thread. It is worth testing the thread before hand. Even some well know threads in deep colors will bleed.  
No This is not a limiting factor then
         
Piecing What strength do I need? Quite strong, the quilt will have a lot of stress Superior cotton threads, YLI cotton, Superior So Fine  
Not really a onsideration Use anything you like
Strong enough to last through normal usage Anything but rayon, be careful about invisible nylon threads which may get brittle.
   
  Is thread compatible with the fabric? Not really a consideration, cotton fabric does not require cotton thread    
  What thickness should I use? A less than 30 weight Where fabric may be heavier (such as canvas, heavy denim)

Where the quilter wants the stitches to be highly visible (such as in sashiko)

For other decorative purposes where a heavy decorative line is desired.

  
30 weight This is the traditional weight your grandmother used. Used for almost everything at one time. Appropriate for garment sewing, home decoration products.
40 weight This is the heaviest weight of what are becoming the most used of quilting threads. For purposes like making quilts for kids or utilitiy quilts. For most general purpose household quilting.
50 weight A finer thread, often very strong depending on the particular fiber content and spinning methods. This thread excels at piecing, here it takes up less of the seam as well as quilting where the quilter wants to do very detailed designs  Ideal for smaller quilting motifs.
60 weight Thread most often used as bobbin threads, yet there are stronger versions that are being used for piecing, where it allows for a very supple seam. The very intricate designs of Diane Gaudynski are often done in these fine weight as are sheer thread paingin effects.
         
Embellishment What degree of shine do I want? Like metal Use the heavier weight metallics or the sliver type threads  
A nice sparkle The metallic threads sold by Superior, YIL, Madeira, etc. for machine embroidery.
Just a little sparkle The best fr this is undoubtedly the MAdeira black core thread. Most manufacturers have thread that have a little sparkle in it in different weights, YLI Candlelight is an example as is Halo by Superior Threads
Luminescent glow  Polyester or rayon threads. Such as the Sulky line of rayons, Madeira polyneon,
None Cotton thread, monfilaments
  What color variety do I need I just quilt kids for kids or utility quilts, very traditional Decide if you want to add more contrast to you quilt or have your sttiches blend in. Use a gray thread to blend into all cool colors and a light beige to blend into most warm colors If the blend in option is yours. Pick a thread that you and your machine like and but cones to take advantage of pricing and to run out less ofetn  
Traditional, but like to add additional artistic touches Go for threads with a lot of color variety, all different weights for different effects. The Maderia polyneon and the many Superior polyester threads (Rainbow, Nature Color, Highlight,) have a glow and many colors.
King Tut has a matte finish wich blends in, MAsterpeice which is cotton also has a lumnescence.
Don't forget the metallics, the thicker threads like Perfect Quilter and Jeans Stitch by YLI more more special effects.

 

 
More contempoary style quilts Anything goes
  Is there a special application involved? Do you need to do temporary stitching and then replace it with other threads. Ricky Tims pre-quilts his patterns with water soluble threads  and then quilts over the threads, often from the back to use larger threads Water soluble threads  
Machine trapunto can be done with water soluble thread.
Baste a quilt before machine quilting
Baste in machine applique
    Have the stitches disappear after they are stitched, but still hold the pieces together. Fusible thread that melts and fuses with ironing  
Embroidery What amount of fill do I want? To some extent thicker threads fill better. 40 or 30 weight threads, such as King Tut, Madeira Polyneon 40, Sulky 40 weights and 30 weights  
Threads with a little fuzz on them fill better, but require to you clean your machine more often. YLI Woolly Nylon, YLI Monet
   
   
  Does the pattern call for a specific weight thread? 12 weight thread Sulky 12, Perfect Quilter (17)  
30 weight thread YLI Jeans Stitch,  28 Mako Cotton , Superior Art Studio Colors
40 weight Lots of choices, Superior King Tut, Madeira Polyneon 40 weight,
YLI Machine Quilting, Superior Polyester Threads (Highlight, Nature Colors, etc.), Madeira 40 weight threads, Sulky 40 weight rayons and cottons, Aurifil Mako 40 and a number of the metallic threads which are not usually labeled with weights, but are usually of comparable thickness.
50 weight thread Superior Threads Masterpiece. Aurifil Mako 50,  Superior So Fine
60 weight thread Superior Bottom Line, Madeira Polyester 60, many bobbin threads available
Bobbin Threads Definitley take advantage of these fine, strong threads and change your bobbin less often as well as put less bulk on the back of your embroidery
  Is there a special effect that I want?  Shine There is a discussion above on the degree of shine, but the shinest are the slivers such as Superior Glitter  and Sulky Slivers, the metallics are number 2, in shiniest. Many manufacturers have metallics. The most highly recommended by Diane are YLI fine metallics, Superior Glitter Holograms, Superior Metallics, YenMet and the less shiny but wonderful Madeira "blackcore"  
Matte Matte threads have no shine. Gutermann cottons, Superior King Tut, YLI quilting threads are examples
Glow in the Dark Superior makes 4 colors of glow in the dark threads. Be prepared to make trips to the closet with your grandkids to check these out.
Fluoursecence Very bright intense colors. Some times a touch of a fluorescent in thread painting or embroidery really accents the piece,
  Variegated Really add texture and interest to your embroidery or quilting. There are two basic types, some like Superior Rainbows have regular color intervals (in this case 1" intervals), others have irregular intervals for this. I prefer the irregular intervals for satin stitching and wither for machine quilting.