Why Blendables are the Bomb for Quilting
“You will love the intriguing results you get with Sulky 30 Wt. Cotton Blendables Thread.”
I remember being in a quilting class when I heard this statement. Honestly, my interest was peaked because of the word ‘intriguing’. I would never have described my quilting that way, but gosh, I sure wanted my quilting to be intriguing! So, I got some Sulky 30 Wt. Cotton Blendables Thread and tried them out. Before I tell you my thoughts on them, let me tell you a bit about the thread itself.
Blendables are different from other variegated threads for several reasons:
- They are a masterful blend of different colors within the same range of tone and intensity
- The color changes are random, and sometimes subtle, every 2-1/2 to 5 inches
- Even when the thread has multiple contrasting colors, it still seems to blend in an organic way, which truly creates a beautiful, natural look
The beauty of this randomness in the thread is there is never a pattern for your eye to find. Our eyes and brains seek patterns and when they find one, they can’t not see it anymore. That means when a pattern is there (like a traditional variegated thread), you no longer see the bigger picture of the quilt, you just see the pattern.
My Honest Thoughts on Blendables for Quilting (spoiler alert, they are awesome)
They hide a multitude of piecing sins! I am honestly not 100% sure why this is true, but it is. Maybe it’s the organic feel of the thread, maybe I somehow magically quilt better with this thread, or maybe that blending of the colors also blends well with the quilt top – and when things work together so nicely, we tend to look at the whole quilt and not nitpick the little mistakes.
As I mentioned, because they are random in both the color order and length of color, they don’t give a predictable pattern. This makes using them for natural elements in your quilt (Trees, water, clouds, etc.) the perfect choice. I love that I can thread paint in a sky, tree, clouds, water, etc. and not have to change thread colors.
They add depth to your fabric choice. A very flat fabric comes alive with Blendables on it!
The monochromatic colors add interest without distracting from the quilt top. If I want the quilting to be subtle but still interesting, the monochromatic Blendables are amazing. My favorite is Granite (733-4094).
So, have you tried Sulky Cotton Blendables yet? Comment below and tell me your thoughts. If you haven’t, why not? I promise they will make your quilt intriguing. 🙂
14 Comments
debbierhodes
I haven’t seen Them in stores. Would love to find some
Susan
I have used the Blendables for years, in both 30 weight and 12 weight. They are awesome! One of my favorite threads for quilting and decorative stitching.
Fred Drexler
They are exclusively sold in independent retail stores. If you can’t find them in a local store, order at Sulky.com.
WAM
Love them! I rarely quilt a quilt with a single color thread any more because I love what the variegated thread adds to the quilt. And, while quilting, it’s fun to see the result!
Lisa
Why are my friend and I hating it so much? Breaking, shredding in the needle are big problems.
Kelly Nagel
Oh no Lisa! My first thought is to change your needle. I use a 90 or 100 Topstitch needle when using 30 wt thread because it is so thick. https://www.sulky.com/item/organ-needles-top-stitch-size-90-5-needles-per-pack
If I am doing free-motion quilting, I also put a dot of Sewer’s Aid on the needle to help it glide through. https://www.sulky.com/item/sewers-aid-collins-5-oz-bottle
Cyndie Davidson
What weight of blendables is good for machine embroidery? I understand 30 wt is going for quilting
Ellen March
Hi Cyndie,
30 wt Blendables will work for machine embroidery as long as you choose a design that’s digitized for 30 wt. thread. The results are beautiful!
Karen Poole
I love Sulky blendables! I use them in sewing, quilting and all kinds of things. I’ve been using them ever since they were first released!
Lisa Collington
I was sold a spool of the Sulky Blendables at my local sewing machine store for hand quilting my quilt. I knticed that it’s quite a challenge to thread my needles, and the thread seems much finer than my previous waxed quilting thread I used in my last quilt. Do you have any tips for using it to hand quilt, or is there a more suitable thread?
Patti Lee
Hi Lisa – You don’t say if it was the heavier 12 wt. or the lighter 30 wt., but here are some tips for quilting with the 12 wt. Use a Size 10 Richard Hemmings Betweens needle. (I suspect you may be using a smaller needle now.) Use about an 18″ length. Coat the entire length of the thread with Thread Heaven thread conditioner. With the lighter 30 wt. you may be able to use a smaller needle. It is a wonderful thread for hand quilting…it is likely heavier than you’re used to using. But the end result is spectacular. These tips are from Nancy Bryant, co-owner of Abigayles Quiltery in North Olmsted, OH. Feel free to contact me anytime with any questions you have about any Sulky products. patti.lee@sulky.com
Lisa Collington
Hi Patti: it’s the 30 weight one I have. I have used the Gutermann Quilting thread before, which is waxed and shows up well on the quilt I finished. It’s much thicker, which I like. I think the Sulky 30 wt will be used in the machine when I make placemats.
Ellen F Buck
I have used 30 wt. thread on kitchen towels in open designs rather than fill designs, so the tread doesn’t sink into the towel fibers and the finished project is beautiful. Would open designs be an example of digitized for 30 wt. thread?
Ellen March
Most can accommodate that thicker thread weight, but double check with either the description of the design, the color chart or the digitizer/company to be sure. Or just do a test stitchout if you already own the design.