I use Aurifil 50 for piecing and usually use an off white color for everything unless the fabric is very dark. I use a size 80/12 needle for piecing.
I quilt on a short arm machine and use a size 16 or 18 needle with # 50 thread to match the color of the quilt top. I have a variety of thread to use for quilting.
Linda OH

I use an 80/14 Sharp needle for piecing and either Coats & Clarke or Connecting Threads all purpose thread. I'm not sure of the weight, but I tend to use the same color for all piecing, usually gray or tan. I tend to use the same thread for quilting but sometimes will buy either variegated or blendables in a similar weight if I'm going for a different look. I have never changed the needle size to accommodate the thread.

Did you see my eyes glaze over? Happens everytime when a discussion of thread or needles comes up. I just can't 'get it'!

But here's what I do...
I use serger cone thread for piecing. I have white, cream, tan, black, navy, grey and dark green. I choose the one closest in color when I can. Sometimes I don't think about it and stick with white or cream that's already threaded.
I use a universal needle for just about everything (except metallic).

I also use this cone thread for the bobbin, unless I'm machine quilting, then I might remember to throw in some of my Bottom Line thread that I only have a few colors of.

Quilting thread I try to match to the fabrics, sometimes changing threads on different parts of the top. I've also used varigated and mettallics.

I usually use an 80/14 sharp for piecing. Until recently I used Coats & Clark thread because it was available locally. But now I can't get it so I may be experimenting with some new ones. I like to use an off white or light gray for piecing and quilting. Sometimes I will match the top or get fancy and use a glow-in-the-dark or variegated for quilting.

beverly

Q: What types and weights of threads do you like to use?
A: All of them! For machine quilting I've used everything except metallics: 100% cotton, 100% silk, cotton/poly blends, rayon, nylon. For piecing I usually stick to 100% cotton.

Q: Do you tend to sew all quilts with one color (like a light gray) or do you coordinate thread with the quilt color?
A: For piecing, I usually use a medium neutral color. For machine quilting it depends on the quilt. I've done tops with one color and tops where I've changed colors literally dozens of times. I think the most elaborate project in terms of changing colors was over 3 dozen different colors.

Q: Do you use 'regular' thread for quilting or specialty threads?
A: Yes. See answer to the first question. 8^) I usually choose thread by color, so whatever gives me the color I need is the thread I'll use.

Q: Do you pay attention and change needle size if you are using a heavier thread?
A: Yes. That's a necessity if you want to avoid problems. I don't usually bother with "quilting" needles, I've found that a size 14 needle will usually handle any thread I throw at it.

I usually use either light, medium (neutral) or dark depending on what I'm piecing. I tend to make quilts with lots of different colors, so it's hard to match to any one color when piecing. (When I do appliqué, I try to match very carefully.) IÂve used cotton, cotton/poly blends and some silk.

I usually use regular thread for quilting. Usually I quilt my tops with the same color, but I have changed color before on different parts of the quilt.

I only pay attention to the needle size when I start having problems! Usually this happens when I'm FMQ.

Annie said, "I've found that a size 14 needle will usually handle any thread I throw at it." If this is the case, why can't you use a size 14 all the time?

Thanks,
Lola

Actually, most of the time I do. I will sometimes switch to a smaller needle for very fine threads like rayon or silk.

For most things I use size 50 thread and usually pc. with gray but sometimes I will used a cream or tan.
When I quilt I have used different threads depending on the top. I really don't have a rule, I just try and see what works. For the back I use a co-ordinating color in the bobbin.
For pc. I use a #12 or #14 needle but for quilting I usually use a quilting needle or something heavier for FMQ.
On the last quilt I FM I broke 6 needles so I am no expert on choosing the right one.
I do think about what needle to use with different threads but most quilting doesn't require me to do that often.
Jayne

For piecing, I use dark, med or light neutral thread, whatever works the best. I've been using #14 needle and that works best for me. Since Mary mentioned them, I've gotten spoiled on those filled bobbins from Connecting Threads! For the actual quilting, I use whatever thread I have that will look good.

One thing that I do have trouble remembering is to change the needle! It has usually started 'snapping' the fabric drawing my attention to it. Pitiful!

Sharon

Sharon - change your needle!

Don't you just love those pre-wound bobbins, LOL. Truly a time-saver.

I piece with mostly white or off white thread. I sometimes use a gray if my block background is dark.

For quilting, I use whatever thread looks good.

I have a large cone of cream color cotton thread I piece everything with. I will switch for black. It is a 50 wt. I use different threads for quilting because that is a different machine and the tension just doesn't like certain ones. It seems to do best with Mettler and Aurofil. I like the topstitch or microtex sharps needles. Like Sharon, I forget to change but am trying to do better.

I use the white coats thread from Wal-mart. I usually use the Between Quilting needles size 7. Right now I am using a between 10, it seems to be sooooo small..LOL

I use all purpose thread for piecing the top together. I notice I usually always use white thread for piecing the top and also for quilting.

Deb