What cotton thread is best for mending a quilt binding? 3-ply vs 2-ply

Quilt binding lives a hard life. 

What thread weight is best for mending a quilt binding?

This quilt, Strike Zone, is a case in point. Strike Zone was finished in 2010 and is frequently used—on the couch, in the recliner, around the shoulders. It’s a large lap-size, raw-edge appliqué, flannel quilt with a cotton backing and binding, and a cotton batting. It has a nice drape, is soft, snuggly, and well-loved.

Stitches are broken and the binding has pulled away from the body of the quilt.

As with Strike Zone, the binding edge of a quilt is the part that gets tucked under, tugged, folded, wrapped around cold feet (yes, with slippers still on), and gripped during every use. Unlike interior quilt seams, the binding endures more tension and wear. So, when I was notified that Strike Zone’s binding needed a little TLC, the thread choice was especially important for mending the areas that were breaking away from the body of the quilt. 

Understanding thread weight and ply 

In my recent Intro to Free-motion Quilting class, my students and I talk about thread weight and ply. Understanding what these terms mean is valuable when choosing threads for certain quilt-making tasks. For the task of mending a quilt binding, I’m focusing on 50 wt thread. 

• Weight has to do with thread thickness. It’s calculated by determining the number of kilometers of [one ply of] a thread that is needed to equal 1 kilogram of weight. 50 kilometers, in this case of a 50 wt thread. 

In the thread weight numberingsystem, a higher number means a finer thread. In the range from 12 wt (quite thick/heavy) to 100 wt (very, very fine), 50 wt sits somewhere in the middle of the pack and is commonly used for piecing and quilting. 

Comparison of a 50 wt 2-ply cotton thread, a 50 wt 3-ply, and 40 wt 3-ply.

• Ply refers to how many strands are twisted together to create the finished thread.

Illustration of “ply.” From Harmony Yarns.

In other words: 

• 50 wt 2-ply = two fine strands twisted together 
• 50 wt 3-ply = three fine strands twisted together

Even though both are labeled “50 wt,” the 3-ply version is typically rounder, stronger, slightly thicker, and more substantial.

A 3-ply 50 wt cotton thread from WonderFil Threads. 

Lesson learned

When deciding between 50 wt 3-ply cotton thread and 50 wt 2-ply cotton thread for quilt binding, the answer was much clearer during the mend than it was at the time the binding was initially attached. The answer for mending a binding was a resounding 50 wt 3-ply! I wish I would have chosen a 3-ply thread initially over the 2-ply that was used. (It was probably a color-match reason originally for using the 2-ply.) But I’ve now learned this lesson. 

Strike Zone’s label also needed mending.

Why 3-ply is a winner for quilt bindings 

A 3-ply cotton thread has a rounder, denser, and stronger structure that tolerates use and wear much better. Its structure is less likely to pop or snap under tension. Over time, 3-ply generally survives use and care of the quilt’s binding longer. A weak or overly delicate thread can fail long before the repaired binding fabric wears out again. 

For longer-lasting bindings, and fewer repairs, stronger thread is usually the smarter choice. Especially for: 

• everyday quilts 
• children’s quilts 
• bed quilts 
• frequently washed quilts 
• donation or charity quilts 
• utility quilts 

The 3-ply thread will definitely outlast the 2-ply on this quilt.

When to consider a 2-ply thread?

Even though 3-ply is preferable for the quilts I make these days, there are situations where 2-ply might be advantageous for certain projects. 

Three cotton threads (from left): 50 wt 2-ply, 50 wt 3-ply, 40 wt 3-ply.

Vintage or Antique Quilts. Older quilts can have worn or fragile cotton fabrics that no longer tolerate firm stitching. A softer 2-ply cotton thread can be more gentle, flexible, and reduce the risk of damaging or tearing weakened vintage fabrics. 

For antique quilts and delicate vintage textiles, preserving the textile is often more important than maximum strength and durability. 

Invisible Hand Stitching. If you’re repairing a quilt with tiny hand stitches—such as a vintage or heirloom quilt—and want the stitches nearly invisible, 2-ply can blend more easily into the cotton fabrics. A 2-ply cotton thread creates flatter stitches and has less surface visibility. It’s a bit more subtle and can provide a softer hand—but to the detriment of thread strength. 

Not for garment sewing! On a side note, I will not use a 50 wt, 2-ply cotton thread when sewing garments. Another lesson learned from a real life experience. Use a thread with a poly content—either a cotton covered poly core or an all-poly thread. (It will prevent the back seam of your pants from splitting!)

Final Thoughts 

For most cotton quilt bindings and repairs, a 50 wt 3-ply cotton thread is the safer, long-term choice because quilt edges endure constant stress and abrasion.

Strike Zone, a flannel, ragged edge appliqué quilt.

The best binding repairs don’t just hold the quilt together—they preserve the character, flexibility, and life of the quilt itself.

Winter of Care and Repair: carrying the process forward

From the quiet stillness of the winter solstice in December 2025 to the first breath of the spring equinox this past Friday, March 20, I participated once again in the Winter of Care and Repair Challenge. It's a simple but meaningful practice to care for what we already have. 

Winter of Care and Repair: mending blue jeans with an inside patch and running stitches.

Mending: a stitch in time…

Over these past three months, I worked my way through a variety of mends (my favorite form of C&R). Each mend may be small on its own but is powerful in accumulation. These are my successes:

• I strengthened a pair of my soft-with-wear jeans through slow stitching (shown above),
• patched holes in several socks, 
• extended the life of a favorite purse by repairing its handle, 
• gave new structure to bath towels with fresh hems,

Mending socks with Scanfil mending thread.

• hemmed a pair of jeans for a BIL (who has a very short inseam),

Shortening a pair of jeans.

• and mended a silk drawstring travel bag that hold my slippers in my suitcase.

Repair of my drawstring travel bag for my slippers.

Some repairs felt especially satisfying. The most meaningful project was repairing a quilt that I made for a BIL (Brother #2) by adding new appliqué patches to worn blocks and attaching a new binding over frayed edges where needed.

Worn fabrics and holes in a much-loved quilt.

Each new patch was carefully needle-turned and appliquéd to match the seam lines of the patchwork below. After the new fabrics were applied, I re-quilted the areas, trying to blend the new quilting with the previous quilting motifs and join the new quilting lines with the existing.

“Checks and Balances” with new appliqué patches attached.

An additional (new) label documents the repair, so this quilt now carries both its history and its renewal.

Original label (right) and new label to document the quilt’s story.

Home maintenance

The Winter of Care and Repair extended beyond fabric. We turned our attention to home, specifically the kitchen. We repaired a door hinge on the refrigerator and I tightened the screws on a wiggly door handle. It was practical work that ultimately saved a significant expense by avoiding the need for replacement. These moments of maintenance reinforced just how much value lives in a little attention. 

Paper recycling

This season also included recycling and creative paper reuse. 

Two junk journals made with discontinued sales boards and recycled brown packing papers.

I made several junk journals from recycled paper and old sales materials, transforming what might have been waste into something both functional and expressive. 

• One journal was used for Junk Journal January, 
• two pocket-size journals hold space for drawing and sketching (shown above), and 
• the most current journal is for my “Scrap a Day”100 Day Project. 

Handmade journal using recycled papers.

These handmade books have already become my go-to books for journaling and drawing. And making them helps me practice various hand bookbinding techniques.

A second life for fabric scraps

Another meaningful project in the Winter of Care and Repair entailed the making and giving from materials I have on hand. Using scraps and discontinued fabric samples, I created several charity quilts—

• three to provide warmth for the outside cats, 
• two for a work associate who cares for her own cats and several outside cats,
• and I have three quilt tops awaiting my quilt guild’s charity Cuddle Quilt workshop where I can get them basted. 

Two quilts made from recycled fabric samples and fabric scraps from my stash.

Two small scrappy kitty quilts for the outside cats.

These quilts, made from remnants, became acts of care that extended beyond my own home, reminding me that even the smallest scraps can be gathered and made into something purposeful and kind. 

Changing a mindset changes relationships

What I’ve learned through this season is that repair is not just about objects. It’s about relationships—to our belongings, our resources, our family and friends, our habitat, and our habits. It’s about resisting the ease of disposal and rediscovering the satisfaction of stewardship… choosing restoration over replacement.

As spring 2026 begins, I’m carrying this practice of Care and Repair forward. It’s a mindset and part of how I want to move through the world: attentively, mindfully, resourcefully, and with respect for what I already have. Because small acts, over time, can make a big difference.

Winter solstice begins the Winter of Care and Repair

Today, on the winter solstice—the longest night and shortest day of the year—I’m taking the Winter of Care and Repair Challenge again. It feels right to start this Challenge at this time of the year—the quiet hinge between the seasons—when the night has stretched as far as it can and the slow return of longer days begins. 

Winter of Care and Repair 2025.

From December 21, 2025 to March 20, 2026, the Winter of Care and Repair Challenge carries us through winter’s dormancy to arrive at the spring equinox, when balance returns and the days and nights meet again. The Challenge was created by Jeanna Wigger, @thepeoplesmending, and co-author of the book, “Stitch it Don’t Ditch it.” It’s an invitation to slow down during the three months of winter to focus on tending to what we already have—belongings, relationships, self, or community. 

Winter of Care and Repair, IG post @thepeoplesmending.

This is the third time I’m participating in the annual Challenge. I like that it doesn’t have a strict set of rules. Participants choose their own pace and projects—mending clothes and linens, repairing household items, finishing neglected works-in-progress, prepping a garden for Spring planting, or simply caring for the tools and materials that support us in our everyday lives. 

Basically, the heart of the challenge is “care instead of consumption, and mindfulness instead of haste and waste.” Some people document their work on social media [#winterofcareandrepair2025], others keep it private. If you’d like a WoCaR [Winter of Care and Repair] tracker, visit Check Your Thread @checkyourthread, for a downloadable tracker. 

Mending a frayed binding on a quilt.

My hands are already busy with this challenge as my current mend is repairing a frayed binding on this well-loved quilt. 

Repairing worn areas with new 4-patches.

I’ve repaired the center section with appliquéd patches over worn areas, darning a few holes, and lastly, working on the binding. It’s been slow, mindful work, honoring the warmth through the years it has already given. Each stitch is a small promise to keep this special quilt useful and in good condition.

New pillowcases.

Alongside mending, there’s making. New pillowcases came together today as a Christmas gift for a special friend—a simple, practical gift made with love and care. The fabric was chosen with her in mind: chickadees and dogwood blossoms. This is a reminder that repair isn’t only about fixing what’s worn, but also about creating comfort and maintaining connections with special people. It’s perfect that this Challenge coincides with the Christmas season. 

As we settle in for winter, I’m inviting the rhythm of “care and repair” to be a guide. Mend what’s frayed, make what’s needed, and move gently through the season until Spring returns.

 

Restoring a not-so-old quilt with appliqué… and perseverance

There’s a certain kind of beauty that only use over time can create. You see it in wooden floors softened by decades of footsteps, in favorite books with cracked spines and bent and rounded corners, and—if you’re a quiltmaker—in a quilt that has been used daily for over 15 years. 

Worn areas of a 2010 quilt that is in need of restoration.

This quilt, called Checks and Balances, and a gift to one of my brothers-in-law, turned fifteen this year. And like anything that’s lived life for over a decade and a half—and not been kept in a box or a chest—it is showing its age in the most endearing (and challenging) ways.

Holes and worn areas of a 15-year-old quilt.

The evidence of all that living is undeniable: 

• some fabrics have thinned to non-existance with the batting showing through, 
• a few holes went through to the backing, 
• there are several well-worn and slightly faded areas. 

I’m stepping into the role of caretaker to gently restore these areas to extend its life.

Appliqué to the rescue

I determined that appliquéing patches was a better solution to the quilt repair rather than unstitching and taking out older fabrics to totally replace the patchwork with new. If you’ve ever repaired a vintage or antique quilt, it’s not uncommon to find older quilts “inside” a vintage quilt. 

Going from “color memory,” I picked up yardage of several blue and red fabrics while I was traveling for work this past week. There was no way to identify nor find exact replacements for the thinning fabrics, so Checks and Balances is being introduced to new fabrics.

Auditioning new fabrics to replace (or cover) the worn patches.

The 4” patches from new fabrics will be hand appliquéd over the worn/frayed/faded patches. Even though the original alternate block was all from the same fabric, I decided that the restored quilt will be even more scrappy—with appliqués of new fabrics of different prints. The variety in color, print, and value will also help meld the old with the new.

New fabric patches laid over the worn areas.
There will be a lot of hand appliqué needed to restore this quilt.

A stitch in time …

There are quite a few areas in need of a refresh and the appliqué is being done by hand. These areas will also need quilting (likely free-motion by machine), so Checks and Balances will be in the repair shop for a while.  

When my husband brought the quilt to me for repair, he mentioned his brother’s comment, “… I’ve slept under it every night since I got it.” Oh, geeze… I’m sorry to break a 15-year record, but every race car has to go into the pit for a pit stop to keep it in the race. I promise that Checks and Balances will be back on the bed as quickly as possible.

My third Make Nine finish: mending a vintage quilt

In 2023, I put a new binding on this vintage quilt. During the recent Winter of Care and Repair Challenge, it received a few more patches and mends. I’m certain it won’t be the last time this vintage quilt gets an appliqué over a worn area.

Vintage quilt.

Collaborating with Anonymous

I have a fondness for this quilt! It’s been on the bed for several years. I like its scrappy, make-do, improvisational nature—and that of its maker. While I don’t know who made the quilt, I’m happy to care for it, mend it, keep it in good condition, and preserve the original maker’s work. A happy collaboration with an anonymous quilter!

The quiltmaker had an interesting stash of fabrics to work with for this scrappy quilt.

The original quiltmaker evidently had an eclectic stash of scraps and apparently some yardage (the red and blue prints used for the alternate blocks) for this project. I’m guessing the prints are probably from the 1940s and 1950s. Some fabrics (especially the stripes) appear to be from shirts. The feed sack backing could possibly be from an earlier time. 

Feed sack backing of a vintage quilt.

I came to find out through making a few of the repairs, that the middle layer is not a batting. It is some sort of woven textile or a blanket. Another make-do attribute of this quilt! So even though this quilt is thin, it’s heavier than one with a cotton batting.

Mixing in new fabrics

On a sales call earlier this year, I saw a quilt displayed in a quilt shop. Several of the fabrics had a retro vibe to them… which reminded me of my vintage quilt. Walking the aisles of the shop, I perused all the bolts of fabrics and purchased several prints that I thought had similar colors and patterns reflective of the fabrics in my vintage quilt.

Purchased new fabrics (left). The tiny floral (far right) is from my stash.

Several of the fabrics I chose are from fabric collections that I rep. It was interesting to focus on individual prints and pull them away from the other coordinating fabrics. Taken out of their original context, they took on a new meaning for me.

The mends

Here are photos of the worn and torn places of my vintage quilt, along with the mends that were made.

Holes and worn areas.

I actually had to unpick part of the binding to make the repair to this area.

Preparing the appliqué patches and the unpicked portion of the  binding.

Patched and mended.

Worn area.

Appliquéd patch with new hand quilting.

After appliquéing the patches, I followed the existing lines of hand quilting to quilt, secure, and blend in the new patches.

A Make Nine 2025 finish

2025 Make Nine tracker with the Mend/Upcycle prompt. March 30, 2025.

One of my Make Nine 2025 prompts is a Mend/Upcycle prompt. I’m counting the mends on this quilt, as well as my participation in the Winter of Care and Repair, to fulfill this prompt. 

Now that I have a curated bundle of vintage-inspired fabrics, however, I’m itching to follow Anonymous’ block pattern and make a few blocks of my own. Maybe coordinating pillowcases with a scrappy cuff are in my future. That would be a fun, easy, and purposeful project.

The 2024-25 Winter of Care and Repair concludes

Participating in the Winter of Care and Repair Challenge, held from the Winter Solstice to the Spring Equinox, makes me mindful of taking time to extend the life of textiles, home goods, garments, and other useful items. It also makes me keenly aware of upcycling and recycling efforts, keeping things out of landfills, and minimizing unnecessary waste.

The toe of one sock mended with a wool mending thread.

How I fared with the Challenge 

This Challenge started last December and ended this month on March 20, the Spring Equinox. My pledge for the 2024 - 2025 included textile mends and repairs, upcycling and repurposing, organizing my fabric stash, using scraps (rather than tossing them), and office tidying.

The zipper seam in a pillowcase

Mended zipper seam.

Textile mending

This winter, I did manage to mend a few garments and household textiles:

• mending a hole in a pair of socks,
• repairing the zipper seam of a pillowcase,
• reinforcing seams in pants and shorts,
• mending several worn or torn patches in a vintage quilt.

Holes and shredded areas of a vintage quilt.

Appliquéd patches over the worn areas.

Upcycling/recycling

I upcycled/recycled old paper sales materials and paper catalogs into two Junk Journals. I gifted one to my cousin and used the other in this year’s Junk Journal January Challenge. I continue to use my junk journal for slow drawing, watercolor play, and hand lettering.

Junk Journal made with recycled papers.

Here is a flip-through of one of the junk journals.

Fabric scraps

I didn’t get much fabric stash organizing done, but did complete 4 scrappy kitty quilts in December and donated an additional 16 kitty quilts to two local animal hospitals at the end of February. The quilts were made of orphan quilt blocks [a repurposing effort], discontinued fabric samples, fabric scraps, and the bindings were pieced and scrappy as well.

Scrappy quilt tops for charity quilts.

Two additional kitty quilts went to our gang of outside tuxedo kitties—to care for the fuzzy ones at our house.

Scrappy quilt bindings.

I’m also using fabric bits and scraps from various improv quilting projects in this year’s 100 Day Project, the 2025 Stitch Book with Ann Wood. Here is one of the pages.

A page from my 2025 Stitch Book using fabric scraps.

Office tidying

The response to this goal wasn’t as prolific as I had hoped for the home office, but I did do a a clean-up of my “mobile office” (my car). The vacuuming efforts in the back where my sample suitcases go, and the carpets in the front seats were welcome sights!

Care and Repair take-aways

Jeanna, from The People’s Mending [@thepeoplesmending], is the creator of the Winter of Care and Repair challenge. She wrote a synopsis of her 5-year experience and posted a list of take-aways. The ones I resonate most with are:

• It’s going to take less time than you think.
• It’s going to take more time than you think.
• If it’s worth repairing, it’s worth repairing right… even if you have to redo it.
• Repairing is caring.
• To speed up, slow down. Or, “the hurried-er I go, the behind-er I get.”
• Practice makes better: the more you do, the more you learn, the better you get.
• You can do anything, but not everything, and that’s OK.

I try to remember to give myself the grace to do what I can. Because all the small acts do add up.

The winter solstice and a season of textile Care and Repair

Today is the shortest day of the year—the winter solstice. Tomorrow, there will be a wee bit more daylight… and a wee bit more the following day… until the spring equinox. The winter solstice also marks the beginning of Winter of Care and Repair.

Winter of Care and Repair Challenge for 2024 - 2025.

A Winter of Care and Repair pledge

My pledge for this year’s three-month Winter of Care and Repair Challenge is much like last year’s. The main focus is on textiles with the addition of household care.

• textile mending and repairs
• upcycling and repurposing
• organizing my fabric stash
• minimizing scraps
• and this year, an effort to find time to tidy up my home office.

To start off the Care and Repair season, I’m donating four scrappy quilts to our local veterinarian and animal hospital.

Scrappy quilts for cats and dogs.

I use improv patchwork and fabric scraps to make these little quilts for the animals at the vet. The quilts are fun to make, stress-free, and go to both my Care and Repair pledge to repurpose and upcycle as well as providing care for the four-legged fuzzy ones.

Scrappy quilt backs.

Two of these quilts have flannel backings.

Free-motion quilting.

The quilts are free-motion quilted and the bindings are attached by machine with a narrow zigzag stitch.

Machine bindings using a narrow zigzag stitch.

The mending pile

I have begun gathering items in need of mending or repair. The Care and Repair Challenge is a perfect motivation to keep household items, clothes, and other textiles in good working order.