As I have been chipping away at my honeycomb quilt I've become increasingly aware of how much I have to learn about handsewing, including but not limited to the difference between handsewing thread and machine thread. Don't know the difference? You're in the right place.

I'll start with what I'm used to- machine sewing thread.

Soft in texture and doesn't hold any particular stiffness or shaping.
Easy to find.
When it comes to machine sewing, it has been remarkably reliable.
With relatively little gusto, however, I can snap it by pulling it in two different directions.
After not terribly long durations of handsewing with it, it will invariably get worn down to the point where it can and will snap. After sewing more than three 2 1/2 inch sides of a honeycomb, the thread will snap if it hasn't already.

Now here's what makes handsewing thread different:

Relatively coarse and holds the same sort of curling around that it is held in on the spool.
I have used it for sewing machines before, and it seems to not pose any problems whatsoever.
Doesn't appear to wear away all that quickly if much at all.
I can rarely snap this thread between my two hands. The attempts have resulted in failure, pain, and cut-into fingers- I don't recommend trying this at home, I'm just a stubborn woman doing the science for you. Misplacing my scissors had nothing to do with the experiment...
I have only had this thread snap while sewing once, and that was after using the same strand for six 2 1/2 inch sides of the honeycombs, tying many knots at the end of each side, and pulling away with immense force after stabbing myself with the needle.

Though it may already be clear why handsewing thread is the way to go for my honeycomb quilt, I would like to take this moment to highlight something I address often in the crafting world. Doing things right the first time around often saves a lot of heartache. I'm feeling so much better about spending all this time handsewing these delightful hexagons together knowing that they will last longer because of the more durable thread. Yes I had to order the thread online and wait a while, but this ensures a lot of peace of mind when this quilt is finished and becomes an heirloom for my family.

Stay sweet, stay crafty, and stay tuned.

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