King Tut vs Bottom Line Thread — Cotton vs Polyester

Superior Threads King Tut vs Bottom Line — Cotton vs Polyester Thread

King Tut and Bottom Line are both Superior Threads products — but they're completely different threads. King Tut is a 50wt Egyptian cotton with rich variegated colorways; Bottom Line is an ultra-fine 60wt polyester designed to be nearly invisible. Here's how to choose.

Linda's Electric Quilters Expert Comparison
King Tut Cotton Thread

Superior Threads King Tut

SKU: KING-900
$23.99 / cone
50 wt Egyptian cotton • 2,000 yards • Variegated • Heirloom quality • Slight sheen

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Bottom Line 60wt Polyester Thread

Superior Threads Bottom Line

SKU: BL-628
$13.59 / cone
60 wt polyester • 3,000 yards • Ultra-fine • Solids only • Lint-free

Shop Bottom Line

Head-to-Head Comparison

Feature King Tut Bottom Line
Fiber Egyptian cotton King Tut Polyester Bottom Line
Weight 50 wt 60 wt — finer Bottom Line
Colors Variegated & rich solids King Tut Solid colors only
Yardage 2,000 yds 3,000 yds Bottom Line
Price per yard $0.012/yd $0.0045/yd Bottom Line
Visual impact High — thread is the star King Tut Low — nearly invisible
Show quilts Outstanding King Tut Good for blending
Bobbin use Good Outstanding Bottom Line
▶ Our VerdictKing Tut is a statement thread — the beautiful variegated colorways and Egyptian cotton quality make it a feature of the quilt, not just the construction. Bottom Line is the opposite: it hides. Choose King Tut when you want the quilting design and thread color to show; choose Bottom Line when you want texture without visible thread.

Who Should Choose Which?

Choose King Tut if you…

  • Want thread color as part of the design
  • Love variegated color changes across quilting rows
  • Make show quilts or heirloom pieces
  • Use cotton thread on cotton quilts
  • Want a premium hand-feel cotton thread

Choose Bottom Line if you…

  • Want thread to blend into the quilt top
  • Need a fine bobbin thread
  • Prefer lint-free polyester
  • Do high-volume quilting on a budget
  • Want maximum yardage per cone

Frequently Asked Questions

Is King Tut Egyptian cotton really different?

Yes — Egyptian-grown extra-long staple (ELS) cotton produces a stronger, smoother, more lustrous thread than standard cotton. King Tut uses certified ELS cotton for its superior quality.

Can I use King Tut on a longarm?

Absolutely — King Tut is one of the most popular longarm threads. The 50wt weight works beautifully for pantographs, feathers, and custom quilting.

Does variegated thread look good on all quilts?

It depends on the quilt top. Variegated thread looks stunning on solids and low-volume prints; on busy multi-color prints it may get lost. Test a sample before committing to a full quilt.

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Expert longarm advice • Trusted since 1999

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