When it comes to thread, there's more to it than meets the eye.
THREAD IS ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT SUPPLIES IN YOUR SEWING BOX. Without it, how would you embroider your favorite scarf, sew gifts or repair a ripped couch cushion?
Good thread is a great tool. Look for thread that's strong, smooth and consistent in thickness. Look at how the thread is wrapped around the spool. If it's wound crosswise, the thread design travels up and down around the spool, which reduces the stress on the thread and creates constant tension.
Basic Sewing Thread
Basic, or all-purpose, sewing thread comes in several varieties, but all of them are strong and durable and easily adjust for shrinkage.
Mercerized cotton thread is made of natural fiber that's treated with a solution that causes the fibers to swell. This increases the thread's strength and allows the dye to better penetrate the fibers. Mercerized cotton thread is best used on natural-fiber woven fabrics.
Polyester thread is synthetically produced by pressing resins that solidify as filaments through small holes in the thread. Polyester thread is ideal for knits because it's heavy duty, retains its shape, recovers stretch and is colorfast.
Silk thread is made from long continuous natural fibers that result in added durability. Silk thread is more expensive, but it's a good choice for tailoring because it stretches and doesn't leave impressions.
Machine Embroidery Thread
Machine-embroidery thread is available in various colors, textures and sizes and is designed to fill in smoothly without breaking.
Rayon embroidery thread is very strong and colorfast. It can be used for quilting, decorative stitching or embellishment. Rayon embroidery thread works best with high density woven fabrics.
Quality metallic thread is made by applying an outer coating over thin strips of rice paper. The coated rice paper is then stacked over a nylon core. Metallic thread is for decorative stitching and should be used with a larger-eyed needle specified for the purpose. It's strong enough for use on soft furnishings, decorative seams and quilting.
Trilobal polyester thread comes in single color or multicolor variations. Trilobal refers to the three lobes of polyester fiber that make the thread reflect light. This thread is usually very shiny and has a high anti-raveling property. It washes well at high temperatures and can be used universally although embroidery is its main use.
THREAD IS ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT SUPPLIES IN YOUR SEWING BOX. Without it, how would you embroider your favorite scarf, sew gifts or repair a ripped couch cushion?
