Selecting the Correct Threads for your Sewing Adventures
There are many choices to be made when it comes to embarking on a sewing project. While it is fairly apparent that there will be some important design decisions to be made, there are also other decisions that are just as important – such as the tools and accessories, and even fabrics that you will need to use. From an ‘engineering’ standpoint, you will need to make a very important decision on the type of nuts and bolts that will hold your design together – the sewing thread.
Obviously the type of project that lays ahead of you will have a big say in the decision of what type of thread to use, but the fiber content of the thread and its compatibility with the structure of the fabric also play a huge part. As there are so many different types of threads available, from threads for darning, basting, embroidery and many other applications, a beginner can often find it very tough to choose the correct one for the task.
When considering the color of your thread, although it may seem quite obvious to select the one which best matches the fabric, it is often better to choose one which appears to be slightly darker. Threads of a similar shade to the material color have a tendency to look a little lighter when put to use. For multicolored fabrics, choose the most dominant color, or the ‘loudest’ one, for best blending.
Let’s take a look at some of the common threads, and discuss the types of projects they are most suited to.
1. Cotton Thread
Cotton is the most common thread material, and one which we all have varities of in our sewing basket. This is frequently used for sewing with cotton fabrics, as well as linens and rayons, and a medium thickness thread can be used in a wide range of projects. A word of warning, however, this type of thread has very little elasticity and may not be the strongest, so if used with stretchy fabrics you may encounter trouble with your stitches popping.
2. Silk Thread
When a thread with more strength and elasticity is called for, silk may be the one you need. It is a very fine thread, and so can form easily hidden stitches – perfect for basting. It can also be ideal for sewing knitted clothes, as well as certain stretchy fabrics.
3. Polyester Thread
Polyester is a great all-purpose thread for use on a wide range of fabrics. It is well suited for stitching synthetic fabrics as it is synthetic itself, and like the silk thread it is great for using with stretchy fabrics.
4. Nylon Thread
This is another thread well suited to synthetics, especially nylon tricot. However, it is not as strong as polyester or silk, so may not be ideal for heavier fabrics.
With these four types of thread you will be more than ready to tackle the vast majority of sewing projects. But one final warning! Steer clear of the bargain bin threads you see in almost every sewing shop – your creations are only as strong wearing as your weakest link, and if you use a thread you spent just $0.20 it is pretty easy to see where it’s likely to fail.
About the Author
There are many great sewing machines to use for your sewing projects, but check out the
Brother CS6000i computerized sewing machine
for something special.
How It’s Made Cotton yarn
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