Thread is absolutely essential for sewing. If you’re looking to make things, then thread is one of your vital and fundamental materials that you’ll need working with fabrics. But there are hundreds of different types of threads on the market, which are the best ones to use?
Thread Types
Today, diversity is a benchmark we all strive to achieve. It’s what makes the world interesting. The same holds true for the sewing thread market. There is a diverse selection of threads tailored to every type of project and sewer. Types of threads can be divided into societal groups – some belonging to a country fair, some to the workforce, some to fashion and the rag trade, some to the artsy side of sewing and some to the world of glitz and glamour. The main types of sewing threads are
Quilting Thread
Sewing coated with a waxy finish allows the needle to easily move through quilting, as well as the quilt and batting. The coating makes it easier to push all the way through the layers. This gives the needle a smoother movement without undue effort no matter the quilting stitch.
Embroidery Thread
Embroidery thread is designed to be used in needlepoint, cross stitch and other hand sewing projects. Depending on the thread type, it can be stranded and divided into strands for easier use of a machine or by hand. The product has a wide variety of available colors. Embroidery thread is used to stitch items together. It is available in a variety of colors and sizes, including cotton and nylon.
Cotton Sewing Thread
Cotton threads (also called sewing threads) are a common utility in textile manufacturing. They’re made from twisting the fine staples (fibers) from a cotton bowl to create a thread. There are many degrees of cotton quality, generally classified by their number of ends and picks per inch.
Polyester Sewing Thread
Polyester thread is a multipurpose fabric suitable for all types of fabric. It is a strong, durable thread that will securely sew any type of fabric in numerous industrial and art applications.
How to choose Sewing Thread Sizes
Thread comes in different weights or thicknesses which is called the thread count. If you use a thicker thread for a particular fabric, your stitches will be more visible. If you sew thicker fabrics, you may need some heavier thread. Please note that if you need to stress the seams on your project, then choose the thickest thread.
It is crucial to calibrate your sewing machine when working with different thicknesses of fabric, needles, or thread. A change in the diameter of a sewing needle, for example, may affect the tension. Always check tension after you make any adjustments to your sewing machine.
Always choose a needle with a large enough eye to fit your thread through but not so large that you will have difficulty threading your needle.
When it comes to selecting the right thread for your project, it is essential to measure the colour of the fabric you are using. Not all fabric will offer a colour match, so always choose the coloured thread that best suits your situation. Also, when using patterned fabric, think about the overall look and how any inconsistencies will affect it.
Always check that the thread and the fabric in your needlecraft project are a true match. Imprecise colour matching will result in disappointment or failure of your work.
When choosing a thread to match the fabric colour always choose the darker one. The lighter threads will be more visible and impractical, and the darker ones will help create a smoother surface and reduce contrast. When colour matching, it is best to compare the samples in natural light or daylight. When viewing colours under artificial light, the eye has difficulty making out colour subtleties and details which can result in a substantial difference in appearance of the final material.
If you’re a beginner starting out with needlework, then it’s best to stick with using colours that match the background. If the stitching is an important part of the design, you should experiment another color.
Select a shade of thread to complement both your fabric and topstitching color. Make sure the thread will be easily absorbed by your machine by sewing a few sample pieces of fabric.
Summing Up
Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced sewer, there’s a type of thread perfectly suited to your needs. There are several types of sewing threads that are used in different sewing projects. There are many different types, but they all have one thing in common – each and every last one of them is ready to be crafted into a beautiful piece of fabric!
