what kind of thread to use

[Spidylegs1]

Hi i just started sewing patches on leather jackets & vests i purchased a singer 29-4 & a singer 31-15 im using a 140/22 size needle. what kind of thread & what weight thread would be best for me to use?

Thanks

[Luke Hatley]

i use size 69 thread on both machines ..... top and bottom.

colors in this size i get at Hancocks or Hobby Lobby. small spools of Nylon Upholstry

thread.

[Bree]

+1 I do the same work in my business and have been doing it for many years. #69 bonded nylon is the best way to go. Both machines will like it. I have about 30 spools of it on hand in various colors and it has never let me down. If you have something that will be constantly exposed to UV, switch to #69 poly for its better resistance to UV radiation.

The needle might be a little large but you can experiment on what works best with your machines. There is no hard and fast rule. If you start skipping stitches, change your needle size. If you start fraying/breaking thread, change your needle size.

These are both treadle machines so you won't need a servo motor. If you upgrade to a modern high speed machine like a Juki 1541 or Consew 206 make sure to get a servo motor. It is essential for this kind of work as it requires stitch by stitch control.

[Spidylegs1]

Thanks for the info i just got the 31-15 & it does have a motor on it . Should i be using a different size needle?

hey i also see you dont live too far away from me im just the east side of Rochester & i ride a 2001 dyna wide glide.

Im new to this site but it seems very helpful so far.

[Bree]

Thanks for the info i just got the 31-15 & it does have a motor on it . Should i be using a different size needle?

hey i also see you dont live too far away from me im just the east side of Rochester & i ride a 2001 dyna wide glide.

Im new to this site but it seems very helpful so far.

I would try a smaller needle... with #69 thread you can use between a 100 and a 120. The 140 is really better for #92 or even #138 in some cases. I would try an 18/110 and see how your thread likes it. Usually the smaller your needle, the less likely you are to skip a stitch... so long as the thread can feed through it without too much trouble. So the heavier the material, the more likely that a slightly bigger needle will be needed.

Try taking a 3 ft. piece of thread and see if the needle will slide easily from one end to the other. Raise the thread up and down to see if the needle slides freely. If the needle does not slide freely from one end to the other by its own weight, go to the next largest needle. Start sewing using the smallest needle that slides freely. If your material demands it, then go up a size from there.

Here is a compatibility chart.

DYNA ROCKS!!

Are you a Patriot Guard member? We may have a Mission coming up very soon in Lockport for Pfc. Albert Jex (killed by and IED near Mosul, Iraq on 2/9/09). Check the PGR website for details. (www.patriotguard.org)

[ryano]

Hello!

69 nylon is great for patches and will work in both your machines.