thread for hand sewing

[howardb]

I think this question has come up on a monthly basis and it never gets a final answer.

Bob - shortest answer: get some from Tandy for now. Just call and ask them to help you pick one. They have both machine and hand stitching threads, and will be able to advise you on a choice. It will be better than fabric sewing thread no matter which kind you get.

None of the advice above is bad, it's just what works for each person, and several of them may work for you too.

As you learn & try things, you will find what works best for you. Smaller lighter duty projects need lighter smaller threads than something heavy duty like a holster or saddle. BUT ALL hand stitching thread will be 3-4 times thicker than the heaviest of fabric sewing threads.

I asked Maine Thread company how to compare things and I got a neat-o card in the mail with samples of all their colors and weights of thread, but no answer to the eternal question.

I have sought the mountaintop gurus and no help from them either.

Ply's, Cords, Nylon, Polyester, Sinew, Linen, gage... it all makes me nutso. But the good news is if you sort of ignore all that, you will still end up with something that works. I found 25yard cards ($2.50) of hand stitching thread at HOBBY LOBBY of all places!! They even had a pack of needles that were the right size and seem better than the Tandy kit needles. They have a small leather craft area in the store with just a few basic supplies & kits geared toward scouting or indian guides. I've used some of that thread and it's not all bad. It claims to be waxed, but I re-waxed it and that helped.

Good luck. I hope someday to answer this question once and for all!! It's becoming a personal mission...

Brent

[ferret]

Found this explanation for thread sizes, don't know if it's local or international

http://www.leprevo.co.uk/sizes.htm

[Art]

Hi Tina,

There are darned near as many thread systems as there are thread manufacturers, maybe more. Here's a little technical detail about the differences. Slow reading, a lot of info.

Thread_Sizes.htm

Don't know who did the work, but most of the info seems correct.

Art

Hi all:-)

Is there a way of making sense of this thread-chinese?

I bought a Myers awl and got some thread with it on a reel, super I loved the thickness and the durability to that thread, never broke on me. Now, I have tried to figure out how to get a big spole of that one (not buying this small reels that seams to be all over the place) but whatever I buy/see seams to be the wrong one :-( So, I know it is a 3 ply one, got a spool from one suplyer, 3 ply but it's thinner, scwimpy and brakes all the time and getting me just MAD!!! Ok, I get the 7 ply one from the same supplier...to thick, can't get it thru the needle *grrr*

Does anyone know where to get the myers thread in a big spool and what I should be looking for?

Greatful for any translation of this thread code that make absolutly no sense to me//Tina

Thread_Sizes.htm

[Hilly]

Kathy,

I am interested in finding some unwaxed linen thread, so I called Beiler's in PA and was told the smallest spool they had now was a 2 lb. for $48. I am wondering if there is another supplier I could purchase a smaller amount from.

Thanks,

Doug

These guys sell spools for $42. Not much better pricing, but sixbux is sixbux.

http://campbell-bosworth.com/catalog/index...e2d4987195ad393

[Frayed01]

Here's my donation

Notes_About_Thread.doc

Notes_About_Thread.doc

[Tina]

Hi Tina,

There are darned near as many thread systems as there are thread manufacturers, maybe more. Here's a little technical detail about the differences. Slow reading, a lot of info.

Thread_Sizes.htm

Don't know who did the work, but most of the info seems correct.

Art

Thank You Art and all:-)

I have read ever link here to try and make sense av it all. It seams like the 3-ply thread that is on the awl is just one manufacters version and others are not quite the same *grrrr* Well, one link had a #277 4-ply thread that I just ordered I hope this one will work better and not brake on me all the time as the 3-ply #207 thread. I was so frustrated I tossed the work in a corner...And i grump at it every time I look at it, I sooo want to finish of the 2 project.

Again, Thank you for all info, I'm sooo Happy this web site excists:-)

[tazzmann]

I would also like to extend my thanks to all, the links helped a LOT in understanding this alien thing called thread!

[Art]

Hi Tina et al,

One good thing (among the many) about linen is that you can double and even triple it up to make bigger sizes. Needless to say, don't do this in a machine. I can't double up nylon or poly and have it look any kind of decent. Of course, using the proper cord thread is always the best.

Barbour's has always made good thread, if a bit pricey, but it is a quality product. I received a spool of 4 cord once that was marked 4/20 instead of the standard 4 cord which is 4/18, now the difference between 4/18 and 4/20 has to be indiscernible at best, even with an optical comparator, but they took the time to measure and mark it anyway. The little things are important.

Art

Thank You Art and all:-)

I have read ever link here to try and make sense av it all. It seams like the 3-ply thread that is on the awl is just one manufacters version and others are not quite the same *grrrr* Well, one link had a #277 4-ply thread that I just ordered I hope this one will work better and not brake on me all the time as the 3-ply #207 thread. I was so frustrated I tossed the work in a corner...And i grump at it every time I look at it, I sooo want to finish of the 2 project.

Again, Thank you for all info, I'm sooo Happy this web site excists:-)

[ETW Grumpy]

walletman, I do mostly wallets and I use waxed Irish linen thread from Royalwood, Ltd.

http://www.royalwoodltd.com/cat14-17ar.htm

I use mostly their 7 ply, but did use the 4 ply to do some very small custom stitches. Hope this helps.

[Leerwerker]

A really super thread is any of the new colors of braided waxed thread carried by Tandy! For hand sewing that is just the best!

Hope this helps!

JOhan

hi thanx in advanice wot is best tread for hand sawing i am useing some polyester stuff at minite but it brakes tangels knots up and is generally rubbish thanx again bob