Needles And Threads

[kyuukaru]

Does a chart exist showing the equivalencies of cotton shoemaker's thread (e.g. sizes 20, 16, 12) to tkt or tex sizes?

[Wizcrafts]

Does a chart exist showing the equivalencies of cotton shoemaker's thread (e.g. sizes 20, 16, 12) to tkt or tex sizes?

Check out this chart - which has several different thread systems listed, including linen thread cord sizes.

[mungop]

Here's an interesting link on Sewing Machine Needles

http://banner-flag.bainbridgeint.com/dbimgs/us/04_USA_Tools_133_150.pdf

Here's another link for small quantities of needles p.38 and

the sewing machine they sell and

which thread size to use (you have to read a bit) and an interesting

list of bits and pieces.

http://cdn.sailmakerssupply.com/downloads/Sailmakers_Supply_Catalog_2011a.pdf

Edited April 8, 2013 by mungop

[mungop]

Can't seem to edit my previous post for the second time.

P. 25 of the sailmaker catalogue lists threads but what is useful is that it also lists yardage and weight.

[Malin]

Hi,

I am new here and signed up because I need some help - but I can't start a new topic yet, so I hope I do the right thing here... I have been given a Brother DB2-B755. It was a gift by someone who is now too old to use it and she had only a thin brochure for it. According to youtubes and online manuals I believe I did the threading right and used a piece of fabric to test it (I understand the machine is actually not made for leather?), but the upper thread does not catch the lower one and I can't find out what I am doing wrong.

Anyone an idea what I could try?

Malin

English is my second language, hence possible mistakes...

[MissionVao]

I was wondering about the relation of leather oz. to thread thickness, for various levels of thread visibility and I ran into this (seemingly) awesome guide http://www.thethreadexchange.com/miva/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Category_Code=polyester-thread-information

According to the guide for my 8-10oz leather I should use 138-277 thread with my new Pfaff 335 when I sew belts and like the nice plump but not too thick thread.

But what troubles me is the manual says I should only be using needle size 33-69, nothing above.

Since my machine can sew through whatever leather thickness I can fit under the foot, with ease, plus I saw a Hermes factory video where they use Pfaff 335 with huge needle and thread I have to wonder who's right.

Edited September 28, 2015 by MissionVao

[shoepatcher]

Most Pfaff 335's including mine can handle #138. I have even seen a few handle #207 on top and #138 in the bobbin. Never seen one handle #277 thread. I would love to see that Hermes video on the 335 with huge needles and thread.

[stickandtin]

Watching an upholstery training video. Guy on video is using clear polyester monofilament thread in his machine(consew RB1). Claims if you sew with monofilament, you never have to worry about matching thread color to material. Does anybody here use monofilament? What size needle and monofilament is recommended for upholstery weight material and marine grade vinyl? What are the pros and cons of using monofilament?

[CowboyBob]

The cons of monofilament are the sun breaks it down real quick maybe 2-3 yrs,it can also cut into vinyl,it's better to use it on cloth type of material for that reason & if you use it a lot it cuts into the thread guides & tension unit & after while it cuts grooves in the hook.

[Tejas]

Tenara and other PTFE thread is a monofiliment and essentially impervious to UV. I use it on boat canvas here in Texas and ten-year old stitching shows no UV deterioration and will probably outlast Sunbrella fabric.

Here are a few quotes from Gore.

"Unaffected by Sunlight"

"GORE® TENARA® Sewing Thread maintains its strength even after regular exposure to UV sunlight. UV resistance is built into the thread, and is not a coating or additive that can wear off."

"Weather-Proof"

"GORE® TENARA® Sewing Thread remains flexible and strong in extremes of hot and cold. It won’t absorb water and it resists acid rain, salt water, pollution, snow and freezing."

Tenara comes in a few colors and also clear, and is available in V-69, V-92, V-138 and V-207, but is much more expensive than bonded polyester.

In discussions on another forum, some canvas sewers claim the SolarFix PTFE thread is easier to sew than Tenara.

I've only sewed V-92 Tenara and use Singer MR4 135x17 needles.

Edited October 21, 2015 by Tejas