Please Explain The Use Of Linen Thread...

[ramrod]

i don't know how i missed this thread before. what a great bunch of info, wiz. i never knew what i didn't know about linen thread!

not to hijack the OP's thread, but what would be an equivilant thread size (in linen) to #69 polyester?

i'd like to buy some linen thread, but i don't want to be sewing with something the size of rope if i get it wrong.

[Wizcrafts]

i don't know how i missed this thread before. what a great bunch of info, wiz. i never knew what i didn't know about linen thread!

not to hijack the OP's thread, but what would be an equivilant thread size (in linen) to #69 polyester?

i'd like to buy some linen thread, but i don't want to be sewing with something the size of rope if i get it wrong.

I don't know of any such "linen" thread size. The closest organic thread would be 3 or 4 cord glace cotton, with a combined size of 20 or 24.

I have a spool of 4 cord glace cotton, size 24, that looks like it is close to #69 bonded nylon. In comparison, my spools of 4 cord linen thread are closer to #277 bonded thread.

The smallest commercial size of "linen" thread I know about is Barbour's 3 cord. This is about the same thickness as #138, or #207.

Keep in mind that cotton and linen thread need to be waxed to achieve maximum strength.

[ramrod]

i was under the impression that 5 or 6 cord linen was about the same as #69 polyester. i use the polyester exclusively in hand sewing, but, like i said, i'd like to find the same size in linen.

wiz, you're saying that the 3 cord linen is actually LARGER than #69 poly? (if i understand that correctly)

[Wizcrafts]

i was under the impression that 5 or 6 cord linen was about the same as #69 polyester. i use the polyester exclusively in hand sewing, but, like i said, i'd like to find the same size in linen.

wiz, you're saying that the 3 cord linen is actually LARGER than #69 poly? (if i understand that correctly)

Yes, 3 cord linen is larger than #69 bonded nylon, or polyester.

6 cord linen is as thick as bonded #346.

I don't use 3 cord any more, so I can't compare it to my bonded thread. But, when I did use 3 cord Barbour's, it was about the same size as #138 bonded nylon. I used a #1 needle and #1.5 awl to sew with it.

My 4 cord linen is close to the width of my #277 bonded. I'd say is is between #207 and 277. I use a #1.5 or 2 needle with a #2 or 2.5 awl for these threads.

In contrast, I need a #3 needle and #3.5 awl to sew with #346 bonded, or 6 cord linen thread.

[ramrod]

wow! i'm glad i asked. looks like it's 3 cord for hand stitching for me.

thank you, wiz.

[Wizcrafts]

Perhaps there is some confusion as to the width of #69 bonded thread. It is about the thickness of heavy fish line. It's diameter is 0.0115 In

[Wizcrafts]

According to one chart I just read, 3 cord Barbour's linen thread is the equivalent diameter of bonded #207. It needs to be waxed for best hold and lifespan.

[blink1688]

My goodness, thank you for this post. It may be 6 years old but I found it very helpful.

[DJole]

3 hours ago, blink1688 said:

My goodness, thank you for this post. It may be 6 years old but I found it very helpful.

It looks like you are in Ohio, so you can easily get waxed linen thread at Royalwood Ltd., in Mansfield, Ohio.
Website here: https://www.royalwoodltd.com/
I've ordered from them before, with good results. Lots of good color selection!

[SamSeitler]

On 10/21/2011 at 6:08 PM, Wizcrafts said:

Yes, 3 cord linen is larger than #69 bonded nylon, or polyester.

6 cord linen is as thick as bonded #346.

I don't use 3 cord any more, so I can't compare it to my bonded thread. But, when I did use 3 cord Barbour's, it was about the same size as #138 bonded nylon. I used a #1 needle and #1.5 awl to sew with it.

My 4 cord linen is close to the width of my #277 bonded. I'd say is is between #207 and 277. I use a #1.5 or 2 needle with a #2 or 2.5 awl for these threads.

In contrast, I need a #3 needle and #3.5 awl to sew with #346 bonded, or 6 cord linen thread.

Wiz, 

I just purchased a CB3200 to sew leather straps onto heavy canvas backpacks. Everything I make is plastic free, so I don't use polyester thread. Any suggestions on linen thread for this machine?