Need Thread Size Advice.

[mlapaglia]

I have a Tippman Boss and love it. I have to make a pattern pouch for my wife and have no idea on which size thread to use. I normally sew 277 with a 25/200 needle. The leather I am going to use is 3 oz and VERY flexible. You can lay it over a finger and it just drapes all around.

Any ideas would be appreciated. Im thinking on 8-10 SPI.The Boss can sew from size 69 to 415.

Thanks

Michael.

[Art]

First question, is thread a design component? Ask yourself what you want to see. V-138 will hold 2 pieces of 3 oz together, and so will v-42 or V-69; but they will look different. Run a couple of test stitch lines and see what you like. V-33, V-46, and even V-69 can usually be handled by a conventional sewing machine, especially 6 oz of soft leather.

Art

[mlapaglia]

First question, is thread a design component? Ask yourself what you want to see. V-138 will hold 2 pieces of 3 oz together, and so will v-42 or V-69; but they will look different. Run a couple of test stitch lines and see what you like. V-33, V-46, and even V-69 can usually be handled by a conventional sewing machine, especially 6 oz of soft leather.

Art

Art,

The thread is just to hold the seam together. I do not have any thread below 207 at this time so I am unable to run test stitches and Id rather not buy several bunches of thread. (Im cheap ). I do like the fact that I might be able to use a V-33 or V-46 in the wifes machine. I am not looking forward to changing the tension on the BOSS for a smaller thread. Forgetting which machine I use what would you recommend. Its a pouch that will hold 3-4 magazines and hang off her craft cart. Think function over art.

Thanks

Michael

[Art]

Use a chisel point (leather needle) in a standard sewing machine. A @14 needle works with V-46 and a #16 or #18 works on V-69. V-69 will be easier to get, but not in many colors. You can get all this stuff from Bob Kovar at Toledo Industrial, and I think you can get V-69 in 1/2 pound spools. Bob has any needle you will ever need.

With the smaller thread, you might want to tighten-up the stitches to 8 or maybe 10 spi but test, it really depends on needle size, you don't want to cut the leather (holes too close together).

Art

[JLSleather]

#42 thread is pretty small- I've only used it once (ever).Two layers totaling about 6 oz sounds like maybe #69 thread and an 18 needle. As a rule, I don't stitch anything closer than about 8 per inch. I'll see what pics I kin find ...

[Dwight]

Art,

The thread is just to hold the seam together. I do not have any thread below 207 at this time so I am unable to run test stitches and Id rather not buy several bunches of thread. (Im cheap ). I do like the fact that I might be able to use a V-33 or V-46 in the wifes machine. I am not looking forward to changing the tension on the BOSS for a smaller thread. Forgetting which machine I use what would you recommend. Its a pouch that will hold 3-4 magazines and hang off her craft cart. Think function over art.

Thanks

Michael

Michael, . . . go to Joann's Fabric, . . . check out their upholstery thread.

It is "some kinda tough" to say the least. I use it for simple light leather projects, . . . for vinyl, . . . and for heavy canvas.

It works in all three of my "regular" machines, . . . usually in the 8 spi range.

And a spool of your favorite color is less than $5 if I recollect correctly.

May God bless,

Dwight

[JLSleather]

Weird.. can't find a lot of those 'stitchin' pics. But general rule, I use #69 thread to sew billfold / checkbook liners, and then use #138 to sew them into the carving piece. Belts are stitched using either 207 or 277.

For comparison, the zipper gussets show a double row of #69 thread on the zipper and #207 holding the gussets into the main body.

Keep in mind that different color leather and / or different color thread can throw this WAY off. In fact, just changing the needle point geometry can make it look like a different project!

[JLSleather]

This one here, the leather is shown as you would be looking at it going into the machine (top is fed in and leather moving away). The pic explains it I think..

Both sides set at 6 spi, both 207 thread, both same leather... ONLY difference is changing the needle from an LL point to an LR point.

[mlapaglia]

This one here, the leather is shown as you would be looking at it going into the machine (top is fed in and leather moving away). The pic explains it I think..

Both sides set at 6 spi, both 207 thread, both same leather... ONLY difference is changing the needle from an LL point to an LR point.

fddfdf.jpg

Yep, I have seen that. I keep LL LR and S needles for the look depending on the project.

Thanks

Michael, . . . go to Joann's Fabric, . . . check out their upholstery thread.

It is "some kinda tough" to say the least. I use it for simple light leather projects, . . . for vinyl, . . . and for heavy canvas.

It works in all three of my "regular" machines, . . . usually in the 8 spi range.

And a spool of your favorite color is less than $5 if I recollect correctly.

May God bless,

Dwight

Thanks Dwight. Ill do that.