New Thread Company Advice

[NVLeatherWorx]

So, Gary, I have done an item using the 1.2 thread that you sent to me and have some observations on it and how it works out.  I have provided these images as well so you can see how it turned out.

One of the first things that I noticed about this thread is that the wax content is very low when compared to some of the more popular threads that many of us are using; you had made mention that this was one of your areas of concern for the smaller threads and I agree with you when you said that it can be done because we all know that it has.  The next thing I noticed about the thread was that it was more rounded than flat (actually oval shaped if you want to get specific) and the braiding patter is identical to Tiger Thread (I broke some of it down and compared it to the Tiger), right down to the strand count (yup, I took my time).  Makes me wonder if this thread has a former member of the Ritza production team onboard and that they are trying to put some direct competition on them; but, that is for others to worry about if it is needed.  One key thing of note that I picked up on right away though was this thread did not try bind or twist itself around like many other threads do which made being able to complete a run a bit less time consuming.  Due to the size of the thread I had to set a stitching groove on each side of the project but the groove was not very deep and once the thread was laid in it was flush with the primary surface; laid in real well indeed.

So, to combat the lack of wax I gave it a couple pulls across my organic pure beeswax block (most other beeswax blocks for waxing thread also contain Paraffin wax which gets clunky on the thread) and it glided right through the leather; I actually punched smaller holes than I normally would just to test it to the limits of ease of use and I was quite impressed.

Now, if you are able to get the producer of this thread to give you the sizes, colors, spool sizes, and pricing that will allow to at least come up even with the cost per yard for Tiger Thread, you might be onto something and be able to make a go of it.  However, the manufacturer would have to get the wax content a bit heavier and they would have to be able to keep you supplied so that we can get the product when we need it (this is sometimes an issue with Tiger Thread and I have had to wait for a few weeks on occasion for my thread; time is money and none of us can afford to lose either).

Overall, I was quite impressed with the sample that you sent and would be very anxious to see what else this manufacturer can provide you.  I will also tell you this, if the other manufacturers are not at least equaling the quality of this 1.2 thread you need to determine whether or not they are capable of doing so and, if not, just ending all further communications and project coordination with them.

Now, here are the pictures of the simple project that I did with this thread and take note of how the stitches line up and lay down in the shallow grooves.

 

[Garyspruill]

On 8/19/2018 at 3:33 PM, NVLeatherWorx said:

So, Gary, I have done an item using the 1.2 thread that you sent to me and have some observations on it and how it works out.  I have provided these images as well so you can see how it turned out.

One of the first things that I noticed about this thread is that the wax content is very low when compared to some of the more popular threads that many of us are using; you had made mention that this was one of your areas of concern for the smaller threads and I agree with you when you said that it can be done because we all know that it has.  The next thing I noticed about the thread was that it was more rounded than flat (actually oval shaped if you want to get specific) and the braiding patter is identical to Tiger Thread (I broke some of it down and compared it to the Tiger), right down to the strand count (yup, I took my time).  Makes me wonder if this thread has a former member of the Ritza production team onboard and that they are trying to put some direct competition on them; but, that is for others to worry about if it is needed.  One key thing of note that I picked up on right away though was this thread did not try bind or twist itself around like many other threads do which made being able to complete a run a bit less time consuming.  Due to the size of the thread I had to set a stitching groove on each side of the project but the groove was not very deep and once the thread was laid in it was flush with the primary surface; laid in real well indeed.

So, to combat the lack of wax I gave it a couple pulls across my organic pure beeswax block (most other beeswax blocks for waxing thread also contain Paraffin wax which gets clunky on the thread) and it glided right through the leather; I actually punched smaller holes than I normally would just to test it to the limits of ease of use and I was quite impressed.

Now, if you are able to get the producer of this thread to give you the sizes, colors, spool sizes, and pricing that will allow to at least come up even with the cost per yard for Tiger Thread, you might be onto something and be able to make a go of it.  However, the manufacturer would have to get the wax content a bit heavier and they would have to be able to keep you supplied so that we can get the product when we need it (this is sometimes an issue with Tiger Thread and I have had to wait for a few weeks on occasion for my thread; time is money and none of us can afford to lose either).

Overall, I was quite impressed with the sample that you sent and would be very anxious to see what else this manufacturer can provide you.  I will also tell you this, if the other manufacturers are not at least equaling the quality of this 1.2 thread you need to determine whether or not they are capable of doing so and, if not, just ending all further communications and project coordination with them.

Now, here are the pictures of the simple project that I did with this thread and take note of how the stitches line up and lay down in the shallow grooves.

 

NVLeatherWorx

Just sent you a PM

Thank you so much for testing this

Gary 

[Garyspruill]

I need to ask a quick question due to my personal ignorance,

Again, working with the thread companies.

For leather Sewing Machine thread:

My folks are asking me a question and wanted to come to the experts for the real skinny:

The question on the table to me is: do you want: "S" twist or "Z" twist??

Dealing with a poly bonded material, does it make a difference if it is twisted left (S vs Z) or right for our leather sewing machine foils?? Just a reminder: I normally sew all my projects by hand, hence the reason I am asking this very question.

They are offering me sizes from a V46 all the way up to the V500's

Any help would be greatful

 

Gary

[LetterT]

I do no have a sawing machine so...

It is my understanding that for hand sawing the preferred twist is S (right hand as most people are right handed) and for the sawing machine the preferred twist is Z (opposite of hand sawing). I remember that simply by S twist for right hand sawing and "the other" twist is for the machines.

[Garyspruill]

10 hours ago, LetterT said:

I do no have a sawing machine so...

It is my understanding that for hand sawing the preferred twist is S (right hand as most people are right handed) and for the sawing machine the preferred twist is Z (opposite of hand sawing). I remember that simply by S twist for right hand sawing and "the other" twist is for the machines.

Thank you

[Seamus76]

18 hours ago, LetterT said:

I do no have a sawing machine so...

It is my understanding that for hand sawing the preferred twist is S (right hand as most people are right handed) and for the sawing machine the preferred twist is Z (opposite of hand sawing). I remember that simply by S twist for right hand sawing and "the other" twist is for the machines.

I just bought a Consew 206RB-5 and looking in the owners manual it says:

"THREAD:

Cotton, synthetic or silk thread can be used according to your purpose.

*Always use left twisted thread for upper (needle) thread, but you can use either right or left twisted thread for lower (bobbin) thread."

 

I have alwasy been a hand sewer, but just bought this machine last week to use on larger items such as totes, etc., plus I got an amazing deal on it.  I have used Maine Thread Waxed Poly since I started, but for the last year have been using Japanese Vinymo thread for a lot of my projects.  It's beautiful thread, vibrant, and soft to the touch.  It's unwaxed, which I don't mind becuase I have my own wax and don't mind waxing it.  That's what she said.  And since it's unwaxed it can be used on my machine as well.  I like the ruggedness of Maine but it can be too waxy sometimes, which is a common "complaint" about it, but I don't mind that too much.  Vinymo comes in tons of colors as well, which is really great.  It's also available in large and small spools for US based suppliers.  

Hope that helps a bit.

[Garyspruill]

6 hours ago, Seamus76 said:

I just bought a Consew 206RB-5 and looking in the owners manual it says:

"THREAD:

Cotton, synthetic or silk thread can be used according to your purpose.

*Always use left twisted thread for upper (needle) thread, but you can use either right or left twisted thread for lower (bobbin) thread."

 

I have alwasy been a hand sewer, but just bought this machine last week to use on larger items such as totes, etc., plus I got an amazing deal on it.  I have used Maine Thread Waxed Poly since I started, but for the last year have been using Japanese Vinymo thread for a lot of my projects.  It's beautiful thread, vibrant, and soft to the touch.  It's unwaxed, which I don't mind becuase I have my own wax and don't mind waxing it.  That's what she said.  And since it's unwaxed it can be used on my machine as well.  I like the ruggedness of Maine but it can be too waxy sometimes, which is a common "complaint" about it, but I don't mind that too much.  Vinymo comes in tons of colors as well, which is really great.  It's also available in large and small spools for US based suppliers.  

Hope that helps a bit.

It does and thank you,

 

[Garyspruill]

Just an update,

We were working with three companies to help design and make the thread that we wanted. That number has been narrowed down to one company now.

We are in the process of picking out colors (that is a pain) to best suit the needs of leather user's. We are allowed up to 30 colors, yet to help us, we are most likely to narrow it down to around 25.

We also have folks that are on this very forum testing different generations of trial and error of the product to insure it is in my words, perfect.

The gen 1 model, did not have the correct thread count in the braid, that has been fixed.

Gen 2 and gen 3 did not have the correct amount of "wax" in-on the thread, this has been discussed and fixed with the mfg.

Gen 4, I have here with me and is now being tested and re-tested to insure the quality that is to be expected.

Once all approve the product (me) and others, then the colors need to be picked out - tweaked - and ordered

Once all this is done, then comes the website - looking at different e-commerce platforms, wordpress, opencart, and others to provide the best shopping experience possible. Already working on images and backgrounds and videos for the website. 

While all this is happening, we are also working on the sewing machine thread, edge paint, and hand tools.

I so badly want to announce the name of the new company, but by advice of the legal eagles, they want all the paperwork done - stamped and in their hands before I do. Sorry? Some know it already by me, once all is done, will announce it. Cool??

 

Just wanted to update all that are following this process - journey!

 

Gary

[bikermutt07]

I will add a little for the marketing end....

Once you get your product to market, send some to Nigel at Armitage Leather.

If he likes it, you may have an overnight success.

On another note, I would just like to take a minute to say how happy I am to see @NVLeatherWorx back here on this site. Sir, you and your wisdom have been missed. Thanks for coming back.

[Garyspruill]

4 hours ago, bikermutt07 said:

I will add a little for the marketing end....

Once you get your product to market, send some to Nigel at Armitage Leather.

If he likes it, you may have an overnight success.

On another note, I would just like to take a minute to say how happy I am to see @NVLeatherWorx back here on this site. Sir, you and your wisdom have been missed. Thanks for coming back.

bikermutt07,

Thank you for the advice. I agree with you. I have already been in contact with him via emails back and forth in the UK. He is a stout supporter of Tiger Thread, yet is open to others, have taken notes from him (his emails) and passed them along to my mfg's. Huge help. Once all is 100%, I can promise: he is getting a case :-) to try out any darn thing he wants.

I never knew NVLeatherWorx was missing. Meet Mr. Richard in the last month. Have to agree with you, tons of knowledge there. He is helping me out a ton on this project and I am saying "Thank you" for it!

I noticed you are from Bossier/Shreveport, love that city(s). It depends on who you talk to so you have to include both of them. :-)

Thanks again for the advise, I am absorbing all of it.

 

 

Gary