Thread for hand stitching

[InTheMiddle]

Hello! Newbie here.  

I purchase my items at Tandy because its nearby.  But they have been out of thread for a month.  I'm wondering  where I can purchase thread elsewhere. 

I've found thread but I don't know that it's the same gauge as what I use.  How can I tell?  

[bermudahwin]

If you are happy to let the folk here know your location; country or state if you don't want to divulge town, we may be able to direct you to a suitable source.

There was a recent post (by @chrisash i seem to recall) that directed folk to a comparison of thread gauges.

All I use at the moment are old linen and cotton 25/4, 18/3 etc which I dont know the millimeter or inch value.

Best

Harry

 

The post was here

 

Edited June 27, 2019 by hwinbermuda
added link

[InTheMiddle]

4 minutes ago, hwinbermuda said:

If you are happy to let the folk here know your location; country or state if you don't want to divulge town, we may be able to direct you to a suitable source.

There was a recent post (by @chrisash i seem to recall) that directed folk to a comparison of thread gauges.

All I use at the moment are old linen and cotton 25/4, 18/3 etc which I dont know the millimeter or inch value.

Best

Harry

Thanks for your reply!  I'm in Temecula, California but also open to order online.

[bermudahwin]

I edited my post with the link.

H

[InTheMiddle]

12 minutes ago, hwinbermuda said:

I edited my post with the link.

H

Thank you!  It looks like that is for machines?   I'm totally new to this so I'm lost! 

[Zonker1972]

https://www.rmleathersupply.com/collections/thread-sewing

i've been using the Riza Tiger Thread and it works well.

zonker

[InTheMiddle]

6 minutes ago, Zonker1972 said:

https://www.rmleathersupply.com/collections/thread-sewing

i've been using the Riza Tiger Thread and it works well.

zonker

Hi!

Thanks for the link!  How do I know which size?

[bermudahwin]

It depends on what you bought from Tandy.

My knowledge of threads is very limited as I use very traditional threads.

Hopefully someone that knows Tandy stock can pitch in

[zuludog]

You have two choices for hand sewing leather - synthetic or natural

The most widely used synthetic thread is braided polyester made by the Julius Koch company, under the brand name 'Ritza'. It has a picture of a tiger on the label so it is also known as 'Tiger Thread'. The usual sizes for sewing leather are 0,6mm and 0,8mm; just try some to see what thickness suits you. You can get full or smaller rolls to try from Rocky Mountain Leather supply

Natural thread for leather almost always means linen

Some of the best linen thread is 'Fil au Chinois', and it uses a French system to measure the thickness. You don't need to know how it's calculated, except that the lower the number, the thicker the thread. I use 332 and 432 to sew 3mm thick leather for knife sheaths. This is also sold by RMLS

Most other linen thread uses another system (was it originally British? I'd be interested to know). Again you don't need to know how it works, only that the most common thickness for sewing leather is 18/3. RMLS don't sell it so you'll have to Search for yourself or perhaps someone can recommend an American supplier

Don't buy anonymous linen thread off Amazon or Ebay, some of it isn't very good. Look for brand names such as Somac, Barbour, Coates, Crawfords,

RMLS have their own  brand of both synthetic and linen thread - Twist. I haven't used it but it seems reasonable enough. I think they give free samples

You say you get most of your stuff from Tandy. Does that include Tandy needles? Try using John James Saddlers Harness Needles size 002, JJ product code L3912, they're much better. These are sold by RMLS and they also do an assorted pack of needles so you could see which suits you. The prices for needles are reasonable enough for you to try

Edited June 27, 2019 by zuludog

[bermudahwin]

  Thanks Zuludog,

I use Barbour almost exclusively, and hand make some.

H