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[Northmount]

15 hours ago, CIC said:

I live in the great NorthEast between CT, NY, PA, WV. & OHIO.

It would be a good idea to put your approximate location in your profile so you get answers related to your area.  This is a world wide forum.

Tom

[CIC]

2 hours ago, Northmount said:

It would be a good idea to put your approximate location in your profile so you get answers related to your area.  This is a world wide forum.

Tom

Tom, I really do divide my time between these 5 states.

/Jer/

[CIC]

4 hours ago, JLSleather said:

Welcome to LW.net  where "Where's the good thread?" returns links to pictures of sides vs backs 'n' bellies, discussion of various types of needles, and a suggestion to search elsewhere

I guess (search) mileage varies on this site because I didn't get anything like what you're describing.  I think that laughing smiley applies more to you for refusing to name at least one good thread source.

 

4 hours ago, JLSleather said:

 

So I'll return you to your question without further...stuff.   good luck!

 

How about a recommendation for a thread vendor?

[JLSleather]

You didn't get any of that?@!  Did you see ANY of that up there ↑

Ah, no matter.  Next time I know. 

I get thread at thethreadexchange.com, superiorthreads.com, and Bob (red link below)

[Northmount]

3 hours ago, CIC said:

I really do divide my time between these 5 states.

You don't understand the concept.  I simply suggested that you add your location to your profile.  I don't care if you put it in your profile the same as you posted earlier in this thread, "the great NorthEast between CT, NY, PA, WV. & OHIO" or NE USA, or a rocket ship floating around the moon.

Identifying your location in the universe helps get you information and assistance from your part of the universe, which may be much more relevant than if you were on Mars or Venus.

Tom

[rodneywt1180b]

I use Ritza 25 Tiger Thread, primarily 1.0 mm these days.  Here's a link to my supplier. https://www.etsy.com/shop/EgyptianLeather?ref=simple-shop-header-name&listing_id=240430964  The owner John is a good guy with always fast  and helpful service.  He sells up to 1.4 mm thread which is pretty much rope compared to 1 mm in a variety of colors.  He also stocks John James needles.  Ask him which size he recommends for the size thread you want to use.

Hope this helps.

[johnv474]

From my experience, your only thread choice is linen.  A few brands are best known: Barbours, Campbells, and Sajou's Fil Au Chinois.

You can buy unwaxed linen thread from Tandy, Weaver Leather, Amazon, Springfield Leather, Etsy, and Ebay.  If you have a shoe repair shop nearby, or a saddle/tack repair place, you may be able to buy some from their stock.

Why linen?  Well, it's stronger than cotton, but not nearly as strong as synthetics like nylon or polyester.  (By the way, strength is not the only factor that matters).  It gets slightly stronger when wet, doesn't untie itself like synthetics, and has been used since forever in leatherwork.  The key reason is none of these--if you buy it unwaxed then you can dye it to the color you want (using fabric or leather dyes).  That was one of your critical requirements and is the only suitable thread for leather that meets that requirement.  Synthetics, for our purposes, can't be dyed by the end user.

Bonus: linen is much thicker than synthetic threads.  Based on your description I am guessing that you would be satisfied with a 5 cord natural unwaxed Barbours thread, which I'd estimate to be just over 1mm thick. That is a reasonable thickness to suggest based on what you have asked for.  Bad news is that you usually need to buy a pound of it, and that will cost you about $55, but it will last you a long, long time.  It is generally available in 3 cord up to 7 cord for leatherwork.

[CIC]

On 1/12/2020 at 8:25 AM, JLSleather said:

"Where's the good thread?" returns links to pictures of sides vs backs 'n' bellies, discussion of various types of needles, and a suggestion to search elsewhere

As I re-read your post I can't help to ask myself, "Did I ever ask about sides & backs & bellies or needles?"  Is that even on the same planet as an acceptable response to a query about thread (whether I could reproduce it or not?)  Is that what your laffing smiley was all about?  Sure, I can be thick sometimes, but I'm right confused about this one.

And thanks for the thread sites.