[SGVHAK] sewing machine thread

[Jeremy Leader]

My impression is that hand sewing is the most flexible; depending on the 
size of your needle, you can sew with anything from spiderwebs to twine. 
Machine sewing is a little pickier, because the tension has to be 
adjusted to match the thread and the fabric. Failure modes for machine 
sewing include breaking thread, or over-feeding and tangling. I think 
sergers make similar demands on thread, they just use it up a lot faster 
(because every stitch wraps around the edge of the fabric) so they use 
larger spools and bobbins.

As far as fibers go, I don't know much. I know cotton isn't as strong as 
polyester, but might match the color and texture of cotton fabric 
better. I've used nylon upholstery thread for hand-sewing heavy-duty 
repairs (mending things like backpacks and futon covers). I tried some 
kevlar thread a couple times which was very strong, but I discovered 
that it's got very poor abrasion resistance. One time it wore through 
where it rubbed inside the eye of the needle, while I was still sewing 
with it!

-- 
Jeremy Leader
jleader at alumni.caltech.edu

On 15-06-02 00:35, nopbin at gmail.com wrote:
> Short answer is I don't know. However in our house we always hand sewed
> using the same thread as we used for the sewing machine. As far as I
> know the serger thread was also the same, just more bobbins. My memory
> is that the thread material and weight was always selected based on
> compatibility with the garment.
>
> On Jun 2, 2015 12:16 AM, "Tux Lab" <project.tuxlab at gmail.com
> <mailto:project.tuxlab at gmail.com>> wrote:
>
>     Any quick recommendation for sewing threads?   There's too much
>     information out there.  Cotton vs polyester and various weights. . . .
>
>     Does it matter if the thread is used for hand sewing or in a sewing
>     machine, or in a serger?
>
>     thanks,
>
>     John