An interesting subject, and something I've been thinking about lately.
In college we learned that is was preferable to have thread slightly less strong than the fabric. If your jacket pocket gets caught on something you want the seam to rip, not the fabric. And during the time I worked as an alterations and mending tailor, the vast majority of mending was from fabric failure, not thread failure. It happened, particularly on stretch fabric, but mostly I dealt with patching and such.
I guess it probably depends on the sewn item. I have had thread wear away faster than the tough performance fabric on some bags. But on my cotton flannel robe the fabric was damaged years before the thread was.
I am surprised to learn that nylon has high elasticity. The 69 bonded nylon I use for leather feels completely unstretchable, unlike Mara 100 (for example)
Many of us have large stashes of threads as well as fabrics. The thread does not retain its strength forever though. I’ve tried stretching the some older threads a bit and it snapped immediately especially the cotton ones. Is there a shelf life for thread? What do you recommend for checking the thread’s condition? Thank you.
Wow that is a very good article. Thank you. Went to my threads spools and looked at them. I have always used the “feel the thickness” of the threads. Gutermann has no markings on their spools.
Cale, I am a paid subscriber and I am not receiving notices when you publish. I have to sign in and look around. Usually old posts...December? show up and I have to keep prowling looking for current information. What to do?
Btw I tried your recommendation for cotton thread by Aurifil and it was great. I had soured on 100% cotton because I dislike Gutterman's and that is nearly what is available. But Aurifil looks and feels good and I stocked up on many colors.
When I was in school, more than 20 years ago, I was taught that cotton wrapped polyester threads were less desirable because the two fibers react differently when stitched. Have things changed in the way threads are produced?
An interesting subject, and something I've been thinking about lately.
In college we learned that is was preferable to have thread slightly less strong than the fabric. If your jacket pocket gets caught on something you want the seam to rip, not the fabric. And during the time I worked as an alterations and mending tailor, the vast majority of mending was from fabric failure, not thread failure. It happened, particularly on stretch fabric, but mostly I dealt with patching and such.
I guess it probably depends on the sewn item. I have had thread wear away faster than the tough performance fabric on some bags. But on my cotton flannel robe the fabric was damaged years before the thread was.
I am surprised to learn that nylon has high elasticity. The 69 bonded nylon I use for leather feels completely unstretchable, unlike Mara 100 (for example)
Many of us have large stashes of threads as well as fabrics. The thread does not retain its strength forever though. I’ve tried stretching the some older threads a bit and it snapped immediately especially the cotton ones. Is there a shelf life for thread? What do you recommend for checking the thread’s condition? Thank you.
Wow that is a very good article. Thank you. Went to my threads spools and looked at them. I have always used the “feel the thickness” of the threads. Gutermann has no markings on their spools.
Cale, I am a paid subscriber and I am not receiving notices when you publish. I have to sign in and look around. Usually old posts...December? show up and I have to keep prowling looking for current information. What to do?
Btw I tried your recommendation for cotton thread by Aurifil and it was great. I had soured on 100% cotton because I dislike Gutterman's and that is nearly what is available. But Aurifil looks and feels good and I stocked up on many colors.
What's your second choice for thread?
When I was in school, more than 20 years ago, I was taught that cotton wrapped polyester threads were less desirable because the two fibers react differently when stitched. Have things changed in the way threads are produced?