If you’ve ever found yourself staring at the notions wall with total confusion, don’t worry; we’ve all been there! Read on to learn everything you need to know about thread fiber types, and then it’s best to use them!
- Cotton
- Use when sewing natural fibers
- Cotton
- Linen
- Wool
- Heat durable
- Great for gathering, basting, and finishing
- Use when sewing natural fibers
- Nylon/Rayon
- Synthetic fibers
- Typically transparent, like fishing line
- Useful for purses, ourdoor cushions or umbrellas, and other heavy duty projects
- Polyester
- Use with synthetic fabrics
- Polyester
- Acetate
- Rayon
- Slight luster
- Not heat-resistant
- Stronger than cotton
- Use with synthetic fabrics
- Elastic
- Perfect for ruching
- Tricky to work with
- Silk
- Used mainly when sewing with silk
- Can be good for detailing and embroidery
- Super fine and flexible
- Metallic
- Mostly used for details and embellishments
- Found often on handbags
- Bobbin
- Lightweight
- Sometimes used on the wrong side of embroidery and applique
- Great for basting
- Wool
- Good for heavy projects like upholstery
- Often used for chunky embroidery or top-stitching
- Special Occasion Dresses
- Silk
- Polyester
- Casual Dresses
- Cotton
- Polyester
- Button-Up Shirts
- Cotton
- Blouses
- Cotton/Poly Blend
- Silk
- Knitwear & Sportswear
- Polyester
- Elastic
- Quilting
- Cotton
- Machine Embroidery
- Cotton
- Silk
- Jeans
- Cotton/Poly Blend
- Heavy Duty
- Upholstery
- Polyester or Wool
- Nylon (for outdoors)
3 comments
Thanks for the information about the different kinds of threads. Why are there different plys of thread and when is each one used?
This was incredibly helpful. I’m glad I’ve been doing things right so far.
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