The art of sewing has existed for tens of thousands of years and in all of that time, it has taken on many different meanings. Although all sewing is about fastening two things, usually some type of material, together with string or thread, the types and sizes of materials and threads vary tremendously.

Used in heavy canvas sails yet also for delicate gossamer fabrics, all are put together by sewing. Just as materials vary; so do their sewing techniques. The nearly invisible hand stitching of haute couture is nothing like the top stitching on work boots done by industrial sewing machines. That's why it pays to select the right sewing thread for each project.

A Stitch in Time

For hand work, sewing thread should match the fabric. Heavy-duty fabrics need heavy-duty sewing thread. Spending money for weighty fabric demands that the sturdy thread be purchased to match. Otherwise, the weight of the fabric can pull the stitches if they are too fragile. By the same token, a sheer fabric requires lightweight sewing thread unless a special effect is desired. Stretchy fabric won't stretch if the seams are made of non-elastic sewing thread.

Embroidery and other embellishments may call for special sewing thread as well. Ordinary hand sewing can usually be done with bargain thread; the seamstress can oversee every stitch. If a tangle occurs, it can be corrected at the time. However, this is not so if bargain sewing thread is used in a sewing machine.

A sewing machine uses a fine-tuned system of neatly-timed processes to mimic the simple in and out motion of hand sewing. An important part of getting all of the processes to work together is maintaining the proper thread tension. This is accomplished by a system of tension discs and eye openings made of metal and plastic. In some machines, the tension regulation is done within the machine where a problem can't be seen. Cheaply made sewing thread usually has tiny loose fibers throughout. The fast-moving thread can leave fibers to accumulate in the sewing machine to gum up the works.

Using a sewing thread that is prone to tangling is a recipe for disaster in a machine. Save the bargain sewing thread for projects that are done by hand and don't require strong seams. Spending money on the better sewing thread for machine work will save in the long run by avoiding costly repairs and extending the life of your fine equipment.

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