thread for kilts

[Laird_M]

On all the instructions for making a ilt its says 'use a strong thread', but I've not seen any actual advice on what brands or types of thread are used.
What do the Rabble recommend?

[sydnie7]

Not sure what your brands are in the UK. In the States, it's Gutermann or Dual Duty XP -- good for either machine or hand sewing.

You are machine sewing, from your other posts? If hand sewing, you would need some other types in addition but that's all spelled out in Barb's book.

The important part is "quality thread," not the cheap polyester spools that you find jumbled in a bin for pennies apiece.

[Laird_M]

Thanks Sydnie. And yes I'll be using my new toy. We do get Gutterman here and I do have a few spools in the sewing desk.

[usonian]

Gutermann polyester thread is good stuff! I used it on my 8 yard kilt and it has held strong.

[Steve Ashton]

Gutermann is available in almost every fabric store chain in the I have every heard of. I had no trouble finding it in the UK during my visits. Some small, or local sewing shops don't carry it but the larger ones do.

Coats & Clark double-duty thread is new within the last 5 years but is also carried by the larger shops.

What you want for kilts is the highest quality thread you can find. 100% Polyester preferably. DO NOT use cotton wrapped thread of any sort or brand.

Try Fabric Land
11 Bartholomew St.
Town Center
Newbury

[Barb T]

On all the instructions for making a kilt its says 'use a strong thread', but I've not seen any actual advice on what brands or types of thread are used.

Depends on what part of the kilt you're sewing.

-For pleats, the recommendations above for Gutermann 100% polyester is great.

-For basting, any polyester will do - as Steve says, using cotton-wrapped dual duty thread is a mess. The cotton wrapping wears into little nubs that make it difficult to pull out when it comes time to remove the basting. Coats and Clark's new Dual Duty XP is polyester wrapped, and that's OK, but I find it a little "springy". For basting, I like the cheapest, on sale, 100% polyester I can find..

-For stitching canvas, steeking, stabilizer, top band, and buckles and straps, even doubling Gutermann isn't heavy enough. For those parts you need to use button/carpet thread.

[Laird_M]

Thanks Barb.
I do have carpet thread in various hues that I use for my sporrans so I'm presuming that will be ok.

[Barb T]

Should be fine! The only carpet thread that ever shows is the thread used to stitch on the buckles and straps. All the rest is interior construction, so the color doesn't matter.

[Laird_M]

Great. So my 100yds of black should last a little while then.

[Barb T]

It certainly should!