Thread, thread

[kfreeouf]

I'm going to put this out to query the expertise of the group;
Do you have a preferred thread when machine sewing?
I have mostly used Coats and Clark purely out of convenience...because it seems to be available everywhere.
Is Gutermann any better or worse? Are there any other brands worth considering? Is so, what are the advantages? Even "expensive" thread is cheap compared to the overall cost of most projects, so I'm open to change!
Thanks for all suggestions.
Semper Fi,
Keith

[James MacMillan]

I sure hope one or seven of our experts chime in on this question.

I have long been mystified by the different threads available in cloth stores.

[Alan H]

I use Coats and Clark poly/cotton for pretty much all my clothing stuff EXCEPT sewing on leather. For that I use waxed carpet thread, and that's all hand-sewing.

[Moosedog]

I use high-quality 100% polyester, usually Gutermann, for sewing almost everything, hand and machine. Poly-wrapped cotton doesn't work well for me...it shreds and kinks in my machine due to differing fiber content.

What are you sewing with it? The all-poly also will help keep seams from puckering on cotton-blend fabrics after washing (especially places like top-stitching pleats on an x-kilt.)

If you are near a jo-Ann's, they have a 50% sale on Gutermann every few weeks or so, I stock up then on what I will need.

Moosedog

[Barb T]

I know this isn't your question, but, if you're sewing a kilt by hand, you _don't_ want cotton-wrapped polyester (also called Dual Duty). The outer cotton wrapping wears as you pll the thread through the cloth, and the shredded coating winds up getting hung up in little lumpy bits in the cloth, particularly if you're taking out basting thread. I've also been told (although I've never tried to substantiate this) that cotton and silk thread eventually deteriorate, which is not something you want in a hand-sewn kilt. So, I use only 100% polyester.

I use Guterman almost exclusively for any permanent stitching in the kilt. I just wait until it's on sale at JoAnn's, and it's not that expensive. I do keep my eye out for cheap spools of 100% polyester thread in the sale bins at Joann's. I use this stuff for basting, because you use a lot of basting thread in a kilt, and you just wind up pulling it all out eventually. So, you don't need top quality. Just look carefully at the label so that you aren't ambushed by Dual Duty or cotton-wrapped polyester.

[Barb T]

I know this isn't your question, but, if you're sewing a kilt by hand, you _don't_ want cotton-wrapped polyester (also called Dual Duty). The outer cotton wrapping wears as you pull the thread through the cloth, and the shredded coating winds up getting hung up in little lumpy bits in the cloth, particularly if you're taking out basting thread. I've also been told (although I've never tried to substantiate this) that cotton and silk thread eventually deteriorate, which is not something you want in a hand-sewn kilt. So, I use only 100% polyester.

I use Guterman almost exclusively for any permanent stitching in the kilt. I just wait until it's on sale at JoAnn's, and it's not that expensive. I do keep my eye out for cheap spools of 100% polyester thread in the sale bins at Joann's. I use this stuff for basting, because you use a lot of basting thread in a kilt, and you just wind up pulling it all out eventually. So, you don't need top quality. Just look carefully at the label so that you aren't ambushed by Dual Duty or cotton-wrapped polyester.

[McFarkus]

Thanks, Barb. Great advice!

[Barb T]

Huh - not sure why my post got posted twice. Sorry!

[The Wizard of BC]

I'm with Barb on this one. I use Guttermann exclusively. I use the Polyester on my Poly/Cotton Kilts and 100% Cotton on the 100% Cotton kilts. Wool Kilt are sewn with only 100% Polyester.
For basting and hand stitching of straps I use upholstery thread. This is thick, very strong and waxed. Some people don't like the waxing but I find I can re-use the basting thread by simply ironing it straight.

[kfreeouf]

It looks like I'll be paying JoAnn's a visit tomorrow to take advantage of their sale on Gutermann's.
Barb, Thank you for the explanation regarding hand sewing and the dual duty or wrapped thread. Being self-taught to sew, I always thought the problem of the thread hanging up was improper technique on my part. I never suspected my thread was the cause.
The collective knowledge of this group is astounding!!!
Semper Fi,
Keith
PS This will go into my "Things I didn't learn in the Marine Corps" book!