I promised that I would get a spool of the new Coats and Clark Dual Duty XP thread (see posts on this topic at http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/t...198/index.html) and test it out.

Unlike the old Dual Duty, which was cotton-wrapped polyester, the new XP is polyester-wrapped polyester. The old cotton-wrapped polyester was a nightmare, because repeatedly pulling the thread through tartan wore the cotton wrapping into little frayed bunches along the thread. Not only ugly for a permanent seam but impossible to pull out cleanly if you used it for basting.

I tested the new Dual Duty XP only with hand sewing on a kilt (I didn't try it in my machine). I am delighted to report that the new XP is pretty great thread. It is a bit springier than other thread I've used (including Gutermann), and it doesn't seem to tangle as easily. I also couldn't detect any fraying of the wrapping even after a long run of pleat basting.

Would be interested to know if others have had a go with this new stuff. I also didn't price it in comparison to Gutermann. I'll check when I go back to Joann's.