Cottons and Polyesters and Blends... Oh MY! Please tell me about thread...

[allnaturalmom]

Hi... I'm fairly new to machine sewing. I'm working on some simple projects and having a blast! I have not, however, been able to figure out a general rule for threads.

This is me at the store trying to pick out a type of thread: :

I asked 3 people at the Joann store the other day about it and got 3 different answers... none of which really answered my question. Is there a general rule-of-thumb as to which type of thread to use for a particular application or type of fabric? (I know about the machine quilting w/cotton thread because it says so right on the spool but that is all I know.

I started out using a 100% mercerized cotton thread and loved it. Then I switched to a cheapy polyester blend that matched the fabric for the next project and the machine started acting all crazy. I dealt with it and it wasn't too terribly bad, but now that I'm back to my cotton thread I'm lovin' life with my machine again!

Also, has anyone ever machine-sewn with organic cotton thread? I've seen the coats spool at the store and it says it's organic cotton and that it is for hand or machine sewing. Do you think it would be strong enough to be used in the machine without breaking? I'm very interested in this ever since I looked up how cotton thread becomes mercerized.

I would really appreciate your thoughts, wisdom, and experience on this!
TIA

[lightheart]

okay here's my opinion and I'm sure others will chime in with theirs

I piece my quilt with cotton fabric so I use 100% cotton thread, if I'm going to machine quilt it will use the same type of thread I pieced with, 100% cotton. If I'm going to hand quilt it I will choose one that's labled 100% cotton hand quilting it's been coated with something (glace?) and a little heavier, or I will use the same old stand by thread I used to piece the quilt with and run it through bees wax.

I used to use I think it was star 100% cotton by coats then I bought a spool of gutermann's when it was on sale and it isn't linty so when I needed more thread that's what I bought.... and that's what I told I wanted when family asked what do you want for Christmas.... so now I have 48 spools of ALL DIFFERENT!!!! colored thread, 100% cotton!!! I honestly haven't worked with it yet so can't tell you actual use experience but I really love the thought!

I would never use sergeing thread for regular sewing even though it's cheap, and I would never use the 4/$1.00 or 2/$1.00 stuff, my time just isn't worth it, I do use that stuff when I'm taking things for temporary seams and for basteing my quilt sandwich.

I have read somewhere about using or not using a certain type of thread for mama pads because it would wick and you might have bleed through, guess the same would hold try for dipers, wished I remembered where I read that one....

I've also read that if you are making swimsuits that you should use a specific type of thread because of the cholrine in the water, again don't remember which but maybe by posting someone will know for certain.

For clothing, even if it's 100% cotton fabric I would be willing to use a poly-cotton blend partly because I have a bunch of good colored thread here (coats all-purpose dual duty) if I didn't have it on hand I don't know what my choice would be.

If you can break the thread by hand by pulling it with 2 hands I wouldn't use it, I imagine the seam of my pants splitting open when I sit down

machines do seem persnickerty about the types of thread, I used some 'upholstry' thread once and my SM hated it, tangles, knotted awful, switched to a regular cotton thread and it was fine. don't know if it was that spool/color/brand but have never used it again in my machines.

I have seen other brands of 100% cotton dyed thread besides Gutermann's.

What are you going to be sewing?

[allnaturalmom]

Thanks so much for the information!

Originally Posted by lightheart

I would never use sergeing thread for regular sewing even though it's cheap,

Does this mean if the thread is labeled "for machine, hand, or serger" that you wouldn't use it? Do they make thread that is solely for sergers? is that what you're referring to or is it all labeled multi-use? I have found Gutterman thread labeled this way. It comes in about 1100-yd spools and it's cheaper (per yard) than the smaller "sew-all" spools, but they're both labeled 100% polyester.

My first project was a Christmas stocking for the baby. I've also just completed a purse and matching coinpurse for dd1. Next up would be a (don't laugh...) pillow collection for both dd1 and two of her friends. I will also be doing a small diaper changing mat for dd2 and finally I want to tackle that 'pants from a t-shirt' project. If and when I can accomplish all of that I may actually try to make something with a commercial pattern.

[lightheart]

by serger thread, at hancocks, the fabric store around here, they have these big tall bins with cone thread it in and it says for serger, it's really cheap for the amount of yardage you get, I'm not for certain on the brand, nor the content, really didn't look, I picked some up for a friend who uses it (for everything) and it was thin, eaisly snapped and was linty. She's my friend and I love her, but she will use any thread. I guess I am a thread snob... in a way... it's just I don't ant to spend a couple hours or a couple weeks sewing something together just to have seams break because of the thread.

your projects sound fun, and the pillow collection does not sound silly at all... that is unless your planning on making a zillion pillows for each!

I need to go look up how cotton thread becomes mercerized... or should I? with that yucky face I don't know if I want to know....