What is the thickness of a sewing thread?
The lower the number, the heavier the thread. Weight for thick, heavy threads is a lower number (8, 10, etc). For thin, light threads it's a higher number (50, 60).
For example, if you're using size #69 thread, you should use size #18 needle.
When discussing weight of thread, the smaller the number, the thicker the thread. The weight is determined by how many meters of thread it takes for a skein to weigh one kilogram. In this case, the 40 wt thread is slightly thicker (heavier) than the 50 wt thread.
The 60 x 60 means there are 60 threads going horizontally and 60 threads going vertically to form a solid weave. Generally speaking the more threads the better quality or softer the fabric.
A 30 weight thread is heavier than a 50 weight because it is denser and takes only 30 kilometers to equal one kilogram compared to 50. – The fraction on the thread spool tells you the weight and the number of plies or strands twisted together (for instance, 60/2 is 60 weight thread with 2 plies).
40wt is a thread that is significantly heavier than 60wt, and noticeably heavier than the 50wt.
Choose thread based on the type of fiber, look, feel, and thickness and not by the printed weight size. Trust your eyes and fingers more than the label. You'll get better results and be much happier with your selection. Choose fine threads to blend and medium and heavier threads to show.
Heavy-duty thread (size 40) made from polyester, cotton-wrapped polyester or cotton are well suited to a heavier-weight canvas. Wool and upholstery thread are also very strong threads often used when sewing with canvas.
All Sunbrella fabrics can be sewn on a regular, domestic sewing machine, although the specifications do vary based on what fabric you are working with.
Kevlar® thread is one of the strongest and most fire retardant commercially available threads. It is about 2.5 times stronger than nylon or polyester, has almost no stretch, does not melt, and decomposes at 800°F.
What is 50 weight thread used for?
50wt Aurifil thread can be used for machine piecing, hand piecing, machine applique, hand needle turned applique, fine needlework, foundation piecing, miniature patchwork, detailed quilting, bobbin lace making, and machine embroidery.
If you have a choice of two different threads which are very close to the fabric colour, always go for the darker thread. A lighter thread will be more visible whereas darker threads will tend to blend in to the seam. With patterned materials the best advice is to go with the background colour.
To look at it the other way, lower the count, the heavier and coarser it is. Thus 40s thread count yarn is coarser and heavier than a 60s yarn and so on.
12wt thread is actually the thickest thread you can safely fit through the eye of your machine needle and can be absolutely stunning to use in any project. These bold stitches are perfect for eye catching designs, accents, and quilting that can really change the look of your sewing.
| Thread Pitch | Max Thread depth |
|---|---|
| M5 x 0.8 | 10 |
| M6 x 1.0 | 12 |
| M8 x 1.25 | 16 |
| M10 x 1.5 | 20 |
A heavier thread in top and bottom will increase both tensions, and you'll probably need to set a lighter tension to accommodate heavier fabrics.
V-69 is the heaviest commercial size recommended for home sewing machines. Heavier threads make your stitching more visible.
Generally, the higher the thread count, the softer the sheet, and the more likely it will wear well — or even soften — over time. Good sheets range anywhere from 200 to 800, although you'll occasionally see numbers over 1,000.
Example: If a thread is labeled 40 wt. then 40 kilometers of that thread weigh 1 kilogram. A 30 wt. thread is heavier because it takes only 30 kilometers of thread to weigh one kilogram.
It is the method used to describe the density (thickness) of the yarn and is traditionally given in “cotton count” e.g. 16's, 30's, 40's. In this system the lower the count, the thicker the yarn, so a 16's yarn will be thicker than a 40's yarn.
Are thicker threads stronger?
Thread should be as fine as possible depending on the required strength of seam. Generally, thicker threads have greater strength, given the same fibre content and yarn structure. Finer threads tend to blend into the fabric surface and are less subject to abrasion than seams with heavier threads.
With a high strength to weight ratio, nylon is one of the strongest threads available, making it a great choice for stitching upholstery, leather, and vinyl. This bonded 3-ply nylon thread has been specially treated to decrease friction while sewing at high speeds, resulting in smooth stitches.
Size 8/0 is usually the thinnest thread available; we select this thread for tying midges, dry flies, and small nymphs. Tiers specializing in making full-dress Atlantic salmon flies are fanatics about making tiny heads on their flies, and they usually complete their beautiful patterns using size 8/0.
Fabric Care:
You absolutely should pre-wash this fabric. Cotton Linen canvas will be softened by pre-washing and will shrink quite a bit. Machine wash warm and tumble dry. This is the amount of shrinkage that occured on a 5″ square of cotton/linen canvas after washing warm and tumbled dry.
The STRONGEST natural fibre is: Spider silk is one of the toughest natural fibers known in nature. The light, flexible fiber is five times stronger by weight than high-grade steel and extremely stretchy, enlarging to snag incoming insects and other prey.