Choosing The Right Thread From Fiber To Finishing

hread is a key component of many items that we use daily. From apparel that we wear, to the furniture we sit on, thread is all around us. It is even part of the tea bag used at lunch. Sewing threads are generally used to assemble sewn products together, and the quality of the seam is dependent on the quality of the sewing thread used.

Remember: Thread only makes up a small percent of the cost of the sewn product, but shares 50% of the responsibility of the seam.

A&E manufactures quality threads from many different fiber types, thread constructions, sizes, and colors to meet the demands of the markets they are used in. Each market may require a thread with different physical properties to achieve optimum sewing and seaming performance. If you consider the many uses of thread, the complexity of designing a thread is apparent. Consideration must be given to: sewability, seam performance, seam appearance, not to mention availability and cost. Physical characteristics that vary from fiber type and thread construction include: tenacity, loop strength, linear strength, elongation, elastic recovery, loop formation, twist construction, ply security, shrinkage, stitch appearance, colorfastness, resistance to abrasion, chemicals, heat, and light. Therefore using the proper thread for an application will determine the overall quality of your sewn products.

Selecting the proper thread for your product is achieved by first determining the end-use requirements of your sewn products including: seam strength requirements, stitch & seam design, optimum stitch length, and the normal life of the product. Other factors that are considered include the type of material being sewn, the type of sewing machines being used, conditions under which the product must perform, and cost effectiveness.