Due to the spinning process of the polyester, the thread has a much higher strength and greater elasticity than it's natural counterparts. This makes polyester thread a better use for stretch knit fabrics. The thread also is more resistant to abrasion, mildew, and sunlight than cotton.
Polyester is known for its strength, durability, and low shrinkage and stretch. It's the most common thread for outdoor applications. Compared to nylon thread, polyester thread has superior resistance to UV rays and moisture, but much of its strength is lost after prolonged exposure to sunlight.
Polyester makes a strong durable thread suitable for all types of sewing. Polyester thread doesn't shrink or fade when washed. And polyester thread doesn't produce a lot of lint, which helps keep you machine clean. Most of the “all purpose” thread at fabric and craft stores is 100% polyester.
Polyester Quilting Threads
Polyester is far stronger than cotton, and as a result, you can find this thread in significantly smaller sizes than cotton will be available in because the thread will still retain its strength, even at a super fine size like 100wt.
Nylon has better elastic and abrasion resistance properties than polyester, with its superior stretch and recovery properties making it the preferred choice for upholstery material and thread as well as materials that experience heavy traffic e.g. carpets and other artificial surfaces.
Polyester resists stretching and shrinking, and it also dries quicker than nylon, making it widely used in fabrics for outdoor use.
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.
Polyester is the best thread to sew cotton material because it doesn't stretch and can hold up to repeated washings. You should use polyester thread when sewing with manmade fiber materials, as they are not as strong as other types of threads.
Although an all-purpose polyester thread will work well on most material, the general rule is to use the same type of thread as the fabric. So, for example, if you're sewing with 100% cotton material, use 100% cotton thread and match the thread weight to your fabric.
The best thread to use for hand embroidery is a heavy weight cotton, such as embroidery floss. Embroidery floss is also best for cross stitching too.
Tension settings are another factor to think about when sewing polyester. Most new sewing machines will have an automatic polyester setting, which usually works just fine to accommodate any type of polyester. If your machine doesn't have automatic tension settings, the upper tension will usually sit around a 4.
Choosing the right thread for quilting can seem like a daunting task with all of the thread choices out there. If you happen to have a spool of thread on hand, it's likely polyester thread. You may ask yourself, “Can I use this for quilting?” Yes, yes you can! A polyester thread is a great choice for quilting.
Silk thread is very fine, and perfect for using with natural fibres such as silk or wool. It's very strong and can withstand high temperatures and ideal for tailoring. TIP: Silk thread makes a good basting/tacking thread as it doesn't leave holes in the fabric. Rayon thread is also man-made and has a high-lustre.
Polyester thread won't fade or shrink in the wash. The luster, or sheen, of polyester thread falls between that of cotton and rayon. A medium luster thread, it is suitable for almost any sewing project. Polyester threads do have some give or stretch to them.
Polyester Threads
Polyester is durable therefore less likely to break under tension than cotton thread plus has a bit of stretch to it making it suitable for sewing a wide variety of fabric types. It's a versatile thread which can be used for machine or hand stitching.
As for polyester thread, the color may fade over the years with exposure to sunlight, but there is no evidence that the thread deteriorates like cotton threads, so it's safe to say that synthetic fibers will last longer.
There are three standard thread series in the Unified screw thread system that are highly important for fasteners: UNC (coarse), UNF (fine), and 8-UN (8 thread).
Use cotton thread or cotton covered polyester thread for sewing linen. Seams, Seam Finishes, and Hems: Standard straight seams, medium length stitching (2.5) are good choices. You can also use French seams, fell seams, mock welt seams, and hemstitching if you so desire.
In most cases, thread should match the fabric. If you can't find an exact match, select a color one or two shades darker. (That is because darker shades blend in more and lighter shades stand out more.)
Contrary to popular belief, you do not need silk thread to sew with silk. As long as the thread weight is suitable, you will be fine sewing with cotton or polyester thread too.
If you're sewing in a regular domestic machine, choose a polyester thread designed for clothing construction. We recommend this 40wt thread called Designer™. Not only is it strong, but it carries a small amount of stretch, making it ideal for stretchy fabrics and garment construction.
Material: For most bag sewing applications, thread is offered in four materials listed here in decreasing strength: Nylon (strongest), polyester, polyester/cotton blend, and cotton (weakest).
Piecing and quilting thread can last 50+ years.
Yes, you need to use thread that is made for sewing machines, not hand stitching thread, or embroidery thread. And there are so many choices. The thread I use the most is an all-purpose thread. Your local crafting store will have a good selection to choose from.