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Thread!

Here at Connecting Threads, we love thread just as much as we love fabric. So often overlooked, choosing the right thread is one of the most important parts of any sewing project. After all, it’s what holds your project together! We hope this guide will give you a better understanding of what makes each type of thread different, so you can make the best choice for your projects!

Here at Connecting Threads, we love thread just as much as we love fabric. So often overlooked, choosing the right thread is one of the most important parts of any sewing project. After all, it’s what holds your project together! We hope this guide will give you a better understanding of what makes each type of thread different, so you can make the best choice for your projects!

Let’s start with a basic glossary of terms

Weight

(sometimes referred to as size)
The smaller the number, the heavier the thread. Don’t worry, even seasoned quilters get confused by that! Ever wonder how thread weight is determined? It’s calculated by the length in kilometers that it would take to weigh 1 kilogram. Too complicated? Here’s a tip - 50 weight thread is the most commonly used for both piecing and quilting.

Ply

Spun thread is made from strands of fibers (also called filaments) that are twisted together together to make the thread on your spool or cone. Cotton thread is most typically spun into a double- or triple-ply, with polyester usually spun into a single-, double-, or triple-ply.

Staple

Cotton thread is made from lengths of spun cotton fibers, which are also called staples. The longer the staple, the smoother the finished thread will be.

Which type of thread is right for you?

Cotton

Cotton thread is almost universally suited for any type of sewing, including piecing, quilting, and topstitching. Cotton thread is available in a full spectrum of weights, with the most commonly used weight being 50. While especially well suited for sewing plant-based fibers such as cotton, linen, and rayon, cotton thread performs equally well on polyester and polyester blends.

Essential Thread
We suggest...
Essential Thread Logo

Our very own Essential™ is a 50-weight thread, made from three plies of 100% cotton, satin-finished for a gently lustrous sheen. Extra-long staple cotton produces exceptionally smooth thread with very little lint.

Shop Essential™ Spools $5.99 » Shop Essential™ Cones $17.99 »

Polyester

Polyester threads are unique for their durability relative to the diameter of the thread. A very fine weight polyester thread, such as EssentialPRO, can have as much - or even greater! - tensile strength as a heavier cotton thread. Extra-fine polyester threads are particularly suited for quilting when you just want visible texture without visible thread. Oh, and that old adage about poly thread tearing through your cotton fabric? It’s a myth, so feel free to use cotton or polyester thread as it suits your tastes and needs.

Essential Pro
We suggest...
EssentialPro Logo

EssentialPRO is a strong, 70-weight thread made from 100% polyester with a matte finish.

Shop EssentialPRO Cones $9.79 »