Want to know what type of threads your jeans are made of? Simply take a lighter to a loose thread, cotton will burn away to ash while polyester melts down to a plasticky nub. Just try not to light the rest of your pants on fire in the process!
Synthetic fibre threads have more resistance to abrasion, less shrinkage, good colorfastness and stronger than natural fibre threads. Due to limitations of natural fibre threads, manufacturers turned to synthetic fibre threads. Polyester threads are stronger and have excellent sew ability.
Threads are ranked by a number system. A high number indicates a light (or fine) thread, and the medium weight of thread is a 50 weight. Fiber: Try to match thread fiber to fabric fiber. Cotton fabric should be sewn with cotton thread; polyester or manmade fiber should be sewn with polyester thread.
Unlike other monofilament threads made from nylon, MonoPoly is 100% polyester. Commonly referred to as an invisible thread due to its fineness and reduced-sheen, MonoPoly is great for the bobbin or top.
Polyester is known for its strength, durability, and low shrinkage and stretch. It's the most common thread for outdoor applications.
Unravel a clump of threads from another small swatch of the fabric. Hold the clump with tweezers (over your flameproof container) and slowly move a small flame towards the clump. Cotton fibers ignite as the flame draws near. Synthetic fibers curl away from the heat and tend to melt.
Hold a strand of thread up to a light and inspect how many fibers fan out from the strand. A good quality thread will be tightly spun together so that few fibers deviate from the strand. It's not like a string of steel; you'll always see SOME loose fibers (kind of like rope).
Medium-weight polyester threads are the preferred choice for many sewers as a general-use sewing thread for garment sewing, bag sewing, and much more. In lighter weights, polyester threads can be used in a bobbin or as a blind stitch thread—they're even strong and smooth enough to use in a serger!
You simply need to take some scrap fabric or some threads from your cotton clothing and put a flame to them. If you see that the fiber curls or melts, then this indicates that it is made out of polycotton. There should also be some goo, or residue left behind when the material has finished burning.
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).
To feel the difference between cotton and polyester, you can try the following: Touch the fabric: Cotton fabric is usually soft and breathable, while polyester is often smoother and can feel a bit slick or slippery. Run your fingers over the fabric to feel the texture and see if it feels more like cotton or polyester.
Spun Polyester thread has a smooth soft finish and excellent sewability that makes it suitable for both knit and woven fabrics. These 100% Polyester threads are lightweight, strong, and have low lint, making them an excellent choice for serging and overlock machines.
The biggest difference between these two thread companies is the way the thread is wound on the spool. Coats & Clark thread is stacked. Gütermann is cross-wound. As discussed above, buy the right spool for your particular machine.
Polyester/Cotton Sewing Thread
Polyester/Cotton is a multipurpose weight (50) and suitable for all types of fabric, including stretch. This is the most commonly used thread for most of your sewing.
Here's a quick test you can perform on a spool to see if it's in good shape for your next quilt! Cut a 12"-piece of thread from the spool. Tie a knot in the center of the thread. Then gently pull the thread from both ends – if the thread breaks or tears in any way, it's too old to use.
Natural materials are those that are found in nature and have not been made by humans. By comparison, synthetic materials are man-made and cannot be found in nature. Synthetic products are usually created in laboratories by mixing different chemicals, or prepared compounds and substances made in a laboratory.
Polyester is lightweight and has a slightly silkier feel to it than cotton does. It's also perfect for sports. Apparel made from polyester traps the sweat against the skin. This means that polyester shirts may feel slightly clammy in warm weather, but warm in cooler weather.
Filament polyester threads are made from long, thin strands of polyester fibers that are twisted together. The advantages of filament polyester threads are: excellent elongation (the fibers can stretch and recover), smooth presence with no lint and can be finished as a thick or thin thread.
What is 100% spun polyester sewing thread? 100% spun polyester sewing thread is made of 100% polyester staple fiber, 1.33dtex*38mm virgin class. It also be called 100% Polyester Staple Spun Thread. Spun polyester sewing thread is suitable for high speed sewing machines.
Polyester Properties
Relative to cotton, polyester is stronger, with a greater ability to stretch. Fiber strength can range from 2.5 grams/denier to 9.5 grams/denier.