What it is: Sashiko thread is a strong, non-divisble 100% cotton thread which has a soft texture and matte look. It's slightly heavier than size 8 perle cotton and is available in both solid and variegated colors. Best for: Sashiko projects, boro mending or slow stitching.
6-stranded embroidery thread, often called floss
You can use it as all 6 strands together, or divide it into 3, 2 or even individual strands. It's fairly easy to divide into strands, if your length of thread isn't too long; once the thread is too long you'll likely find it tangles more easily.
For Slow stitching, I use embroidery needles size 7 (a little hard to thread, but smaller than Chenilles, when you have delicate fabric...or Chenille size 24 (my go too).
Low quality cotton thread can shrink when washed. And just like 100% cotton fabric, cotton thread produces lint. Polyester makes a strong durable thread suitable for all types of sewing. Polyester thread doesn't shrink or fade when washed.
Nylon thread has the best sewability. It is also a bit stronger than polyester and resists abrasion better than any other fiber. As a result, nylon thread is great for use on products that are subject to abrasion including shoes, bags, boots, furniture, footballs, saddles, etc.
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.
The most common threads used to sew stretch knit fabrics are textured polyester or textured nylon threads like A&E's Wildcat® Plus or Best Stretch®. Textured threads are ideal for overedge and coverstitch seams because they offer excellent seam coverage and seam elasticity.
The type of needle you need depends on the weight of the fabric. For lightweight polyester, a size 11/75 or 12/80 universal needle is best. Medium to heavyweight polyester should be sewn with a size 14/90 or 16/100 sharp needle. Try a size 18/110 or 20/120 needle for extra heavyweight fabric.
Embroidery–and textile art in general–are historically recognized as practices performed in community to form memories. Slow stitch is simply embroidery done with a tool that slows the process and makes you present.
Embroidery thread will show the separating strands in the longer sashiko stitches, while sashiko thread will settle into the fabric as a solid little "rice grain like" stitch. Sashiko thread is not 'slide-y', smooth or shiny.
Size 8 pearl cotton or regular cotton embroidery floss can be substituted, but both have a different sheen and twist than sashiko thread, so the final piece will look a bit different. Sashiko thread is available in 20-meter skeins in both solid and variegated colors.
Generally speaking, the larger the size, the thicker and heavier duty the thread is (which means more noticeable seams). Thread weight is the thickness of your thread. Thread weight can vary from fine thread to medium weight to heavy-duty weight. Heavier threads are coarser and work best for thicker fabrics.
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).
Thicker thread should require more tension to avoid puckering lightweight fabrics, but this is often just what you need to avoid issues. A heavier thread in the top and bottom will increase both tensions, and you'll probably need to set a lighter tension to accommodate heavyweight fabrics.
Stretch needles are less likely to skip stitches, but ball point needles should work almost as well. Next, choose your thread. All-purpose polyester thread will work fine as it has some give when stretched. Cotton thread is not recommended.
150m per reel. Elastic sewing thread with high stretch for flexible seams using a straight stitch.
Use the ball point needle when sewing on stretch fabrics or fabrics where skipped stitches easily occur. We recommend needle HG-4BR (Organ). Schmetz needles “JERSEY BALL POINT” 130/705H SUK 90/14 may be used as a substitute.
The cons of polyester are mostly environmental, such as high energy and water consumption, pollution, and inability to biodegrade. But there are material cons as well, such as a higher likelihood of pilling, running, and pulling.
Many quilters prefer to make their quilts out of 100% cotton because it is uniform. While mixing cotton fabric with polyester thread won't make that much of a difference, you may experience different amounts of shrinkage between the cotton and polyester. Cotton will shrink at a higher rate than polyester.
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.