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From: njknight
Date: 07-27-2004, 11:20 AM (1 of 10)
Hi, I have just started a small heirloom pillow cover and bought the light weight thread like they said........but to me is is heavy. It is all cotton but I am wondering if this is what they mean to use to sew the laces together?
Nancyjean
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User: njknight
Member since: 09-28-2003 Total posts: 25 
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From: MaryW
Date: 08-03-2004, 09:21 AM (2 of 10)
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I have no idea, but it doesn't sound like the right stuff to me. I would have thought the thread would have been really fine. What do the directions say for thread?
MaryW
owner/editor of Sew Whats New |
User: MaryW
Member since: 06-23-2005 Total posts: 2542 
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From: dmoses
Date: 08-03-2004, 10:03 AM (3 of 10)
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Nancyjean, I think that the lower the thread weight number, the heavier the thread. So, for finer thread, you would need to choose a thread with a higher number thread weight. I have always found this 'thread weight' business to be very confusing(and backward)!  Hope this helps. Take care,
Donna |
User: dmoses
Member since: 02-22-2002 Total posts: 964 
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From: MaryW
Date: 08-03-2004, 11:32 AM (4 of 10)
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I agree, I never figured it out either.
MaryW
owner/editor of Sew Whats New |
User: MaryW
Member since: 06-23-2005 Total posts: 2542
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From: LeapFrog Libby
Date: 08-03-2004, 01:25 PM (5 of 10)
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I have a suggestion.. Think about the description of the name for the thread.. _____ weight.. In other words it takes a certain portion of this thread to make a certain weight of measure.. So, Higher number for finer thread. (takes more of it to make the weight) Now it makes sense for finer thread to have a higher number, Doesn't it ?? Ask me how many years it took me to figure that one out...!!
Sew With Love
Libby |
User: LeapFrog Libby
Member since: 05-01-2002 Total posts: 2022 
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From: MaryW
Date: 08-03-2004, 06:18 PM (6 of 10)
Nope, the finer the thread, the smaller the number should be according to my cockeyed world. 
MaryW
owner/editor of Sew Whats New |
User: MaryW
Member since: 06-23-2005 Total posts: 2542
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From: paroper
Date: 08-03-2004, 06:55 PM (7 of 10)
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If it seems backwards....musta been done by a man....at least I haven't met many men that arrive at a decision the same way that women do...that other side of the brain thing.
pam
Bernina 200e, Artista V5 Designer Plus, Explorations, Magic Box, Bernina 2000DE & 335 Bernette Serger, Bernina 1530 Sewing Machine, Bernina 1300 DC Overlock (with coverstitch) |
User: paroper
Member since: 02-03-2004 Total posts: 3775 |
From: lonestardancer
Date: 09-29-2004, 03:49 PM (8 of 10)
| You need a 40 weight 100% cotton thread. |
User: lonestardancer
Member since: 09-27-2004 Total posts: 5 |
From: LeapFrog Libby
Date: 09-29-2004, 08:40 PM (9 of 10)
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You all still skipped right over the word 'weight' in the 40 weight thread.. It does make sense. Think about it..
Sew With Love
Libby |
User: LeapFrog Libby
Member since: 05-01-2002 Total posts: 2022
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From: Londa
Date: 10-22-2004, 10:44 PM (10 of 10)
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I'll chime in here - having done LOTS of heirloom sewing in my past. On threads: The higher the number - the finer the thread. However, this is really only comparable within one line. There is no across the brand standard for weight. But it is true, that a higher number is finer. There are only a few threads I know of commonly available that come in the fine weight. THese include Metrosene and Madeira. In Metrosene's their cotton line, there is 50/3 cotton thread - this is 50 weight, 3 ply. It is for common sewing. the best for quilting, sewing say wools, etc. Then you go up to 60/2 thread. This is finer and comes in lots of colors. When I had my shop, I had the entire selection of 60 wt thread. I would always recommend this thread for silks, lightweight silky type fabrics, and of course, fine cottons, linens, etc. as used in heirloom sewing. There is also 80 weight thread. Often called Tanne 80. I always got it from Martha Pullen, and always carried the white and the ecru. In addition to wanting a nice, skinny thread to 'match' the lightweight threads of the fabric sewing on, the reason for lightweight threads is so that the fine french laces can be attached in a 'fine', lightweight, not easily seen manner. ALSO - when doing any hemstitching - stitch patterns that repeatedly go into the fabric in the same place over and over lilke the Venetian Hemstitch and Parisian, and Rhodes stitches - you don't fill up the hole that is being made with a regular or heavy weight thread. Only with a fine thread, does the hole stay there nicely. It's kinda hard to explain. Also - the needle is important for hemstitching. I learned from Margaret Boyles that on a tiny garment, with the correct stitches and 80 weight thread, that even with an 80/12 needle, you can have lovely hemstitching. Most often, however, people think you must use a wing needle - in size 100 or 120. To complete the story - it is the opposite with machine needes; The higher the number, the FATTER the needle. Now - here is where 'men' got into it ( I think) - for hand needles, it is opposite: the higher the number, the skinner the needle (and smaller the hole!). Took me forever to get this all straight in my mind, but I finally did it - so you can too. I do hope this is helpful. Londa www.londas-sewing.com Londa
www.londas-sewing.com www.alondaoriginal.com |
User: Londa
Member since: 05-26-2004 Total posts: 39 
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