Introduction:

Sewing Thread is a basic raw material for giving desired shape to a garment and holding the body parts together by creating seams. It is a very important item for tailoring shops, industrial garment manufacturers and fashion houses. It has both functional and aesthetic properties. When we are using it for making seams then it is playing its functional role and when we are using it for embellishment purposes like embroidery or applique then it is playing its aesthetic properties.

Besides, it is also used in the automotive industries for making car seats, airbags, seat belts and the vehicle interior design. It is also used in the footwear industries. It has a great use in the embroidery industries too.

As sewing thread has a variety of types and end uses, we should have proper knowledge about it before buying and using. Now we will know about the definition, types and end uses from below illustration.

Definition of Sewing Thread:

Sewing thread is a trim which ensures the functional properties of a garment or any clothing product by securing the seams. It is a special type of yarn which is used for sewing but not for knitting or weaving.

It can be made of staple fibre or continuous filaments by twisting hardly or slightly. Two or more filament yarns are twisted together to make threads. Sometimes single filament is also used. Natural or synthetic or blended fibres can be used to make sewing threads.

If we talk about closing and top stitch seams then core spun threads are perfect which can give outstanding quality seams. For over locking or cover stitch seams continuous bulk filament threads are perfect. For high quality denim garment, natural and synthetic fibre blended core spun threads are perfect for closing seams. For achieving perfect seam strength for leather goods, continuous filament threads are perfect.

Classification and End Uses Of Sewing Threads:

Above 90% of sewing threads are manufactured for industrial and commercial purposes. Now a day manufacturers are producing threads of several categories according to end uses with tons of shades with better quality. There are several types of sewing threads are available but the main three basic types are done according to follows:

1. Substrate

2. Construction and

3. Finish

Sewing Thread Classification According To Substrate:

According to substrate threads can be classified into two main categories: natural and synthetic.

Natural Thread:

These are used in a small quantity in the industrial area. It can be made of cotton, silk, wool, linen etc.

Cotton Thread:

Cotton is the most used natural sewing thread and ideal for basic sewing. It has better sew ability with less kinking or drop stitch. When sewing machines run for a long time needle generates heat which can easily be absorbed by cotton thread. It can easily be dyed and also well molded into the seams. Strength and abrasion resistance are not so good as compared to synthetic threads. Cotton thread can be classified into three categories as follows:

1. Soft

2. Glace and

3. Mercerized

Soft finished cotton threads are only bleached and then dyed. Glace cotton threads are treated with wax and special chemicals for hardness and glossy look. They have greater abrasion resistance than any other cotton threads. Mercerized cotton threads are treated with caustic solution to make them more smooth, lustrous and stronger.

Uses:

1. Tea bag string.

2. Soft finished threads are used in the low graded garments.

3. Glazed threads are used for sewing heavy materials, leather and canvas.

4. Mercerized cotton threads are used in the lingerie products and also for garment dye program.

Silk Thread:

Silk thread is costly compared to cotton thread. There are mainly three types of silk thread. They are lightweight, medium weight and heavy weight. Though silk thread is known for its use on embroidery purpose, it is also used for sewing silk and woolen products. It is an excellent sewing thread as it is very flexible and leaves no hole on seams of the products. It can be of double ply or triple ply.

Uses:

1. Used for embroidery purposes.

2. Hand sewing and embellishment purposes.

3. Coarser silk threads are used for quilting, making appliques, bindings and tailoring button holes.

4. Light weight silk threads are used for delicate fabrics.

   

Woolen Thread:

Woolen threads are stronger than cotton and linen threads and used for embroidery projects and also for making stitches on blankets. Woolen threads are of three types. They are persian, tapestry and crewel. Persian woolen threads are heavy weight, tapestry threads are medium weight and crewel are light weight.

Uses:

1. Used for embroidery purposes.

2. Used for making stitches on blankets.

3. Stitching heavy weight fabrics like canvas and woolen.

Linen Thread:

Linen is the oldest textile sewing thread. It is suitable for lock stitch seams. It is very easy to dye and swells when wet. Seam made of linen thread enhances the aesthetic properties of a garment as for its natural look.

Uses:

1. Bedding and mattress.

2. Book binding.

3. Canvas.

4. Carpets.

5. Lace.

6. Outdoor goods and sports.

7. Automotive industries.

Synthetic Sewing Threads:

The most common synthetic sewing thread used is made of polyester and nylon. 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.

Sewing Thread in Textile Manufacturing:

Sewing Threads are manufactured by twisting short fibres or by continuous filaments yarns. At times two or more yarns are combined to make the thread to get the required strength.

All sewing threads begin as simple yarns. Twisting together short fibers or continuous filaments produces these yarns. Two or more yarns are combined to make the thread. There are various factors depending on general and specific end uses, which when carefully analyzed can help in the better selection of appropriate thread for sewing apparel to achieve optimum performance.

Factors like type of seam, stitch type, stitches per inches, sew-ability, loop strength, linear seam strength, type of material being sewn, type of sewing machines, elongation, shrinkage, abrasion resistance, colourfastness, and resistance to chemicals, heat light conditions under which the product must perform; normal life of the product; and cost-effectiveness etc. must be considered while selecting sewing thread.