Types of threads for machine sewing.

As there are types of seams, there are also various types of sewing threads . Choosing a good
thread will ensure that your sewing machine does not break the thread . Next, I will tell you about the
most common types of threads that you will find in a haberdashery store:

Thread
Photo of the thread Description
type

General They are the most used to sew various

Purpose garments, curtains, among others. They are
Thread characterized by sewing everything, and you
can use it for hand sewing or as thread for a
sewing machine.

They are made of polyester, which is strong

and is excellent for sewing jobs that look for
threads that give. And made of cotton, they are
ideal for any type of fabric and lingerie work.

Extra strong They are used in fabric furniture such as

thread upholstery and curtains. They are made of
polyester or cotton. Also combined with
polyester and cotton.

Embroidery It is a thread that is made of polyester and in

thread some cases Rayon, they are shiny and reflect
in the light. You can also find them with a matte
finish, they are used for embroidery.

Silk thread This type of thread is ideal for sewing wool or

silk fabrics. Although it is not economical, it is
recommended that you use it on this type of
fabric. You can also use it for hand sewing, as
it is easy to use and does not tangle. It is a
fine, shiny and soft fiber.

basting It is made of cotton. It is ideal for hand basting

thread before putting the garment through the
machine. It is not advisable to use machine
seams for final sewing.

twist thread It is a very strong and thick thread. It is used

when you need to give volume to a finish, such
as buttons, finishing seams, etc.
 Thread
Photo of the thread Description
type

Elastic It is perfect for sewing a swimsuit or elastic

thread sports clothing. It usually comes covered with
synthetic or natural fiber.

metallic To use this type of thread on an orvelock or

thread serger machine, you will need a special
needle. When using it you must sew slowly and
steadily.

Wool nylon It is very strong, fine and soft. It is used in the

thread shuttles of overlock machines. It is an ideal
thread for hemming.

Bobbin It is very fine and is used in sewing machines

Filled for embroidery. They are usually found only in
Thread white or black, although other colors are
currently available.

transparent You can use it for any sewing. Because it is

thread invisible, it is very useful for seams where you
do not want the seam to be seen.

Mercerized Made of cotton, it comes with a shiny finish. It

thread is resistant, so it withstands washing and
ironing at high temperatures.

natural fiber
 Of animal origin: generally protein fibers. They generally burn with a live flame, giving off a
characteristic smell of burnt horn and leaving dark ashes. Human beings have used them
since prehistoric times.
o Hair : the most important is sheep 's wool ; goat ( mohair is from Angora goat ;
cashmere is from Kashmir goat); of various camelids ( llama , camel , vicuña , alpaca );
rabbit , for its good spinnability (ability to form threads); of horsehair . 2
o Silk : The only continuous filament produced by nature is made by the larva of the
silkworm . Research is currently being carried out on spider silk , particularly the golden
silk spider . 3
o Leather : the skin of an animal intended for tanning .
o Byssus : filament secreted by the mollusk Pinna nobilis .
 Of plant origin: generally cellulosic . They are either made
of a single fiber (such as cotton ), or are composed of
bundles of fibers (such as flax , hemp , jute , etc.). They burn
with a luminous flame, giving off a characteristic smell of
burnt paper and leaving a small amount of whitish ashes.
o Seed : cotton, coconut tree , kapok (or kapok, in
English-speaking countries).
o Stem : flax, jute, hemp, ramie .
o Leaf : henequen or sisal , formio , abacá , esparto , miraguano .
o Root : Agave tequilana .
A bundle of fiberglass.
 Of mineral origin: they are inorganic such as asbestos (prohibited due
to the carcinogenic properties of its fibers), fiberglass and fiber of
precious metals, such as gold and silver.
Artificial fibers

Main article: Artificial fiber

The raw material is a natural component, but the filament is artificial.
 Proteins . They can be derived from animal proteins: the casein "lanital" from milk; or
vegetable fibers: "vicara" (from corn ) and "ardil" (from peanuts ).
 Cellulose . They receive the generic name " rayon ", which replaces "artificial silk" used in the
first half of the 20th century. There are several types: nitrocellulose or "Chardonnet silk" rayon,
cuproammonium or "cupro" rayon , viscose or "viscose" rayon , acetate and triacetate rayon or
"acetates", HWM or modal rayon, lyocell .
 Alginic: rayon alginate .
Synthetic fibers
They are obtained from products manufactured by humans, they are entirely chemical. The first
synthetic fibers were classified by the way they were obtained.
 By polycondensation: polyamide such as Nylon , Perlon, Enkalon, PET such as Mylar,
Melinex and polyester such as Tergal, Terlenka, Terylene, Trevira, Dacron.
 By polymerization: acrylic fibers such as Acrylan, Orlon, Leacril , Crilenka; polyvinyl fibers
such as Rhovyl, Thermovyl, Courlene; olefin fibers , or polyethylene , such as Saran, or
polypropylene ; polyurethane fibers , such as elastane or Lycra.
Modern synthetic fibers belong to various groups:
 Aramids : such as Kevlar , Nomex ,
 Microfibers : ultrafine polyester and polyamide fibers, obtained by special processes.
 Carbon fiber : mainly used in the manufacture of composites , it also has applications in the
textile sector.