Stop Using All Purpose Thread for Hand Sewing! How to Choose The best thread for hand sewing

[@ThimbleAndPlume]

Would you like to level up your hands sewing skills? Make sure to Watch How to wax your thread kzbin.info/www/bejne/qmTGhop4l96bkKc and How to choose the correct needle kzbin.info/www/bejne/e3u8nWiEYtBgjqc

[@annak1371]

Also, thank you for your helpful videos.

[@debrarodriguezestrada2748]

I buy vintage thread from second hand stores. I have even found silk and linen thread to go with my mercerized cotton! And wooden spools!

[@UniversalEngineer]

What a fantastic video/post!!! Mindfully choosing a thread now brings a WORLD of difference in creating an organic and authentic experience! It’s a life changer! I never knew. Goodbye cold, harsh, polyester machine thread for my intimate handsewing time. Thank you so much! . 👏👏👏

[@ThimbleAndPlume]

Glad it was helpful!

[@skirtedgalleons]

I just found this and it is so helpful. No wonder I've been so frustrated hand sewing.

[@ThimbleAndPlume]

Glad it was helpful! This was probably the thing that changed my hand sewing experience the most!

[@mmcgartland2095]

I assumed that I was the trouble for years. Finally I found tips and skills recently. I appreciate your time sensitive for me

[@ThimbleAndPlume]

I hope you find it useful!

[@GavrielAbrahams]

This is exactly how I'm feeling! I recently got picked up for peerage in my LARP and started stressing because there's a bunch of sewing requirements and I don't have a sewing machine or time to be stuck at a table using one. But now I'm starting to realize that my bad relationship with hand sewing is entirely based on doing everything wrong!! 😅

[@Th3Kn1ght94]

I was so frustrated with sewing with "all-purpose" thread. Switching to a thicker thread, even if it was still polyester, made such a huuuge difference.

[@ThimbleAndPlume]

I agree! The thicker thread already makes a huge difference!

[@marialouise3450]

Hi from sweden! My uncle and his fiance(e) are getting married in like a month, and I who's never sewn anything in my life, thought hand sewing/making a dress for the occasion was the perfect idea lmao These tips were super helpful, now I just gotta wait for my fabric to get here. (We do have an old singer sewing machine that I plan to use a little bit as well, if I can figure out how it works that is)

[@ThimbleAndPlume]

So glad you found the tips useful. My advice now is to give yourself lots of grace and love as you embark on your sewing adventure since it is your first. Remember that you can do it because there will be times that you will question that. I have been doing this for a long time and I still get bogged down and question myself.

[@JillianEve]

Another amazing and informative video!!! I'm planning to spin my thread and knowing that commercial wool thread isn't strong enough is so helpful. I'm thinking the breed of wool is the issue. If they are using something like Merino or Cormo, it won't have much tensile strength no matter what you do. I might need to experiment with making hand sewing thread from a breed like a Lincoln Longwool or Cotswold. 🤔 Thank you!!!

[@ThimbleAndPlume]

Thank you. You are too kind! That is an amazing idea! Yup, usually the wool thread I find is merino wool. If you do experiment, please do a video! I am so interested!!!!

[@deeterr1227]

I use upolstery thread, (never All Purpose thread) and if needed melted beeswax. Uncomplicates my world. For canvas, leather and wooden reeds I use sinew and glovers needles. For very delicate fabrics I use a beading needle and size 0 Bonded nylon thread (w/ melted beeswax if needed). I think I'll reframe from making ANY historical masterpieces. Video was quite much for me to follow, guess Im just a simple Native American woman who makes ancestral and modern regalia and beadwork for family, children and friends. Oh and occasionally I need to use Dental floss on certain animal Hide projects. All in all, I just love needle work😊. One more thing, even when I'm sewing, say, a skirt for myself, I still use whats in my arsenal that I mentioned above. See very uncomplicated. My apologies I couldn't grasp your video, but I still wanted to respect and acknowledge it.

[@ThimbleAndPlume]

thank you for the acknowlegement

[@juststartingover2735]

Came looking for this exact information 😁 thank u

[@godschildyes]

You are such a wonderful and detailed person! I just love your personality and your look! As a hand sewer, this I formation is invaluable to me and I thank you from the bottom of my heart! New subbie! 😄 By the way, your hair is GORGEOUS as are you! ❤

[@maggielo9855]

You have such a great personality to watch! Thanks for the education.

[@ThimbleAndPlume]

Wow, thank you!

[@negra_cucurumbe]

Very informative thank you. I am going to start hand sewing and this helps a lot. You’ve gained a subscriber ❤️

[@ThimbleAndPlume]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@saltlifegull4091]

WOW! What ya can learn from her channels! THANK YOU!!!

[@badieanis5993]

Thank you for the brief and to the point information 🙏

[@ThimbleAndPlume]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@balgrantango460]

Thank you! What thread should I use for hand sewing drapes (60% cotton/polyester).

[@ThimbleAndPlume]

Since you are handsewing, I would suggest sticking with one of the topstitching threads you can get from your big box stores. Something heavier to make it easier to handle the thread as you sew, and the bonus is that drapes usually need a heavier thread anyway!

[@batatak108]

Thank you, very useful for me.

[@ThimbleAndPlume]

You are welcome!

[@annak1371]

Oh my... Now I know why I am having so many problems. I am using an all-purpose 100% polyester machine sewing thread. And, although I tried using it unwaxed & waxed, when I tried waxing, I only had candle wax on hand, so that's what I tried using. It was a disaster. I even tried doubling the thread, because it is super fine. I bought it from Walmart to make doll clothes for my girl's Barbies. I thought I was going to hand sew these clothes, using the cheapest thread Walmart carries, to save money. Now I have thread that I hate using and I can't even hand sew with it. 😥 Ok. I'm sad, but now I know what to do. So, I'm going to get proper thread. I'm pretty sure my needles are ok. At least they are not jagged and are not rusty. Thank God!

[@ThimbleAndPlume]

All purpose thread is fine for machine sewing, but definitely not the best for handsewing. And quality does make a difference as well.

[@annak1371]

@@ThimbleAndPlume Thank you for all of your advice. I have the proper thread now and beeswax and even proper needles. Although I just learned a new lesson on needles. My Mom though she was helping me by buying me some of those needles that have the slit in the side, so that you can more easily thread your needle. I learned that you should not use those type of needles on fuzzy fabric such as flannel. They get stuck. I had to cut my needle out of my fabric. Also, I find that I could thread the normal needles much easier than the open sided ones.

[@lewisstaff2536]

Very helpful video thank you 😊

[@ThimbleAndPlume]

Glad it was helpful!

[@briansuggs9035]

I just started with leatherwork and i am hand sewing with outdoor thread from big box stores. What kind of thread ahould i be using for wallets and belts and should i be wacing the threqd as well? Thanks

[@lyndagabriel6539]

Great video. Can you comment on what thread I should use for hand-sewing on a high quality cotton shirt (algodon... if that's not just a translation of cotton... but I know it is top quality 100% cotton). Thanks!

[@ThimbleAndPlume]

Rule of thumb when handsewing is to use a thread that is the same fiber of your fabric. Except with wool since it is difficult to find strong wool thread. But, you could also use a poly blend if you prefer. The main thing is the thickness of the thread. Unless you are sewing something very fine, you want a beefier thread than machine thread.

[@ashleysovilla2037]

Thank you for this! 💕

[@ThimbleAndPlume]

You're so welcome! So glad you found it useful

[@hannahbradshaw2186]

Very late comment but if I'm sewing with a fine-ish cotton lawn (Swiss dot), what's the best hand sewing thread? I'm making an early 1800s dress and will sew the main seams by machine with cotton thread but will need to do a lot of finishing by hand.

[@ThimbleAndPlume]

I would use a cotton thread with a similar fineness to your fabric. If you can't find cotton, a linen thread would be good too. The most important thing is to make sure it is fine enough that it works well with the fabric.

[@hannahbradshaw2186]

@@ThimbleAndPlume thanks so much for your help! What's a good way of ensuring the thread fineness matches the fabric?

[@klsijan]

Question- I cannot seem to re-create a lettuce hem in a dance costume (mesh like, see-thru fabric. What is best hand sewing thread to sew a manual lettuce hem? I have a picture from a video. Let me know if you need to see that and/or picture of the fabric. Costume currently has high/low hem, and she wants the hem shorter and more ‘evened up’. Thanks

[@ThimbleAndPlume]

hmmm. I've only done a lettuce edge using an overlock machine. If you send me that picture, I can see if I can figure it out. But, my best educated guess would be to use an overcast stitch (which is a lot of sewing), and a fuzzier thread would help to cover the most surface area.

[@anithasiva265]

Super

[@ThimbleAndPlume]

Thanks

[@TabletopIsland]

Do you know a thread type or brand that can easily break at the fingertips by pulling apart? I know that’s the opposite of what you typically look for with sewing, but I need it for a project and you seem very knowledgeable about threads 😭🙏🏼. The one I’m currently using is Gutermann cotton thread which can break however it needs a relatively hard tug. I’ve been told Rylan thread was easy to break but haven’t tried it yet.

[@ThimbleAndPlume]

Yes! Look for something called Basting thread. I've seen that Wawak carries it, but I haven't actually tried theirs. Or, you can be like me and look for some very old weak thread. Lol

[@TabletopIsland]

@@ThimbleAndPlume Where does one find old weak thread? eBay?

[@ThimbleAndPlume]

@@TabletopIsland maybe try garage sales or thrift stores? I was given a box of sewing stuff when a friends relative passed. Some of the thread was quite old. It was unsuitable fir sewing, but perfect for basting.

[@TheExalaber]

I have heard of people sewing with their weaving yarns. Do you think that would work well?

[@ThimbleAndPlume]

When you say weaving yarns, do you mean the threads that are pulled from the fabric they are sewing on?

[@TheExalaber]

@@ThimbleAndPlume Yes, or the yarn that they wove the fabric from, put on a spindle, given extra twist, and waxed.

[@ThimbleAndPlume]

Yes, it can work if the thread quality is good. Many times, modern fabric just doesn't have strong enough weaving yarns (at least in my experience)

[@SummerSaysSo]

Is silk thread machine washable/dryable?

[@ThimbleAndPlume]

Yes, but I wouldn't recommend drying it. The heat of the dryer will weaken it over time. Also, if you do choose to wash it in the machine, use cold water so as to limit any shrinkage or bleeding of the dye. I only ever use silk thread on silk garments, and it can be tricky washing silk fabric. It can change the hand and the finish of the silk, so definitely do a test swatch before you wash it.

[@SummerSaysSo]

@@ThimbleAndPlume Thanks so much for getting back to me. :) I’m trying to get a handle on what thread would be best to use for working on my modern clothing that I generally run through the machines. Would linen work better?

[@ThimbleAndPlume]

What is your favorite thread for Hand Sewing?

[@okra6959]

Guitar

[@LoveMusic-pd5iz]

I used to use silk...from my grandmother's sewing basket...but long ago (I'm 72) I used it all up and couldn't afford more. Then I struggled for years with standard machine sewing thread, trying all the different waxing techniques. I switched to cotton hand sewing thread after learning about twist and weight. Today, from this video, I learned more...hey, you're never too old to learn, try something different, fail and learn again! Thank you for all your detailed posts; they make it obvious you are not only talented and experienced, but you do your research. Please let us know what size(s) linen thread you use. Perhaps that information will prevent another 10 years of personal experimentation :)

[@WaschyNumber1]

What is doubleing 🤔 and how is the proper way to knot the thread 😳 im getting more and more confused.

[@ThimbleAndPlume]

There is so much when it comes to this stuff, that it is easy to get confused. So doubleing is when you pull a longer length of thread, and place the cut ends together, then knot it. This means that both threads are used together as you stitch. When you do this, it tends to tangle much easier. So, I prefer to put the thread through, and only knot one end, then the other is left to hang free and doesn't get used during stitching. As for knotting, I have this video for that kzbin.info/www/bejne/oWrMaHt8rcuWrJY.

[@WaschyNumber1]

@@ThimbleAndPlume Thank You Very much ☺️