It can be intimidating to be confronted by the rainbow wall of threads at your local fabric store. Here’s how to choose the perfect one!
For a matching thread:
- Take a small sample of your fabric with you.
- Choose 3-4 spools that look similar to the background colour on your fabric – just eyeball it.
- Unwind some thread off each spool (about 10-15cm).
- Lay the strands of thread on your fabric to check the colour match. The colour that disappears is the correct one. I find it usually tends to be a case of no, no, almost, no, that one!
A few tips:
Better quality thread is better for your machine and is easier to sew with – less fluff, less breakages. I use Gutermann or Rasant.
Most thread is made from polyester – it’s strong and holds colour well, Gutermann makes an rPet thread that is made from recycled polyester – mostly from plastic bottles.
For most projects, a 100m spool is sufficient – it’s what I buy if I’m making a dress, top, or pair of trousers. For something more involved, like a tailored jacket, you may need 250m.
You can use up the leftover thread on the spool to sew gathering stitches or stay stitches on other makes – these stitches will either be removed or covered up so it doesn’t matter what colour they are.
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Happy sewing!