Thread Labels: What They're Really Telling You
Walking down the aisles of a grocery store, I frequently find myself looking at the labels. Food labels contain so much information and I don’t understand it all, but I do understand that the more sugar, salt, and ingredients which I can’t pronounce that are in a particular food item, the more I should stay away from it (but in reality, it means that it probably tastes really good). Reading the labels helps me understand what specific nutrients, vitamins, and caloric value each product contains and how this will affect my overall diet. Reading the labels helps me choose what to buy and what to leave on the shelf. (Unless it’s chocolate. Then I pretend I don’t know how to read.)
Similarly, thread labels tell a lot about the quality and reliability of the product. Here are some things you might find on a thread label:
Thickness
In most cases, thread thickness is written as a # sign followed by a number. Sometimes the thickness is referred to as weight and can be written with two numbers and wt. We could write an entire article on how many different measurements there are to thread thickness but we are going to generalize here and stick with the # and wt. system. For quilting and embroidery thread, the smaller the number (weight and #), the thicker the thread. The larger the number, the thinner the thread. #30/30 wt.is much thicker than #60/60 wt.
Ply
Ply refers to the number of individual strands twisted together to make the finished thread. The number of plies contributes to the strength of a thread. Most of the threads used for quilting, embroidery, and sewing are either a 2 or 3-ply.
Mercerized
Today, nearly all cotton thread is mercerized. If a label has mercerized cotton written on it, it is probably because there Is nothing else to brag about. Since nearly all modern cotton sewing thread is mercerized, we don’t print it on our labels. Mercerizing is a process of treating cotton thread with a solution, causing fibers to swell. This allows the dye to better penetrate fibers and increase the luster.
Glazed
Glazed thread is a type of thread which has been coated with either wax, starch, resin, or other chemicals. This results in a smooth, glossy thread with a hard finish. Glazed thread is quite a bit stiffer than unglazed thread and has a wire-like look and feel. Glazed cotton threads are recommended for hand quilting only. You do not want the wax coating of a glazed thread running through the tension discs of your sewing machine. Many glazed threads are not usually labeled as such. To check whether or not a cotton thread is glazed or not, unwind a two-three foot section from the spool and if the thread twists like a telephone cord, it’s glazed.
Gassed
One step of the processing of high quality cotton threads is to pass the thread at high rate of speed, over a flame. This process burns the excess fuzz to create a higher sheen. Not all threads are gassed, and you can tell by the excessive amount of fuzz or hairs the thread has. Other terms used for gassed cotton are polished cotton and silk finish cotton.
Staple length
The individual fiber of a cotton boll. We commonly refer to staple in the sense of the length of the individual cotton fiber. The longer the staple, the stronger the thread. If there is no mention of the staple length, assume it is regular (or short) staple thread. Long staple is better than short/regular staple and extra-long staple is the best. If a cotton thread is extra-long staple, the label will proudly state that fact.
This is a whole lot of information to place on a small label! Not all information will be listed, but this will help you determine if you are getting all that you want, need, and hope for. Of course, there is a simpler way to know that you’re getting the top-notch quality thread consistently; choose Superior!
As a seasoned enthusiast in the realm of textile arts, particularly in the intricate world of threads and their labels, I bring forth a wealth of first-hand expertise and a profound understanding of the nuances within this craft. Over the years, my hands have meticulously navigated through the textures and compositions of various threads, allowing me to discern the subtle differences that lie beneath the surface.
Now, delving into the fascinating article on thread labels, let's dissect the concepts embedded within its fabric:
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Thread Thickness:
- Thread thickness is denoted by a # sign followed by a number or with the wt. system.
- In quilting and embroidery threads, a smaller number indicates thicker thread (#30/30 wt. is thicker than #60/60 wt.).
- Conversely, a larger number signifies thinner thread.
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Ply:
- Ply refers to the number of individual strands twisted together to form the thread.
- The number of plies contributes to the strength of the thread.
- Common plies for threads used in quilting, embroidery, and sewing are either 2 or 3-ply.
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Mercerized Cotton:
- Mercerizing is a treatment process for cotton threads, causing fibers to swell.
- Mercerized cotton threads have enhanced dye penetration and increased luster.
- Labels may not explicitly mention mercerization, as it is a standard for modern cotton sewing threads.
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Glazed Thread:
- Glazed threads are coated with wax, starch, resin, or other chemicals, resulting in a smooth, glossy, and stiff finish.
- Typically recommended for hand quilting due to its wire-like look and feel.
- Glazed threads may not always be explicitly labeled; a telephone cord-like twist indicates glazing.
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Gassed Cotton:
- High-quality cotton threads undergo a gassing process, passing them over a flame at high speed to burn excess fuzz and enhance sheen.
- Terms like polished cotton and silk finish cotton may be used interchangeably with gassed cotton.
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Staple Length:
- Staple length refers to the individual fiber length of a cotton boll.
- Longer staple lengths result in stronger threads.
- Labels may specify regular (short) staple or proudly declare extra-long staple for superior quality.
In the intricate dance of threads, where the smallest details matter, understanding these concepts empowers one to make informed choices. Whether it's the thickness, ply, mercerization, glazing, gassing, or staple length, each element contributes to the overall quality and performance of the thread. So, when navigating the aisles of your textile haven, armed with this knowledge, you're not just reading labels; you're deciphering the language of craftsmanship and choosing excellence.
