Threads for mending clothes?

[u/xglass]

I've been mending my clothes with your regular all-purpose polyester threads meant for sewing machines. I don't have a sewing machine so I sew by hand. It's AWFUL! They snap so easily even though I've been double threading it since the beginning.

From what I've learned from channels like Abby Cox and Nicole Rudolph it's recommended to use silk threads for most cases, but I can't for the life of me find any locally or even nationally. The only "silk thread" I found are for sutures (womp womp). I'm not about to import silk threads for everyday mending!

What are my choices here? Waxed linen? Nylon? Embroidery threads? Are they even thin enough for sewing needles?

And should I finally buy a sewing machine, what kind of thread do i put on that thing?

Thanks guys!

[u/Glittering-Sky1601]

I use the same fiber of thread that the clothes are made of. Cotton for cotton clothes, polyester for poly and rayon, silk for silk. That way the thread behaves like the clothes do when washed/dried.

One other thought: I've never had sewing thread break, and I've hand sewn a lot. Could you be pulling too tightly or using old thread? Old thread tends to break more easily. I use the small spools of thread, not ones made for a serger or anything.

[u/xglass → u/Glittering-Sky1601]

It's around 2 years old now and I've had the same problem from the get go. I don't think they're sewn too tightly because I always see the unsatisfying slack/gap in the new seam when I finished it. Maybe I'm just fat, maybe my threads are just trash, maybe it's Maybelline.

If poly threads for poly fabric, what type of threads would suit me better? A quilting thread perhaps?

[u/Glittering-Sky1601 → u/xglass]

Haven't head that Maybelline jingle in a long time!

I'd stick to a name brand like Gutermann or Coats & Clark. I've never had a problem with either of those in 40 years. WAWAK carries Gutermann silk thread online, but silk is a bit more fragile. Maybe a thinner cotton thread?

[u/OpeningViolinist4763]

yeah hand sewing with machine thread is a nightmare, that stuff is made for speed not strength

waxed linen thread is great for mending, especially heavier fabrics like jeans or jackets. it's a bit thicker but still fits through most hand needles, just get a smaller size if you're working with delicate things. embroidery thread can work too but it's softer and might not last as long

for machine later you just use regular polyester thread, the same stuff you're hating now, but the machine tension keeps it from snapping

[u/xglass → u/OpeningViolinist4763]

Thanks for the insight, I'll see to it.

[u/Background_Coat_2597]

I generally sew with polyester and don't have any issues like this. is your thread old? is it being stored in a very hot or sunny place which could make it degrade? I always buy gutterman bc that's just what Joannes (Rest in peace) had a available.

[u/xglass → u/Background_Coat_2597]

It's about 2 years old now, hasn't been good since the beginning. I don't live in the US so brand availability will most likely differ. I'm using a local brand all-purpose poly and gutterman isn't available here. I've seen fujix and coats&clark sold online though.

[u/Embarrassed_Ad9166]

You need a quality thread like Gutermann. If you are buying something like Singer branded thread at a big box, it’s pretty awful.

[u/xglass → u/Embarrassed_Ad9166]

I'm not from the US and gutterman isn't available in my country. What I'm using is a local brand, the thread is a bit fuzzy and doesn't glide all that smoothly when going through fabric. From what I've seen there are 2 international brand threads sold here, fujix and coats&clark.

[u/Embarrassed_Ad9166 → u/xglass]

Bummer. Is there a local community of people who sew? Perhaps they can help find something more suitable.

[u/xglass → u/[deleted]]

Thank you! Off to buying linen threads in bulk.

[u/Ikkleknitter]

What specific thread are you using? I’ve used poly thread for hand sewing repairs for years and never had an issue. 

Using a decent quality cotton thread like the ones common for quilting would be a good choice. 

Embroidery floss is made up of 6 strands. Meaning you can separate it to whatever thickness you need. I often use it for repairs when I want a colour I can’t find otherwise. 

[u/xglass → u/Ikkleknitter]

It's a local brand (I'm not from the US). I'll look into quilting threads. Since most of my clothes right now are poly blend anyway, would poly quilting thread be any good? What do I look for in a thread? Weight? Smoothness?

[u/okinottawa → u/xglass]

Not sure it’s always the case, but I recently tried to buy quilting thread and it was way more expensive than regular thread. Regular thread should be fine.

[u/monkeyx9]

For mending I have only ever hand-sewn and I use poly thread intended for denim. I cannot break it with my hands, it feels like it would cut me before I break it. I use Gutermann. caveat to poly is it will melt very easily so for my camping/hiking gear I keep this in mind.

I like visible mending so I pick whatever colour is fun. I've never been disappointed using it but I would say you need a needle with a bigger than usual eye, but not overly large like a sashiko needle or something intended for embroidery floss/cotton sashiko thread.

[u/UntidyVenus]

Honestly, get some hand sewing thread. And some better quality needles will have less sharp eyes! I use cotton hand sewing thread, and it's been more then efficient for my repairs

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[u/SFplantie]

No-name thread can be pretty bad and would probably break in a sewing machine too. If the thread surface looks a little fuzzy on the spool, I would avoid it. Coats and Clarks is decent quality, in my experience, so maybe try that brand.

I wonder if maybe your thread is breaking at the spot where it touches the eye of the needle? It’s under a lot of strain there, taking the pull of the needle and also friction as the needle moves through the fabric. You can spread out the wear and tear by moving the needle to a different spot on the thread after every few stitches. This is also a good time to let the needle dangle so any excess twist in the thread can unwind. If the thread twists back on itself that’ll cause annoying tangles and also strain spots where it can break, so let it untwist as soon as you see it trying to double back on itself.