thread from hell

If you were to post your question on alt.sewing or r.c.t.sewing, you would get a treatise on the properties of different threads. However, thread QUALITY seems to be the most important. Some people will only sew with 100% cotton, others demand silk, and still others use poly but it HAS TO be one of the top brands. (Personally, I LOATHE Dual Duty, but some like it). Cheap thread is no bargain, it frequently either acts as you describe, or it keeps on breaking.

Olwyn Mary in New Orleans.

I wish I could help, but I'm not familiar with 100% polyester thread. I have used cotton lace thread that is highly mercerized which is also quite ornery. I just have to deal with it. Let the needle/thread hang loose every few stitches and see if that helps.

Dianne

Sh> Hi All,

Thank you all. I'll try letting it hang loose. I wonder if just running over a plain old candle would do the same thing as Thread Heaven?

John

Thread Heaven disappears shortly after it's used and has never left a stain on anything I've done. I would be afraid that candle wax would melt and stain the fabric.

Lucille

I'm going to add that I probably wouldn't use polyester thread unless I absolutely, positively had to. I never liked working with it and I would try everything else before giving in.

Lucille

What, exactly, are you using it for????? (Yes, it makes a difference).

Olwyn Mary in New Orleans

Well, for what you are doing (sewing umbrellas), bees wax is a time-honored way to coat thread so that it tangles less. In fact you can purchase thread (both linen and cotton) that is coated with bees wax and is used in hand sewing. You can purchase bees wax at any fabric store. It's sold (usually) in a round, plastic container with slits for running the thread through.

Dianne

Sh> Thank you all.

Dianne Lewandowski ,in rec.crafts.textiles.needleworkwrote: and entertained us with

Yes, it is readily available. I use it all the time, time honoured solution and far cheaper than Thread Heaven.

Lucille you make me wonder? When i inhertited my late mother`s sewing stuff i found a square pencil formed piece of what looked like wax , i never knew what it was good for , so just kept it ,,,, maybe it is for `straightening ` threads? i put it in a little plastic drawer , looked at it i forgot i had two of those and somebody once told me they were good to 'iron folds with ?????? mirjam

Thank you all for your help. Mary - I'm using it to sew nylon. I'll give the beeswax a try. John