rhueluna

Hi everyone. I have had a problem with black thread fraying and breaking ever since I started quilting. It doesn't seem to matter what brand or type I try, it seems like the color weakens the tread in some way. Any suggestions for a good strong hand quilting or sewing with black thread would be appreciated. Also which thread brand is the strongest 100% cotton?

Thank you
Rhue

amma

Hmmmm I bought very large cones through ebay of both black and white cotton thread. It is thin enough to piece with, but never have had trouble with it breaking. It was through CTUSA I believe. 12,000 meter spools, 50wt thread. It is a little linty, but I have found that with other brands too. These were around $5 a spool.

rhueluna

Thanks. I mainly do hand piecing and even using short lengths of thread, it starts breaking almost immediately. Maybe it has something to do with hand sewing where the machine it flows through quickly and hand sewing it goes through the fabric over and over with the same thread. But it doesn't do that with any other color. Thanks for the tip.

Shelbie

I have read that many thread manufacturers do not specifically dye black thread. They over dye colours that have not been selling well ie peach. As a result of being processed more than once, black thread may not be a strong as other colours. You could also have a burr on your needle or in your bobbin case that is breaking your thread. If it's only breaking black thread, I'd be suspicious that it is inferior quality that is causing your problems. I find YKK thread really stong.

lab fairy

You might try a thread conditioner. I've only used beeswax for handsewing and would NEVER use it with my sewing machine. It really helps with the drag on thread with handwork. I know there has to be others out on the market. Maybe that would help. I've never really had a problem with blacks.

rhueluna

Thanks for the tips. I have used beeswax and other conditioners with no avail. I can see about the recoloring of other threads. Maybe that has something to do with it. when I use the sewing machine it isn't a problem, only once or twice that I recall. Its mainly hand sewing. I am so surprised that it isn't a problem with others. I may just use a dark color that isn't black instead. I shall try that brand recommended too.

Thank you

ckcowl

it sounds as if you are not using the correct size needle for the thread and fabric combination...if your needle is very thin the hole it goes through will (rub) the thread and cause fraying, also, if the eye of the needle isn't the right one for the thread it will cause fraying. you could switch to a larger needle, see if that helps, or one with a rounder eye. or find a finer thread...i would think changing needles would be easier than new thread. they tend to be a bit cheaper than new thread. also, i found if i'm using a needle threader sometimes it will break wound fibers of the thread and cause it to fray and break. i seem to have this problem alot using 100% cotton thread, takes a while to find the correct needle/thread combo. i love hand piecing with silk thread, it is so smooth, strong, and great to work with. and i use 50 weight. i have applique friends who use 100 weight for hand applique, that to me is too thin for piecing, but the 50 weight is perfect. it is on the spendy side though, so i only use it for special projects.
good luck.

rhueluna

Oh Interesting. Always I hear to use only 100% cotton. So the silk thread works well with cotton? I shall get some black silk thread and give it a try. I thought of the needle too. I will give it another try. Larger needles are just harder to pull through the fabric when hand sewing. But I bet that helps. Thanks

rhueluna

Strange too how it only happens with black thread. I use all colors with applique.