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Thread: a detail that’s anything but minor
Thread forms the stitch with the needle and the bobbin.
If it’s poor quality, everything else becomes unstable.
Good thread:
- breaks less,
- sheds less lint,
- frays less,
- feeds smoothly through the tension discs,
- is suited to the fabric.
Bad thread causes:
- uneven stitches,
- unstable tension,
- jamming,
- repeated breakage.
Choosing the right thread
Colour
- Matching thread → discreet seams.
- Contrasting thread → intentional topstitching, visible seams.
The choice is aesthetic, but quality remains the priority.
Thread quality
A good-brand haberdashery thread is more consistent:
- consistent diameter,
- even twist,
- fewer loose fibres.
A low-end thread may look fine visually,
but it sheds lint, stretches out, and throws off the tension.
Good thread costs a little more,
but saves you hours of pointless adjustments.
The different types of thread
Cotton thread
- Natural fibre.
- Less stretchy.
- Suitable for non-stretch fabrics.
- May break under high tension.
Polyester thread (the most common)
- Strong.
- Slightly stretchy.
- Versatile.
- Suitable for most projects, including jersey.
Nylon thread
- Very strong.
- Used for certain technical applications.
- Less common in standard home sewing.
Threading: a critical step
Incorrect threading is responsible for a large share of sewing problems.
Essential rule:
Always raise the presser foot before threading.
Why?
Because raising the foot opens the tension discs.
The thread can then sit correctly between them.
How to thread your machine correctly
- Presser foot raised.
- Follow all the indicated guides.
- Pass correctly through the take-up lever.
- Insert the thread through the eye of the needle from front to back.
- Pull the thread under the presser foot before you start sewing.
Skipping just one guide is enough to throw off the tension.
How do you thread your sewing machine?
Key Takeaways
Thread isn’t a trivial consumable.
The right thread, correctly threaded:
- stabilises the tension,
- improves stitch quality,
- avoids unnecessary adjustments.
Before blaming the machine, check the thread.
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The Presser Foot
