Understanding and using a sewing machine for making clothes, mending, quilting, etc. also implies looking for the best thread for sewing machine.
Just as it’s important to know which needles you should use based on the material you’re sewing, like I demonstrated in my article looking for the best sewing machine for leather or the best sewing machine for wigs. Or which type of sewing scissors we might need depending on our work and projects.
Thus, when learning everything about using a sewing machine, there are other additional tools we must learn about and slowly add to our sewing box. Maybe even including learning about French curve rulers.
I will assume that you already know how to thread your specific sewing machine. The user manual that comes with any machine will have instructions for that. I assume that threading the bobbin is where some beginners might stumble but, if you can’t figure it out based on the user manual’s instructions, there are a lot of YouTube tutorials that demonstrate everything related to a sewing machine.
Of course, even if we are amazing at threading the machine, we still need to look for the best thread for sewing machines. Let’s take care of that so that you can start whatever projects you have in mind.
If you need help with your projects, I recommend checking out my post on the best sewing books. It might include some resources that might be helpful for some of you.
Best Thread for Sewing Machine Reviews
Up to this point I didn’t focus a lot on talking about the type of thread we can use in sewing machines.
I previously wrote an article discussing whether we can use embroidery thread in a sewing machine. It’s time to do a more in-depth search by recommending my top picks for the best thread for sewing machine.
As I’ve mentioned in that previous article, embroidery thread can definitely be used in a sewing machine. I should also tell you that we can also get 2-in-1 machines, meaning getting a sewing and embroidery machine, a single model that can be used for both crafts.
However, the feature that most of us must be aware of when we’re talking about threads for sewing machines is that all-purpose polyester is the best sewing thread.
Polyester “sew-all” thread is strong, has good abrasion resistance, and allows a slight stretch. If we’re using it for making clothes, it will give with the garment while being worn.
We can also get threads made of cotton, cotton-wrapped polyester, topstitching or buttonhole twist, rayon, which is the most commonly used in the embroidery industry, and silk.
100% cotton thread is good for cotton or linen fabrics. And it’s also used for quilting projects. But don’t use it on stretch fabrics because it has limited elasticity.
You should also consider that you might need a reel of tacking thread. Tacking thread is usually made of cotton and is very fine. It’s quite crucial because tacking or basting means temporarily holding several layers of fabric with a temporary thread so that the layers of fabric don’t shift while machine sewing.
1. Gutermann Sew-All Thread: The Best Thread for Sewing Machine
Anyone doing general purpose sewing and anyone venturing into making clothes, quilting or mending clothes, should be well aware that polyester sew-all thread is the answer to looking for the best thread for sewing machine.
Being aware of polyester thread is especially important for people who don’t want to spend too much time learning about thread.
The Gutermann Sew-All Thread is my top recommendation for people who don’t want to spend a lot of time understanding the different types of threads that we use for different projects.
If you only buy just one or two spools, that should be the Gutermann Sew-All Thread.
It is 100% long staple polyester.
Of course, it works both for hand sewing and machine sewing. It is, after all, my top recommendation as the best thread for sewing machine.
It works both on natural and synthetic fabrics.
All in all, it’s truly all purpose.
And there are only two color options: white and black.
The Gutermann Sew-All Thread is one of the most highly rated threads you’ll come across and that’s why it’s also my first pick.
Plus, the price is great for the 1094 yards (1000 m) length. That’s a really big amount of thread.
2. Singer All Purpose Polyester Thread, 150 yards
While I am a fan of many Singer sewing machines, including their handheld sewing machine, I don’t love their thread with the same intensity.
I like it a lot but it’s not my top favorite, as you can clearly see.
Still, I certainly can’t deny that the quality is pretty good, the price is nice, and we can buy it in various colors.
The available colors are: black, brown, camel, natural, navy, nurgrey, olive green, red, and white.
It is 100% polyester.
It is suitable for most fabrics, especially clothing, because it’s strong and flexible. Of course, that’s the general characteristic of polyester sew-all thread.
Naturally, it’s designed both for hand and machine sewing.
3. Gutermann Natural Cotton Thread
Besides polyester threads, another highly popular option for both hand sewing and machine sewing is cotton thread.
However, don’t expect cotton to be as strong as polyester. I will say that if you buy only one single spool, then it needs to be polyester.
But cotton has its advantages, too.
100% cotton is limited in its elasticity and that’s why we don’t use it with stretch fabrics.
On the other hand, cotton thread works well if we want to sew cotton or linen fabrics.
Another thing that makes it so popular is the fact that it’s great for quilting.
If you’ll read reviews for the Gutermann Natural Cotton Thread, you’ll see that there are a lot of buyers who use this one for quilting and they love it.
The price is not very cheap but the 876 yards (800 m) length more than justifies the price.
We can also pick from a lot of colors, 30 colors or so, which further demonstrates that it is perfect for a lot of crafters.
Of course, it can be used both for hand and machine sewing.
4. Aurifil Mako 50wt Thread
Another pretty expensive option if you’re looking for 100% cotton thread is this one from Aurifil. In general, the spools from Aurifil are certainly not cheap but they’re highly rated and very well appreciated by sewers.
Another thing that helps with the price is that we get 2 spools of thread of the same color.
In total, the bundle amounts to 2844 yards (2600 meters). Each spool measures 1422 yards (1300 m). That’s a huge quantity so the price is more than justified, in my opinion.
The thread is 100% cotton and it can be of use to many people.
It is a great thread for quilting projects.
It can be used for hand applique, hand piecing, lace, long arm quilting, machine applique, machine embroidery, machine piecing, and machine quilting.
I also love the colors we get to choose from, there are a lot of gorgeous colors to choose from.
5. Coats & Clark Dual Duty XP Heavy
This is another particular thread that is created for some specific fabrics.
It is an extra performance thread that is ideal for heavy-duty sewing needs like sewing on denims, leather, quilted fabrics, sweater knits, canvas repairing, upholstery, and more.
The smooth finish provides consistent tension and great stitch formation.
Of course, it’s a polyester thread.
We can use the Coats & Clark Dual Duty XP Heavy for bolt top stitching, cording, and stitching buttonholes.
Furthermore, it is mentioned that the recommended sewing machine needles to use with this thread are 14, 16 or 18. These are suitable for use on denim, canvas, upholstery fabrics, similar weight fabrics, for leather and faux leather and very heavy non-woven synthetics.
If you’re sewing by hand, use sizes 1 to 6.
The spool features a dual-trap system for more secure storage without the spool unwinding.
We get 4 colors to choose from: black, natural, slate, and white.
The price is quite cheap and we get 125 yards (114 m).
6. Coats & Clark Specialty Thread Upholstery
If you need a very strong thread, you’ll be interested to know more about the Coats & Clark Specialty Thread Upholstery.
Upholstery Nylon is a heavyweight 100% nylon thread. This is bonded 3-ply nylon thread to make it as strong as it can be.
It can be used both for hand sewing and machine sewing.
It also works for both indoor and outdoor heavyweight fabrics.
We are advised to use it with a size 18 needle and increase stitch length.
For a decent price we get 150 yards (137 m). The quantity is good.
Buyers use it for a variety of purposes, for projects that require a heavy duty thread that lasts a long time.
7. Coats & Clark Denim Thread for Jeans
Another type of thread that is created for specific projects is the Coats & Clark Denim Thread for Jeans.
The name clearly indicates what it’s created for.
Of course, you must also use needles that are used for stitching denim and other heavyweight or layered fabrics (100/16, 110/18).
The price is good and the 250 yards (228.6 m) length is pretty nice.
These thicker, stronger threads will always come in smaller lengths. Polyester thread spools are the really big ones. Cotton, too.
8. Dritz Cone Thread Holder, Heavy Duty
This is not a spool of thread for sewing machines, it’s actually a thread holder.
Household sewing machines can have a holder that only holds small spools. On the other hand, when we’re looking for the best thread for sewing machine, there’s a high chance that you’ll come across spools that are quite big.
If that happens, you’ll need a tool like the Dritz Cone Thread Holder, Heavy Duty.
Features
Simply put, this Dritz Cone Thread Holder adapts cones and large spools of thread for use on sewing machines.
It has a simple construction but it’s heavy duty.
The base is made of metal and is sturdy. The wire is the same.
The Dritz Cone Thread Holder consists of a 15 x 5 x 5 inch cone thread holder, a metal thread guide and a spindle.
Thanks to this holder, you can buy a spool of any size and never worry about whether the spool holder that comes with your machine can hold it or not.
Plus, the price around $15 is totally worth it. It’s just as important as choosing the right thread for our projects.
You might think that this Dritz holder might not have a place in a discussion focused on looking for the best thread for sewing machine but I think that it’s the perfect tool for sewers who are not aware that such a tool exists and that many of us will need one at some point.
