How Is Sewing Thread Made?

Manufacturing sewing thread is a complicated process.

You reach for an emergency sewing kit when the button falls off your shirt and quickly replace the button with a needle and thread. This seems like such a simple and uncomplicated task that most people never give it much thought. The creation of manufactured sewing thread, however, is actually a fairly complicated process, but one that provides a very important and functional creation. Sewing thread not only holds buttons on, it also forms the critical stitching that holds all types of fabrics together. There are a lot of demands placed on these thin, seemingly fragile, threads.

Types

Thread is produced in three basic categories. These categories are named after the materials from which they are made. Synthetic thread is made from synthetic fibers including polyester and nylon. Animal thread is made from fibers created by animals, such as wool and silk. Plant thread is made from plant fibers including cotton. All of these types of thread are produced in unique ways and then are finished by dying the various colors and winding the thread onto spools.

Synthetic

Thread made from synthetic fibers stretches well, does not shrink and is very strong. Polyester is a synthetic fiber that is made from petroleum byproducts left over in the manufacturing process of crude oil. The polyester begins as chips, which are then spun into long filaments. These long filaments are twisted together and then stretched and tested. Weak sections are removed and the strong sections are bound together and stretched again to form long threads.

Silk

A silk worm spins a cocoon by secreting a silk string from a gland under its mouth. The silk can be harvested while the worm is still in the cocoon. The resulting fiber produces nett silk. The silk can also be harvested once the moth leaves the cocoon. In that case, the resulting fiber is called Schappe silk. Nett silk is naturally very soft and smooth. Schappe silk is rough and requires softening in the harvesting and manufacturing process.

Cotton

Cotton is picked in the fields and then packed into bales. The bales contain dirt and debris and have to be broken down and cleaned by a specialized machine. These cleaned fibers are then combed and spun into threads. These thin threads are spun together to form cotton sewing thread. The thread is strengthened by being pulled across a flame and singed and also through immersion in caustic soda.

Specialized Threads

Specialized threads are made from all three types of thread: animal, plant and synthetic. These threads are designed to suit a specific purpose and go through additional manufacturing steps. Some specialized threads are used in waterproof clothing. These threads are treated with chemicals to make them waterproof. Upholstery thread is another specialized thread. It is very strong thread that is reinforced to increase strength and durability. Thread can also be made with a combination of fiber types to suit a specific purpose.

References

• Made How: Thread