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The Fabric, Thread, and Needle Connection
We think it should be easy, after all
it's just putting together the three same
things we use to sew and quilt. Anyone
have any aspirin laying around? New fabrics,
different threads, and enough needles to
keep us, well... speechless.
This chart is by no means complete (as
long as there is new stuff, nothing is
really complete), but we think it's a pretty
good way through the maze. And just
in case you couldn't tell, I really love
silk thread.
Fabric,
Thread, and Needle Basics |
| |
| Fabric |
Thread |
Needle |
| |
General
Purpose |
Top
Stitching |
Machine |
Handwork |
| Very lightweight:
Batiste, Chiffon, Organza, Voile
and similar fabrics |
Very fine, embroidery,
silk |
Very fine, embroidery,
silk |
9/65 |
9 - 12 |
| |
| Lightweight: Challis,
Chambray, Crepe/Crepe de Chine, Eyelet,
Gauze, Georgette, Interlock, Jersey,
Seersucker, Silk, Taffeta and similar
fabrics |
All purpose blends
and 100% natural threads including
silk |
All purpose blends
and 100% natural threads including
silk |
11/75 |
8 or 9 |
| |
| Medium-weight: Broadcloth, brocade,
chino, chintz, corduroy, flannel, linen,
pique, satin, shantung, suiting, sweatshirt,
swimsuit, terry, velour, velvet and
similar fabrics |
All purpose blends
and 100% natural threads including
silk |
Topstitching, buttonhole
and twists, heavy silk |
11/75 or 14/90 |
7 or 8 |
| |
| Medium-to-Heavyweight: denim, double
knit, drapery, fake-fur, fleece, gabardine,
leather, quilted, ticking, twill, upholstery
and similar fabrics |
Topstitching, buttonhole,
twists, heavy silk, upholstery |
Topstitching, buttonhole,
twists, heavy silk, upholstery |
14/90 or 16/100 |
6 |
| |
| Heavyweight: canvas, ducking, sailcloth,
upholstery and similar fabrics |
Topstitching, buttonhole,
twists, and upholstery |
Topstitching, buttonhole,
twists, and upholstery |
18/110 |
1 - 5 |
| |
| Specific
Sewing |
Thread |
Needle |
| Quilting by Hand |
Cotton or blend hand
quilting |
Hand Quilting Betweens
7 - 12 |
| Quilting by Machine |
Cotton, poly-blend,
silk, fine embroidery, and monofilament |
Machine 14/90 |
| Applique by Hand |
Cotton, poly-blend,
silk |
Hand Quilting
Betweens
8 - 10 |
| Applique by Machine |
Rayon, silk, embroidery,
cotton, poly-blend |
Machine 11/75 |
| Machine Embroidery |
Rayon, silk, embroidery,
cotton, poly-blend |
Machine 11/75 |
| |
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Did
You Know?
The discovery of the silk
from the silkworm species Bombyx mori occurred
about 2700 BC. According to Chinese tradition
the bride of Emperor Huang Ti, a 14-year-old
girl called Hsi Ling Shi, discovered the
invention of the first silk reel.
Sericulture,
the cultivation of the silkworm, spread
through China making silk highly valued
and much sought after by other countries.
In 139 BC the world's longest trade route
was opened; it was named
the Silk Road.
By 300 AD the secret of silk production
had reached India and Japan.
By the
18th century England led Europe in silk
manufacturing because of English innovations
in the textiles industry. Included were
improved silk-weaving looms, power looms
and roller printing.
Between 1855 and 1865
an epidemic called Pebrine
disease, caused
by a small parasite, raced through the
industry. It was Louis
Pasteur who discovered it could
be prevented through simple microscopic
examination of adult silkmoths.
Much research
was carried out on silkworms at this time,
ultimately setting the stage for a more
scientific approach to silk production.
Silk production today is
a combination of old and modern techniques.
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