What is Cotton Thread?

Cotton Thread

Cotton thread is made from the fibers of the cotton plant, a shrub native to tropical and subtropical regions around the world, including the Americas, India and Africa. The cotton fiber is taken from the cotton plants and then combed, cleaned, and spun into yarn or thread. Cotton thread is a soft, breathable textile, which is the most widely used natural-fiber thread and cloth today.

Different Types of Cotton

The quality of cotton is judged by how long the staple (or fibers) are when taken from the cotton plant. The longer the staple, the finer the thread, and, consequentially, the more expensive. The best cotton thread is made from extra-long staple cotton (ELS). These long fibers make a stronger and softer thread than does the shorter staple cotton. The two best known sources for extra-long staple cotton are American-grown Pima cotton and Egyptian cotton. Any cotton grown in Egypt can be called Egyptian cotton, but unless someone is trying to scam you, the term refers to extra-long staple cotton grown in Egypt. Pima cotton is very fine cotton, but Egyptian cotton is considered the best in the world. To get a real understanding of the difference, feel fabric made of both Pima cotton and Egyptian cotton. Though they both feel fine, Egyptian cotton will feel more luxurious.

Most cotton thread that you buy—unless it is specifically labeled 100% Pima cotton or 100% Egyptian cotton—will probably be made from short staple cotton and then given a treatment of some kind to make it stronger. Most cotton is mercerized, a chemical treatment that smoothes the fiber, gives it a luster, and makes the fiber take dye better.

Uses for Cotton Thread

Sewing: Cotton thread is used both in hand and machine sewing on many fabrics: cotton, rayon, and linen. Available in a wide range of colors, cotton thread can match or contrast most fabric choices. Cotton has little stretch, making it a sturdy all-purpose thread, but probably not the best choice for knit and other stretch fabrics. Heavy-duty Cotton is appropriate for sewing heavier fabrics such as denim, ducking, leather, wool, and upholstery. It is also excellent to use on a serger machine for a fine protective seam.

Machine Embroidery: While not used as commonly as rayon and polyester, cotton can certainly be used on an embroidery machines. It is very strong thread that will give you almost no thread breaks during the embroidery process. It provides an attractive matte finish to the design and is especially charming in lace designs.

Quilting: Cotton is a good medium for both hand quilting and machine quilting. It is strong enough to withstand the heavy usage of the long arm quilter and the tighter tension used to create a puffed look to the quilt. Cotton produces a matt-finished stitch on quilts designed to last for generations. The best cotton will produce a minimal amount of lint in the quilting process.

Choosing Cotton Thread

Cotton thread comes in a variety of weights and styles to suit almost any project. Whatever thread you need, use the best quality thread that you can find. Look for a smooth thread with no "fuzzies" and no bumps. Wrap a strand around your fist and pull on the thread to test its strength. You have only to look at the quilts in museums that have been around hundreds of years to see how long your project could last if you use good quality thread.

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