Thread for Sewing

This comes down to personal preference. Both fibers are excellent choices, and many sewists keep both on hand for different projects.

Cotton thread offers a natural fiber experience that sewists have trusted for generations. Dream Seam is made from 100% Egyptian-grown extra-long staple cotton, the finest cotton available. The extra-long fibers (1.5+ inches, compared to standard cotton at 1 inch) create a smoother thread with fewer joins, resulting in less lint and stronger seams. As one sewist shared, "It sews like a dream. Thin yet strong and not a lot of lint."

Polyester thread offers exceptional durability and versatility. Perfection is a lint-free multifilament polyester that stitches smoothly through heavy fabrics like canvas, vinyl, and faux leather. It holds up beautifully on stress points like strap attachments and zipper ends.

Neither fiber is "better." Cotton offers that traditional natural feel many sewists love. Polyester offers synthetic durability for demanding projects. Both produce beautiful, lasting results.

Browse Dream Seam Thread

Thread weight affects how visible your stitches are and how much bulk they add to your seams. The choice depends on what role you want your stitching to play.

50 wt. thread (like Perfection or Dream Seam) is finer and blends into your fabric. Use it for construction seams where you want minimal bulk, internal seams that should disappear, piecing and joining where flat seams matter, and any sewing where the thread shouldn't compete with your fabric.

40 wt. thread (like QuiltMaker) is slightly heavier and creates visible, dimensional stitches. Use it for decorative topstitching that adds character, visible grid stitching on bags or home decor, heavy-duty seams that need extra strength, and any sewing where you want the stitches to stand out.

Pro tip: Use Perfection 50 wt. in the bobbin with QuiltMaker 40 wt. on top for a balanced stitch with contrasting personality.

Browse Perfection Thread

The right needle makes all the difference, especially when sewing through heavy fabrics. Here's the pairing guide:

For 50 wt. thread (Dream Seam, Perfection): Use a Topstitch #80/12 needle.

For 40 wt. thread (QuiltMaker): Use a Topstitch #90/14 needle.

Why Topstitch needles? Three features set them apart: First, the larger eye gives thread room to move without friction, reducing breakage. Second, the deeper groove along the needle shaft protects the thread as it passes through heavy materials. Third, the rounded sharp point handles both woven and coated fabrics cleanly.

Bonus: Our titanium-coated topstitch needles last up to 8x longer than standard needles. When you're sewing through multiple layers of canvas, interfacing, or faux leather, that durability matters.

Browse Topstitch Needles

General sewing (bag making, crafting, home decor, pillow cases, accessories) requires thread that handles heavier materials while still producing clean, balanced stitches.

For construction seams: Perfection 50 wt. is your go-to. This lint-free multifilament polyester provides strength without bulk, and its matte finish blends beautifully with fabric. One sewist shared, "I use Perfection in all my piecing and bag making projects. It is sturdy and reliable."

For visible topstitching: QuiltMaker 40 wt. stands out and adds a design element. The slightly heavier weight creates visible stitches that add depth and texture to your finished project.

For natural fiber preference: Dream Seam 50 wt. offers the benefits of 100% Egyptian-grown extra-long staple cotton with low lint and beautifully flat seams.

Setup tips: Use a thread stand when sewing with large cones for smoother thread delivery. Reduce presser foot pressure slightly when sewing vinyl or coated fabrics. Clean your bobbin area regularly when switching between different materials.

Browse QuiltMaker Thread

Garment sewing on a serger (overlock machine) is different from sewing on a home machine. The thread setup is specifically designed for stretch, coverage, and durability.

In the loopers: Use Woolly Nylon, our trademarked textured nylon thread. Woolly Nylon is soft, stretchy, and provides excellent coverage on seam edges. It moves with stretch fabrics rather than restricting them, giving your garments a polished, professional finish.

In the needles: Use spun polyester thread. The smooth, strong construction handles the high-speed stitching of serger needles without breaking.

Why Woolly Nylon works so well: The textured construction creates a soft, cushioned edge that's comfortable against skin. It's perfect for stretchy pants and leggings, swim cover-ups and activewear, rolled hems on napkins and table linens, and finished edges on receiving blankets.

Sewists trust it: "Woolly Nylon has been my go-to thread for burp cloths and receiving blankets for 20+ years. I put it on my serger loopers and adjust to get a wide, close stitch. It finishes the edges beautifully."

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Prewound bobbins save time, eliminate the hassle of winding, and provide consistent results that are difficult to replicate at home.

Why prewound bobbins make a difference: They hold up to 70% more thread than self-wound bobbins. Factory-wound precision means even tension from start to finish. Fewer bobbin changes on large sewing projects.

YLI offers two prewound options for sewists: Precision 60 wt. Prewound Bobbins (lint-free polyester that pairs perfectly with Perfection or any top thread) and Dream Seam 50 wt. Prewound Bobbins (100% Egyptian-grown extra-long staple cotton that matches Dream Seam top thread perfectly).

When to use prewound bobbins: Large sewing projects, bag making, home decor, or any time you don't want to stop mid-seam to rewind. As sewists describe them: "Smooth, lint-free, surprisingly strong."

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