Upholstery thread is heavy-duty thread used to bind sections of material together while upholstering a piece of furniture. The thread can be made from a wide range of natural and artificial fibers and is available in a wide range of weights. Much stronger than standard sewing thread, the choice of upholstery thread depends on the type of material being used for the upholstery project.
One common type of thread used in upholstering jobs is nylon thread. Often transparent, the thread tends to resemble fishing line and offers a great deal of strength. When the job calls for making the seams as discreet as possible in the design, this type of thick thread is often a great option, especially if the choice of fabric is canvas or a something similar. Olefin and other synthetic fibers also work very well with this type of thread.
Cotton thread is another form of upholstery thread that is used for many jobs. This natural fiber thread can lend a soft look to the stitching in the upholstery. It is important to only use cotton thread that is preshrunk, so the stitching will remain flat. Also keep in mind that cotton does not stretch and is more subject to breaking than other types of thread. One advantage is that this thread is very easy to color, making it easy to match the shade of the thread with the upholstery material.
Polyester thread is one type of upholstery thread that manages to provide a great deal of strength while also offering a smooth and soft look to the stitching. Unlike cotton thread, the polyester is less likely to break under stress, will not shrink when washed, and will not fade when exposed to direct sunlight. In addition to upholstery projects, polyester thread is sometimes used as jeans thread.
Silk thread is ideal for upholstering projects using material that is somewhat delicate. This thread does tend to stretch a little more, but is also very resilient. The high sheen makes the thread desirable when the stitching is considered an integral part of the overall design for the upholstered piece.
When choosing the right upholstery tools for a project, making sure to use the right type of thread will make a huge difference in how the job looks once completed. Most of these threads can be utilized with commercial upholstery jobs as well as hand crafted custom upholstery projects. Upholstery thread is usually available at home stores and fabric shops where upholstery fabric is sold.