Nylon threads for sewing

2024 Author: Sierra Becker | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-02-26 03:46

Today, handmade products are becoming more and more relevant. Exquisite jewelry, original dresses, unique equipment, designer accessories are now more interesting to make, as the range of materials has expanded significantly. Manufacturers offer not only classic natural fabrics, but also more modern synthetic, as well as materials with a mixed composition. Nowadays, there is a need for synthetic consumables, such as threads. They retain color and structure much better than natural ones. In addition, they have increased strength, which is necessary when sewing products with a large load on materials, such as awnings, tents and other camping equipment. Today, nylon is the most popular synthetic material for making threads.

Material history

Nylon was invented at the beginning of the 20th century by the American company E. I. duPont de Nemours Inc. Adipamide polyhexamethylene or "polymer 6.6" (working title) was renamed nylon in a marketing campaign at a 1939 New York show. The name is made up of the first letters of the cities NewYork and London. This material is a product of oil refining, while its structure is close to the structure of silk fiber. This is what allowed the material in 1939 to gain popularity among the female population of America and Europe, and increased strength, water resistance and durability allowed nylon to become a strategic material during the Second World War.

Sewing threads

Initially, nylon threads were produced only for further fabrication. Depending on the weave and the thickness of the thread, many fabric options have been developed, ranging from stocking material to cordura. However, when sewing with cotton threads, the product lost not only its appearance, but also a large percentage of strength. It is for this reason that the decision was made to produce nylon sewing threads.

They are characterized by increased strength and durability. The thread is smooth, slightly shiny, consists of several thinner fibers twisted together. In addition, there are reinforced nylon threads, where the core is a thicker fiber, around which thin ones are wrapped. On sale there are threads with a mixed composition, for example, with cotton. This option allows you to use the thread not only for synthetic materials, but also for natural ones.

Dignity

Nylon threads have a lot of advantages:

• During operation and subsequent operation, they do not fade.
• Retains the original structure well.
• Nylon threads are ideal forsewing knitwear. The line does not tear when stretched, the fabric does not deform.
• Reinforced nylon thread withstands quite large loads, does not absorb moisture. Therefore, it is best suited for sewing outdoor gear and outerwear made from fabrics containing nylon.
• Does not shrink, does not shed, which allows you to maintain the appearance of the product after several washes.
• Nylon thread has a very high melting point. Therefore, it is not possible to damage the stitching with an iron while steaming the finished product.
• Single nylon thread (or monofilament) merges with the fabric, so it is indispensable for hemming the hem or trousers, as well as for sewing those parts where you need to hide the seam.

Flaws

Absolutely every product has flaws. This can be attributed to nylon threads as well. Their disadvantages are as follows:

• Sewing with these threads at home is difficult, as overlock or sewing machine needs to be reconfigured.
• When working on a household sewing machine, this thread is best used from below (for the bobbin) as it can delaminate and tangle when passing through the needle (if the setting is incorrect).
• Not suitable for sewing natural fabrics.

Despite all the advantages and disadvantages, this thread is quite in demand among needlewomen and industrial productions.

Nylon can be found not only in sewing threads, but also in other materials for needlework: for knitting, macrame, beading and others.

Yarn

Nylon threads for knitting could not take a leading position among other materials, because products made from such yarn are loose, do not hold their shape well, "breathe" badly, and can cause allergies. However, in combination with other materials, nylon can be found quite often. It is used to give strength, elasticity, shine, as well as fastening the villi, for example, in combination with mohair. Usually nylon is 15-20%, less often - 50% in the composition of the yarn.

On the presented photo there are nylon threads for knitting. They are used for decorating products, knitting toys or in combination with yarn made from natural materials. In Europe, Red Heart Scrubby Yarn is popular. From it knit napkins for washing dishes. There are two options for such products:

• From pure yarn. Products are hard, do not absorb water, suitable for washing heavily soiled surfaces.
• With the addition of cotton thread. In this case, the wipes are softer, cleansing is more gentle, and the mixed composition allows you to remove excess moisture.

Nylon yarn is very easy to care for, just follow these rules:

1. Do not wash in hot water. At high temperatures, the material stretches, so the water should not exceed 40°C.
2. Do not use chlorine when washing. It is better to use bleach with sodium percarbonate. To remove the yellow or gray tint, you can add starch to the powder.
3. When rinsing, it is better to add conditioner and antistatic agent.
4. Nylon yarn is very easy to dye, so when washing it is necessary to avoid getting items with unstable paint in the same tab with the product.
5. Dry at room temperature.
6. It is allowed to iron products at a temperature not exceeding 110 ° С.

Macrame

There are several types of nylon threads for macrame: fiber, thread and cord. It is the latter type that is most popular with needlewomen. An extensive palette of colors and shades will delight anyone. The slippery, elastic cord is slightly springy, holds the shape of even complex knots well, great for knitting flower pots and jewelry.

Necklaces made using macrame technique also look original. This decoration made of nylon threads will suit both an evening dress and jeans.

Friendship bracelets made from this cord are bright and durable. At the same time, knit them very quickly, and the nylon cord will allow you to diversify the classic paths with all kinds of arches and decorative knots.

Beading

Nylon thread for beading is also very popular among craftsmen. They are more flexible and elastic than fishing line. This makes the thread less noticeable in the finished product and comfortable to use. It is quite thin and durable, which allows you to thread it through the hole of the beads several times without tangling anddeformations. Especially this material is suitable for weaving products with fringe. The nylon thread under the weight of the beads is easily straightened, so this decoration element is uniform and neat. However, when working with matte beads and glass beads, it is better to abandon nylon, since the thread frays when it comes into contact with the rough surface of matte beads or with the sharp end of glass beads.

Monofilament

This solid nylon beading thread works well, but only in those products where the load on it is minimal. If the tension is too high, the thread will break. However, she has a small margin of stretching. This is what makes monofilament ideal for creating one-piece, form-fitting accessories such as bracelets or rings. In this case, it is important to choose the right size so that during wearing the thread is not constantly in a state of tension. In addition, the monofilament is better than the classic one for working with matte beads, but the fringe on it does not turn out even.

Embroidery

Nylon threads are good for beadwork. Their Features:

• Flexible enough. They are convenient to attach to canvas or fabric.
• Thin. This allows you to thread through the bead several times.
• Transparent or matched to the color of the beads. Therefore, they are almost invisible on the canvas.
• Able to stretch a little, and then take the original shape. This makes it possible to use them when embroidering even on knitted clothes.

Monofilament is also suitable forthis type of embroidery, especially in the case of using transparent beads. However, it is slightly more difficult to fasten, so it is inferior to ordinary nylon threads.

Nylon has not become a popular material in classic hand embroidery. The nylon thread is too thin, fits tightly, does not fill the space well. If you choose a thicker thread, then the embroidery looks rough. If nylon is used in embroidery, then only in machine embroidery. Usually nylon threads are put in the bobbin (at the bottom of the line).

Nylon is one of the oldest, but still popular materials, it can be found both in light industry and in medicine. Thanks to its many advantages, it has firmly established itself in the modern market. Even sewing nylon threads, despite some features, have become popular and in demand among needlewomen of varying degrees of skill.