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All About Polyester Threads
All about polyester threads
Envision is a product of extreme versatility, found in everything from water bottles to clothes, to carpets, curtains, sheets, wall coverings, upholstery and more. Polyester fibers are versatile and strong in many applications, and elastic and durable in sewing. The same material is used in hoses, power belts, ropes, threads, tire cords, floppy disks and even as filling for pillows. That’s why polyester is the go to for many.
Spun Polyester Sewing Thread
Spun polyester sewing thread is made by spinning 100% polyester staple fibers into yarns, then plying the yarns together to form thread. It’s often referred to as “PP” or “PP Spun”. Spun polyester thread is cheap and looks like cotton but is more elastic. It’s strong, lightweight and low lint. Spun polyester thread is an all purpose sewing thread for knit and woven fabrics on most home sewing machines, for clothing, upholstery, craft stitch etc. It’s compatible with all types of sewing needles to prevent fiber lint and seam crimping.
Spun Polyester Sewing Thread Size Chart
| Ne Count | Tex | Averange strength | Elongation at break | Recommended Needle Size | |
| (S) | (T) | (cN) | (%) | (Singer) | (Metric) |
| 12s/3 | 150 | 5010 | 8-13 | 19-21 | 120-140 |
| 12s/4 | 200 | 7080 | 8-13 | 21-24 | 160-180 |
| 20s/2 | 60 | 2124 | 10-16 | 15-18 | 90-110 |
| 20s/3 | 90 | 3540 | 11-16 | 17-20 | 100-120 |
| 20s/6 | 180 | 5832 | 8-13 | 21-24 | 160-180 |
| 20s/9 | 270 | 9045 | 7-12 | N/A | N/A |
| 30s/2 | 40 | 1379 | 10-15 | 11-14 | 75-90 |
| 30s/3 | 60 | 2245 | 11-16 | 15-18 | 90-110 |
| 40s/2 | 30 | 1050 | 10-15 | 10-12 | 70-80 |
| 40s/3 | 45 | 1642 | 10-15 | 11-14 | 75-90 |
| 50s/2 | 24 | 850 | 9-14 | 9-11 | 65-75 |
| 50s/3 | 36 | 1309 | 10-15 | 11-14 | 75-90 |
| 60s/2 | 20 | 666 | 9-14 | 8-10 | 60-70 |
| 60s/3 | 30 | 1030 | 10-15 | 11-14 | 75-90 |
Textured Polyester Threads
Textured Polyester Threads are designed for serger and overlock machines. Polyester texture thread is 100% polyester continuous filaments, used for rolled hems and for sewing on stretchy materials, such as spandex, lycra, or swimsuit material. Textured polyester threads provide better stitch coverage compared to spun polyester or filament polyester threads, thanks to its fluffiness and ability to recover once stretched.
Textured Polyester Thread Size Chart
| Denier (D) |
Tex (T) |
Ticket Size (TKT) |
Average Strength (cN) |
Elongation Mix-Max (%) |
| 150D/1 | 18 | 160 | 774 | 20-32 |
| 200D/1 | 21 | 110 | 934 | 20-32 |
| 300D/1 | 35 | 80 | 1410 | 20-32 |
Textured Polyester Thread Application Chart
| Denier (D) |
Tex (T) |
Ticket Size (TKT) |
Usage |
| 150D/1 | 18 | 160 | Normal fabric overlocking |
| 200D/1 | 21 | 110 | Middle thickness fabric overlocking |
| 300D/1 | 35 | 80 | Heavy thickness fabric overlocking |
Cotton Covered Polyester Threads
Cotton wrapped polyester thread is a thread with a polyester filament core wrapped in a cotton covering. The polyester core gives the thread strength, flexibility and abrasion resistance, the cotton covering gives the thread heat resistance, soft feel and authentic look. Cotton wrapped polyester thread is good for sewing jeans and denim garments but can also be used for handbags, towels and home furnishings.
Poly-Poly Core Spun Sewing Thread Size Chart
| Tex | Tickets Size | Yarn Count | Averange Strength | Elongation Min-Max | Recommended Needle Size | Shrinkage in Boiling Water | ||
| (T) | (TKT) | (S) | (cN) | (g) | (%) | Singer | Metric | (%) |
| 18 | 180 | 69/2 | 780 | 796 | 17-22 | 9-11 | 65-75 | <1.0 |
| 21 | 150 | 50/2 | 980 | 1000 | 17-22 | 9-11 | 65-75 | <1.0 |
| 24 | 120 | 45/2 | 1190 | 1214 | 17-22 | 10-14 | 70-90 | <1.0 |
| 30 | 100 | 35/2 | 1490 | 1520 | 17-22 | 11-14 | 75-90 | <1.0 |
| 40 | 80 | 29/2 | 1780 | 1816 | 18-24 | 11-14 | 75-90 | <1.0 |
| 40 | 80 | 45/3 | 1960 | 2000 | 18-24 | 11-14 | 75-90 | <1.0 |
| 60 | 50 | 18/2 | 3040 | 3102 | 18-25 | 16-19 | 100-120 | <1.0 |
| 60 | 50 | 29/3 | 3530 | 3602 | 18-25 | 16-19 | 100-120 | <1.0 |
| 80 | 40 | 15/2 | 3940 | 4020 | 18-25 | 16-19 | 100-120 | <1.0 |
| 105 | 30 | 12/2 | 4790 | 4888 | 18-25 | 18-21 | 110-130 | <1.0 |
| 120 | 25 | 15/3 | 6080 | 6204 | 18-25 | 19-21 | 120-140 | <1.0 |
Cotton-Poly Core Spun Sewing Thread Size Chart
| Tex | Yarn Count | Tickets Size | Average Strength | Elongation Min-Max | Recommended Needle Size | ||
| (T) | (S) | (TKT) | (CN) | (G) | (%) | Singer | Metric |
| 24 | 60S/2 | 120 | 1039 | 1059 | 17-23 | 10-14 | 70-90 |
| 40 | 28S/2 | 75 | 1862 | 1899 | 18-24 | 14-18 | 90-110 |
| 60 | 18S/2 | 50 | 2842 | 2898 | 17-23 | 16-19 | 100-120 |
| 60 | 29S/3 | 50 | 3038 | 3098 | 17-23 | 16-19 | 100-120 |
| 80 | 15S/2 | 36 | 3528 | 3598 | 18-24 | 18-21 | 110-130 |
| 105 | 12S/2 | 30 | 3724 | 3797 | 17-23 | 18-21 | 110-130 |
Heavy Duty Polyester Thread/High Tenacity Polyester Threads
Heavy duty polyester threads, also known as high tenacity polyester thread, are thick and coarse threads made of 100% polyester filaments. Heavy duty polyester threads are tear resistant, fade resistant, shrink resistant and iron resistant and can withstand high speed and high density sewing. Good for sewing heavy weight fabrics like denim, leather, canvas and upholstery materials.
| Dtex | Denier | PLY | T.P.M. Single S Final Z |
Yarn Strength | Tenacity | Elongation | ||
| (T) | (D) | --- | S/Z | (g/D) | (G) | (CV%) | (%) | (CV%) |
| 110 | 100D | 3 | 550/450 | 7±0.2 | 2100 | 4 | 15 | 5 |
| 150 | 135D | 3 | 520/420 | 7±0.2 | 2835 | 4 | 15 | 5 |
| 167 | 150D | 2 | 550/480 | 7±0.2 | 2100 | 4 | 16 | 5 |
| 167 | 150D | 3 | 520/420 | 7±0.2 | 3150 | 4 | 16 | 5 |
| 235 | 210D | 2 | 550/440 | 7±0.2 | 2940 | 4 | 16 | 5 |
| 235 | 210D | 3 | 580/393 | 7±0.2 | 4410 | 4 | 17 | 5 |
| 278 | 250D | 3 | 560/350 | 7±0.2 | 5250 | 4 | 18 | 5 |
| 466 | 420D | 3 | 380/280 | 7±0.2 | 8820 | 4 | 18 | 5 |
| 699 | 630D | 3 | 320/220 | 7±0.2 | 13230 | 4 | 19 | 5 |
Embroidery Polyester Thread
Polyester embroidery thread is made of polyester filament yarns which is a kind of hydrophobic fiber (moisture regain rate is 0.4% on average). So the quality is relatively stable and not affected by weather. The thread is dyed with disperse dyes at 125-135°C, giving high luster, durability and smooth running at high speed.
| Items | Thread Quality and Indicators | |||
| AA Class | A Class | B Class | ||
Embroidery speed for strands (monofilament 600 RPM) |
RPM (Revolutions Per Minute) | ≤1200 | ≤1000 | ≤800 |
| Average Breaking Strength(cN) | 120D/2 | ≥1180 | ≥1180 | ≥930 |
| 150D/2 | / | / | ≥1180 | |
| 300D/1 | / | / | ≥1180 | |
| 300D/2 | / | / | ≥2361 | |
| 600D/1 | / | / | ≥2361 | |
Choosing the Right Sewing Thread for Your Project
- Consider the fabric you are working with and choose a polyester thread that matches its weight and texture.
- Consider the type of stitching you will be doing and choose a polyester thread suitable for the technique, topstitching or embroidery.
- For heavy duty projects like upholstery or sewing sails choose a heavier weight polyester thread for extra strength and durability.
- For delicate projects like English paper piecing or fine fabrics choose a lighter weight polyester thread with matte finish for minimum visibility.
- When using a sewing machine choose a polyester thread for smooth running and minimal thread breaks.
- When using polyester threads in sewing and quilting, consider the seams as they are the stress points in a quilt. Contrary to myth, polyester thread won’t damage the fabric. Tearing is more likely to happen at the seams than where decorative stitching is applied.
