100% Silk and 100% Linen ThreadSilk thread was the second most often used prior to the 19th century. Silk twist was used for sewing button holes and other weights of silk thread was used for sewing silk garments and marking and embroidering linens. Linen thread was most widely used by the pre 19th century sempstress until cotton became the thread of choice later in the 19th century. These beautifully spun yarns are made from 100% European flax and are wetspun to resist shredding during sewing, add strength, and add consistency. We recommend that you always wax the thread before hand sewing. The larger the first number the finer the thread. The second number indicates that all our threads are two or three ply. Before widespread use of sewing machines linen thread was bought by the skein and wound onto thread winders. Embroidery scissors and many other items on our Needlework Tools page will complete your authentic hand sewing kit. |
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Fine Silk Sewing Thread This is available in about 220 yd. (200 m.) spools $5.30 in white, and black. This is our finest silk sewing thread and will make an almost invisible seam because either color seems to disappear into the fabric. But to hand sew with this thread you must be sure to wax it first otherwise it will unravel. Using smaller lengths may also help. This silk thread will slide effortlessly through the machine as well. The twist is designed to prevent slipping and skipping of stitches forming a strong seam. Add Fine Silk Sewing Thread to Cart
Medium Weight Silk Sewing Thread Spools of 30 weight silk thread with approx. 55 yd. (50 m.) are available for $5.30 in many colors. This thread is a good weight for making death head buttons as well as other passementerie buttons. But to hand sew with this thread you must be sure to wax it first otherwise it will unravel. Using smaller lengths will also help. This silk thread is also made for machine sewing and will slide effortlessly through the machine. The twist is designed to prevent slipping and skipping of stitches forming a strong seam with a machine. |
White, and black 220 yd. spools of fine silk sewing thread
Navy blue, medium blue, blue and light blue medium weight silk thread
Beigh, ivory and white medium weight silk thread
Green, brown and scarlet red medium weight silk thread
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Silk Button Hole Twist This is available in about 22 yd. (20 m.) card $4.50 in many colors. Although the modern term for this is button hole twist many feel that quilter's thread is closer to the weight mostly seen on extant garments. This thread is our tightest twist and is specifically designed for hand sewing buttonholes so there is no need to wax it before using. Although this is made for buttonholes the thread is more coarse than that found on most original garments. Add Silk Button Hole Twist to Cart
Silk Quilter's Thread Spools of 9 weight silk thread with approx. 22 yd. (20 m.) are available for $4.50 in many colors. It is believed that quilting weight thread is the closest today to 18th century buttonhole twist. But to hand sew with this thread you must be sure to wax it first otherwise it will unravel. Using smaller lengths will also help. This thread will also work for making death head buttons or other passementerie buttons. Since this thread is specifically made for machine sewing the "z" twist will prevent slipping and skipping of stitches forming a strong seam with a machine. Add Colored Silk Quilter's Thread to Cart Add Brown, Navy Blue, and White Silk Quilter's Thread to Cart |
White, black, ivory and scarlet 22 yd. cards of button hole thread
Madder red, blue, green, gray and brown 22 yd. cards of button hole thread
Scarlet, claret and gray medium weight silk quilter's thread
Blue, medium blue and green medium weight silk quilter's thread
Orange, Light blue and violet medium weight silk quilter's thread
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16/2: Linen thread is available in 100 yd. (91 m.) skeins $3.50 in white, off white, and unbleached. Before the 19th century linen thread was sold by the skein and identical skeins are illustrated in Denis Diderot's Encyclopedia. Because of this these skeins may be used as they are for museum displays or wound onto a thread winder. Linen thread of this weight is great for sewing coarse linens, top stitching, thread (Dorset) shirt buttons, and making lucet cord. Crewl needles work well with this thread for sewing in fabric or for making thread buttons try tapestry needles. Add Linen Thread 16/2 in 100 yd. Skein to Cart 16/2: Spools of linen thread in white with approx. 711 yd. (650 m.) are available for $15.00. We also have off white and unbleached in approx. 1345 yd. (1230 m.) spools for $30.00. Linen thread of this weight is great for sewing coarse linens, top stitching, thread (Dorset) shirt buttons, hand weaving linen tapes, and making lucet cord. Crewl needles work well with this thread for sewing in fabric or for making thread buttons try tapestry needles. Add Linen Thread 16/2 in Spools to Cart 35/2: White, off white and unbleached linen thread of this weight is good for most general sewing such as button holes, eyelets, top stitching and hand sewing medium to coarser linens and wools and comes in 25 gram (approx. 290 yd. 265 m.) spools for $8.00/spool. 35/2: Colored linen thread (illustrated at right) comes in 12 1/2 gram or approx. 145 yd. (133 m.) spools in navy blue, cinnamon brown, scarlet, green, and dark green. All colors are $8.00/spool. |
White, off white, and unbleached 100 yd. skeins of 16/2
Navy blue, cinnamon brown, and scarlet 35/2
Green, and dark green 35/2
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50/3: Linen thread of this weight is just slightly coarser than the 35/2 above and being three ply it is a bit stronger. Linen thread of this weight works well when sewing medium to coarser linens and wools. Hand sewing, button holes, eyelets, and top stitching all are suitable for this 100% linen thread and comes on 30 m. spools which is just over 32 yd. We will do our best to match the thread to a fabric swatch you send us or match the thread to our fabric. Each are $3.00/spool. 80/3: Linen thread of this weight is good for hand sewing most fine to medium weight linen and fine wools and comes in about 54 yd. (50 m.) spools. We will do our best to match the thread to a fabric swatch you send us or match the thread to our fabric. Currently 80/3 is available in the same diverse range of colors as 50/3. Each are $3.00/spool. |
Green, claret red, brown, and madder red 50/3
 White, beige, medium blue, and royal blue 50/3
 Scarlet red and pale blue 50/3
 Pink, dark pink and orange 50/3
 Canary yellow, orange yellow,
light green and medium green 50/3  Light brown, ivory, gray and black 50/3
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60/2: Fine hand sewing linen thread is good for sewing most shirt or shift weight linen. It is available in 498 yd. or 455 m. spools. We carry three shades; unbleached, off white, and white. All are $10.00 a spool. For example in New Jersey in 1781 "a quantity of fine thread" was stolen. |
White, off white, and unbleached 60/2
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60/2: Black fine hand sewing linen thread is good for sewing most fine to medium weight linen and fine wools. It is available in about 250 yd. or almost 230 m. spools for $10.00 a spool. |
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90/2: Very fine linen thread comes in 372 yd. or 340 m. spools in white and is good for hand sewing handkerchief weight linen for caps and neck cloths. This is a good weight for knotting or tatting, and to use when learning bobbin lace. Bleached 90/2 is $8.50 a spool. 100/3: Very fine linen thread comes in black and is good for hand sewing handkerchief weight linen and for making bobbin lace. A 54 yd. (about 50 m.) spool is $4.75 each. Add Linen Thread 100/3 to Cart 120/2: Linen thread of this weight is similar to some used in extant shifts and is good for extra fine sewing in very fine handkerchief linen and bobbin lace. It is available in 590 yd. or 540 m. spools in white for $10.00 a spool. |
White 90/2
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