Silk Thread | Linen Thread | Metallic Thread 100% Silk and 100% Linen ThreadLinen and silk thread were the most widely used threads by the pre 19th century sempstress until cotton thread became the sewing thread of choice later in the 19th century. Silk thread was used for sewing silk garments and marking and embroidering linens whereas silk twist was used for sewing button holes. All the silk thread require waxing before hand sewing to prevent unraveling and may be used in sewing machines. The only exception is silk buttonhole twist which is intended for hand sewing and therefore does not need to be waxed before hand sewing and is not intended for sewing machines. Our linen thread is of beautifully spun yarn made from 100% European flax and are wetspun to resist shredding during sewing, add strength, and add consistency. We recommend that you always wax linen thread before hand sewing. To understand linen thread it is important to know the larger the first number the finer the linen thread. The second number indicates that all our linen threads are two or three ply. Before widespread use of sewing machines linen and silk 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 218 yd. (200 m.) spools $8.50 in white and black. this thread 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 silk thread you must be sure to wax it first otherwise it will unravel. Using smaller lengths may also help. Fine 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. |
White, and black 220 yd. spools of fine silk sewing thread
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Silk Button Hole Twist This is available in about 22 yd. (20 m.) card $6.50 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 18th century garments. This thread has the tightest twist and is specifically designed for hand sewing buttonholes so there is no need to wax buttonhole twist before using. Although silk buttonhole twist is made for buttonholes the thread is more coarse than that found on most original 18th century 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 $7.00 in many colors. It is believed that silk quilting weight thread is the closest today to 18th century buttonhole twist. But to hand sew with this silk thread you must wax it first otherwise it will unravel. Using smaller lengths will also help. This silk 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. |
Scarlet, white, off white, ivory, and black 22 yd. cards of silk button hole twist
Dark brown, brown, cinnamon brown, drab and natural 22 yd. cards of button hole twist
Navy blue, blue, green, gray, and madder red 22 yd. cards of button hole twist
Scarlet, claret and gray silk quilter's thread
Pale blue silk quilter's thread
Crimson, blue and drab silk quilter's thread
Light green and green silk quilter's thread
Pink and yellow silk quilter's thread
White and buff silk quilter's thread
Brown, black and navy blue silk quilter's thread
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Silk Thread | Linen Thread | Metallic Thread
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16/2: Linen thread is available in 100 yd. (91 m.) skeins $3.50 in white, off white, buff, unbleached and an assortment of colors. Before the 19th century linen thread was sold by the skein and similar 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 linen thread for sewing in fabric or for making thread buttons try tapestry needles. Add 16/2 Linen Thread in 100 yd. Skein to Cart 16/2: Spools of linen thread in white, buff and colors with approx. 755 yd. (690 m.) are available for $19.99 . We also have off white and unbleached 16/2 linen thread 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 linen thread for sewing in fabric or for making thread buttons try tapestry needles. Add 16/2 Linen Thread 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, cartwheel thread buttons and hand sewing medium to coarser linens and wools and comes in 25 gram (approx. 290 yd. 265 m.) spools for $10.00/spool. 35/2: Colored linen thread (illustrated at right) comes in 12 1/2 gram or approx. 145 yd. (133 m.) spools in golden bleached, cinnamon brown, scarlet, green, dark green, black, claret, light green, light brown, gray, blue and light blue. All colors are $7.50/spool. |
White, off white, and unbleached 100 yd. skeins of 16/2
Navy blue, cinnamon brown and scarlet 35/2
Claret, light green and green 35/2
Blue and light blue 35/2
Gray, light brown and buff colored 35/2
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40/2: Off white linen thread of this weight is good for most general sewing such as button holes, eyelets, top stitching, cartwheel thread buttons and hand sewing medium to coarser linens and wools and comes in 25 gram (approx. 290 yd. 265 m.) spools for $10.00/spool.
Add Off White Linen Thread 40/2 to Cart
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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 light orange 50/3
 Canary yellow, orange yellow,
light green and medium green 50/3  Orange and light brown 50/3
 Golden brown, ivory and gray 50/3
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60/2: Fine hand sewing linen thread is good for sewing most shirt or shift weight linen as well as finer handkerchief linens. It is available in 498 yd. or 455 m. spools for $11.00 a spool. For example in New Jersey in 1781 "a quantity of fine thread" was stolen. Add White, Off White and Unbleached Linen Thread 60/2 to Cart |
White, off white and unbleached 60/2
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White 100/2: Very fine linen thread comes in 290 yd. or 265 m. spools in white and is good for hand sewing handkerchief weight linen for caps, stocks and neck cloths. This is a good weight for knotting or tatting, and to use when learning bobbin lace. Bleached 100/2 is $11.00 a spool. |
Black 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 $3.00 each.
Add Linen Thread 100/3 to Cart
Silk Thread | Linen Thread | Metallic Thread
Silver Metallic Thread
Silver metallic thread is available in approximately 11 yd. spools wound onto a wood thread winder $6.00. Silver thread can be used to sew metallic lace onto a garment, make thread buttons, sew button holes, and for detailing garments. For example in The Proceedings of the Old Bailey, London a trial record printed in 1735 included "Council. What Dress were you in? Campbell. The same as now, except a lighter Bob Wig (an old Brown Coat with Silver Thread Buttons.)" |
