4 Simple Ways to Measure Thread Size

Congratulations! You will learn in this article 4 simple ways to measure thread size.

You’ve made the decision to start your first sewing project (or perhaps you’re just trying to sharpen your abilities). You enter your neighborhood craft shop and immediately make your way to the thread spools.

Your heart begins to drop as you browse the shelves, though. The thread is tagged with numerous cryptic, perplexing digits. 30 wt? V-46? 630d?

It’s possible that you’ll feel intimidated and overwhelmed by these seemingly unintelligible numbers and letters.

Units To Measure Thread Size

Weight (wt), Denier (den), and Tex are the three units that are most frequently used to categorize thread sizes. Nevertheless, these are not the only ones.

For more specialized units, you might want to refer to some of the thorough articles on Wikipedia (Thread (yarn), Units of Textile Measurement).

Weight

The length (in kilometers) of a length of thread that weighs one kilogram is the measure of a thread’s weight. It displays the amount of thread needed to manufacture one kilogram, in kilometers.

One kilogram of thread requires a length of 40 kilometers if the weight is 40. The thread is heavier the lower the number.

60 Threads Per Inch

Weight is less for thick, heavy threads (8, 10, etc). For light, thin threads, the number is greater (50, 60).

Strangely, while all American measurements are still in inches, feet, and yards, North America uses the thread weight figure that is derived from km/kg!

A lower number is paradoxically associated with heavier weight.

So it seems sense that the length needed to make 1 kg would be smaller the heavier the thread. The thread is thicker and stronger the lower the number. Usually.

Although not always. I’ll explain.

The diameter of the sewing thread also relies on the material it is composed of and the thread density.

In some cases, a thread designated with weight 30 is THINNER than a thread marked with weight 40, according to what I have observed.

Density

Density determines the thread’s thickness, which is dependent on both the material and the technique of manufacture.

It’s not always true that a thread with a lower weight number (i.e., greater weight) will be thicker or more durable.

Two very different threads are utilized in the aforementioned photographs; one is an all-purpose polyester weight 40 thread, and the other is a weight 27 Eloflex thread (a stretchable thread that can be used on a conventional sewing machine to make stretchy knits).

To choose the ideal thread size for your sewing tasks, read the information below.

4 Simple Ways to Measure Thread Size

The thickness of a thread is used to quantify its size, but different brands frequently use different measurement techniques. The following is a list of the four most used ways to measure thread.

1. Weight

The “wt” abbreviation for weight measurement refers to a fixed weight system.

The length of 1 gram of thread is used to calculate the “weight” of the thread, which is actually a length measurement.

The thread is lighter the higher the weight number. For instance, a thread with the designation 60 wt. weighs 1 gram for every 60 meters of the thread.

It only takes 40 meters of a 40 wt thread to weigh 1 gram, making it heavier.

Although it could be difficult to remember, remember that heavier thread has a smaller weight number.

2. Denier

A set length of 9000 meters of thread is measured in grams by denier. For instance, a thread is referred to as 150-denier thread, or simply 150d, if it weighs 150 kilos per 9000 meters.

Remember that this is the inverse of the weight measurement method: a higher denier number indicates a heavier thread.

3. Tex

The most used method for measuring thread is Tex. Weight is calculated using a set length of thread that is 1000 meters long.

For instance, 1000 meters of thread weighing 20 grams is referred to as tex 20.

Tex is comparable to denier but will have less people. Similar to denier, higher numbers indicate heavier threads.

4. Commercial Sizes

They are used for sewing heavy-duty materials like webbing or upholstery.

Set sizes range from 30 to 46 to 69 to 92 to 138 to 207 to 277 to 346 to 415 to 554. By dividing the thread’s denier by 10, these dimensions are obtained.

Thread Tips and Techniques

How do you know which size to choose now that you understand thread measurement?

The following advice will assist you in choosing the best size for your sewing projects:

•  In general, the size and weight of the thread should match that of the fabric. Use heavier thread on thicker, heavier textiles.
• Stitches are more obvious when made with heavier thread.
•  The heaviest size advised for sewing machines is V-69. Stronger threads are heavier.
• The needle’s eye should be 40% bigger than the thread’s diameter.

Conclusion

Thread comes in different sizes, but with a good knowledge of how to measure the thread size, you won’t have problem when it comes to measuring of thread and the actual size.

I suppose these 4 simple ways to measure thread size will make your work much easier and productive.

Feel free to make your comment or any question and we will be ready to respond.