Waxed Thread Guide
Waxed Thread Buying Guide
Information Topics
About Waxed Thread
Waxing makes regular thread stiffer, more water and mildew resistant, and less stretchy. This Waxed Thread Thread Buying Guide helps customers get the right thread for their needs. Our approach is to discuss waxed thread uses, sizes, package sizes, and color. Specialty threads like embalmers thread, polyester linen, hand sewing waxed cord, and beeswax are also described. Waxed Thread Uses Waxed Thread Uses Waxed Thread
Waxed Thread Uses
Waxed thread is typically used for hand sewing, wrapping and braiding. Here is a list of some of the things you can do with waxed thread:
Bagpipe Reeds
Basket Weaving
Beading
Bookbinding
Boots
Bracelets
Braided rugs
Braiding Horse Tails and Manes
Braiding Lashes and Bullwhips
Convertible Tops
Couching Embroidery
Dollhouse Furniture
Dream Catchers
Earrings
Flute Tenons
Friendship Bracelets
Furniture Upholstery
Furniture Wrapping
Gourd Crafting
Hand sewing Belts
Handmade Greeting Cards
Horse Hair Jewelry
Kayak Straps
Knife Sheaths
Kumhimo (Japanese Braiding)
Leather Stitching
Leis
Moccasins
Model Ships
Necklaces
Outdoor Trellises
Party Favors
Pipe Organ Cables
Pouches
Rope Whipping
Rosaries
Saddles and Tack
Scabbards
Steering Wheel Covers
Stick Art
Suspending Objects
Sweetgrass Baskets
Taxidermy
Tents
Umbrellas
Watch Straps
Weaving
Wicker Furniture
Wreaths
Waxed Thread Size Overview
In most cases, customers buy waxed thread because they want the stitches to stand out or become a focal point. Using a heavier thread size achieves this goal, because stitch visibility increases with thread size. But, there are trade offs:
The material being sewn costs far more than the thread. If the thread is too thick, the material will tear while the stitches remain in tact. Heavier sizes require larger needles that make larger holes in fabric or leather. Also, pushing the needle through the material is harder. Both good stitches and bad stitches stand out. The margin for error increases as thread size increases.
Waxed Thread Size Conventions
The commercial sizes listed are approximate. They are based on the thicknesses of our other commercial threads. Over the last decade or so, millimeters (mm) have become the most popular way of sizing. The 70 yard waxed thread tubes are labeled in inches (In.).
Waxed Thread Size Guide
Waxed Thread - Tex 165
Diameter (mm): 0.45 - Diameter (In.): 0.018 (18/1000") - Strength: 11 Lbs. (4.54 kg) - Hand Sewing Needle: Size 4 - Description: About 1/3 the thickness of a U.S. Dime.
Waxed Thread - Size 207
Diameter (mm): 0.51 - Diameter (In.): 0.020 (20/1000") - Strength: 14 Lbs. (6.35 kg) - Hand Sewing Needle: Size 3 - Description: About 1/2 the thickness of a U.S. Dime
Waxed Thread - Size 277
Diameter (mm): 0.64 - Diameter (In.): 0.025 (25/1000") - Strength: 20 Lbs. (9.07 kg) - Hand Sewing Needle: Sizes 2 to 3 - Description: About 2/3 the thickness of a U.S. Dime
Waxed Thread - Size 415
Diameter (mm): 0.76 - Diameter (In.): 0.030 (30/1000") - Strength:30 Lbs. (13.61 kg) - Hand Sewing Needle: Size 2 - Description: About as thick as a U.S. Dime
Waxed Thread - Size 450
Diameter (mm): 0.89 - Diameter (In.): 0.035 (35/1000") - Strength: 43 Lbs. (19.50 kg) - Hand Sewing Needle: Size 1 - Description: About 3/4 the thickness of a U.S. Penny
Waxed Thread - Size 475
Diameter (mm): 1.02 - Diameter (In.): 0.040 (40/1000") - Strength: 49 Lbs. (22.23 kg) - Hand Sewing Needle: Size 0 - Description: About as thick as a U.S. Penny
Waxed Thread - Size 500
Diameter (mm): 1.14 - Diameter (In.): 0.045 (45/1000") - Strength: 64 Lbs. (29.03 kg) - Hand Sewing Needle: Size 00 - Description: About as thick as a U.S. Quarter
Waxed Thread - Size 554
Diameter (mm): 1.27 - Diameter (In.): 0.050 (50/1000") - Strength: 78 Lbs. (35.40 kg) - Hand Sewing Needle: Size 000 - Description: About as thick as a U.S. Nickel
Waxed Thread Color
Waxing makes a thread look darker. Over time, the wax wears off and the stitching will look lighter. Consider using a shade that is darker than the final shade.
Waxed Thread Packaging
70 Yard Tubes from Maine Thread
70 Yard waxed thread tubes are manufactured by Maine Thread, and available in 36 Colors. Every thread size has 70 Yards (210 Feet, 64 m) per tube, and thread sizes are labeled in thousandths of inches (decimal format). The cardboard tube itself is 2 1/2" tall, and has an outside diameter of 1 3/4".
Waxed Thread Coils
Welcome to The Thread Exchange
Your source for sewing thread and needles since 2005. We offer a huge selection, fast shipping, personalized phone and email help, and thread in both small and large spool sizes. We are also a living-wage employer.
Thread Specials and Closeouts - Up to 50% Off
- Save big on closeouts while they last.
- Save up to 50% on thread closeouts.
- New specials are added often.
- Great for sewing practice or building a color stash.
Nylon Thread - Ten Sizes - Over 100 colors in some sizes.
- Nylon thread is strong, smooth-sewing, durable and easy to use.
- Nylon is a great thread for leather, canvas and vinyl.
- Use up to size 69 nylon in most home sewing machines.
- Buy what you need - We have nylon thread on single small spools, large spools and cases.
Polyester Thread - Nine Sizes - Great for outdoor use.
- Polyester looks and feels like nylon thread with comparable strength, durability, and ease of use.
- Polyester thread is UV resistant. It is great for outdoor use with fabric, leather, canvas and vinyl.
- Use up to size 69 polyester thread in most home sewing machines.
- Buy what you need - We have Polyester thread on single small spools, large spools and cases.
Kevlar (TM) Thread - Kevlar thread is strong and withstands temperatures up to 800F.
- Kevlar thread does not melt. It turns to ash.
- Size-for-size, Kevlar thread is on average 2.5 times stronger than nylon and polyester.
- Kevlar thread has a low stretch at around 2% over time.
- Buy what you need - We have Kevlar thread on single small spools and large spools.
The Robison-Anton Store
All Embroidery Products
Embroidery Information
Robison-Anton Conversion Charts
Thread to Needle Size Chart
Robison-Anton - The full line of 40-Wt Robison-Anton machine embroidery thread
Embroidery Thread - Backings - Hoops - Thread closeouts, backings and hoops for major makes and models.
- The full line of Robison-Anton thread in Super Brite Polyester, Super Strength Rayon, J Metallic, Moonglow, Super Strength Variegated, Twister Tweed and Color Cards.
- We also have great values on name-brand closeout king spools for under $6.00, and Grab-Bags by the Pound.
- Embroidery Backings and Stabilizers - Over 120 products available. Machine Embroidery Hoops - Snap hoops, sticky hoops, guides and parts.
All Needles
Needles Information
Thread To Needle Size Chart
Machine To Needle Reference
Groz-Beckert Publications
Machine Needles - Over 2,000 Groz-Beckert and Schmetz selections.
- Find the needles you need in one place.
- Machine To Needle Reference.
- Sequenced needle systems for harder to find needles.
- Thread to needle size chart.
- New - Needles for shoe patcher machines.
Prewound Bobbins
Prewound Bobbin Buying Guide
Bobbin Style to Machine Reference
Prewound Bobbin Style Guide
Prewound Bobbins - Save time with pre-loaded bobbins.
- Full-gross (144), half-gross (72), and packs of 12 for smaller jobs.
- Styles A (Class 15), G, L, M, and U - Other styles on closeout.
- Wide selection of half-price bobbins.
- Find the right bobbin for your machine.
Monofilament Thread - Also called invisible nylon thread.
- Similar texture to fishing line, but thinner.
- Comes in 9 sizes from ultra-thin size .004 to sturdy-size .012.
- Small spools in sizes .005 to .012.
- 1.5 Lb. canisters in all sizes - Case quantities available.
Cotton Thread - The full line of Mettler Silk-Finish Cotton and Aurifil closeouts.
- Mettler cotton from thinnest to thickest in 60, 50, 40, and 28-weights.
- Aurifil cotton closeouts at 35% off.
- Mettler and Aurifil are made from 100% long staple Egyptian cotton fibers.
- The lower the thread weight number, the thicker the thread.
Sewing and Serger Thread - Spun polyester, poly-core, silk closeout and more.
- Maxi-Lock - Tex 27 - Over 90 solid and variegated colors on 3000-Yd spools.
- Excell - Same as Maxi-Lock on 6000-Yd spools - Around 12 colors.
- Maxi-Lock Stretch - High elasticity thread in over 35 colors.
- Closeouts in spun polyester, poly-core silk, and more.
Crafts Threads: Waxed Thread - Imitation Sinew - For hand sewing. Most machines cannot handle waxed thread or sinew. Check owners manual.
- Waxing makes thread stiffer, stronger, and more water repellent.
- Great for leather, canvas, vinyl, and heavy fabrics.
- 70-Yd tubes from Maine Thread in 6 sizes - Over 36 colors.
- Closeout - Nylon coils, and waxed polyester-linen tubes.
Bag Closing Thread - FDA Compliant.
- Use to seal paper, polypropylene, cotton and jute bags.
- Also a strong, inexpensive, and knot free thread.
- Comes in 4-ply and 5-ply thicknesses.
- Available in 8-Oz, 5-Lb, and 20-Lb cones.
Sewing Accessories - Notions and accessories that make sewing easier.
- Thread cone holders let you use economical king spools with sewing machines that only accept mini spools.
- Thread sock stops puddling by gently holding the thread in place while it is on the spool.
- Scissors, shears, snips and cutters made by Kretzer, Consew Smooth Cut, Fiskar and Slice.
- Velcro (TM) and other hook-and loop, measuring tools and tool kits