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    Learn about 30 and 40 Weight Embroidery Thread

    About 30 Weight (30-Wt) and 40 Weight (40-Wt Thread)

    Weight refers to a thread's thickness. In the world of embroidery and cotton thread, a lower thread weight number is thicker than a higher thread weight. This means that a 40 Weight thread is thinner than a 30 Weight thread. We sell 30 and 40 Weight embroidery thread. Most embroiderers use 40 weight thread, and digitizing programs assume this weight, but make it easy to change to another weight. 40 Weight thread is used for small, tight patterns like the Polo logo. 30 Weight thread is great for embroidering large areas like the numbers on a football jersey.

    It is important to note the difference between Tex size and Weight. A lower Tex size means a thinner thread. Tex and Weight (Wt) are two different standards.

    Embroidery Thread Size Comparison

    Thickness

    30 Weight - Thicker and heavier. It covers more surface area in less time.

    40 Weight - Thinner and lighter. It is better for finer, more detailed jobs.

    Needle Size

    30 Weight - Needle Size: 90/14 to 100/16

    40 Weight - Needle Size: 75/11 to 80/12

    Average Yards per King Spool

    30 Weight - 4,400 Yards per spool.

    40 Weight - 5,500 Yards per spool.

    Machine Tension

    30 Weight - Normally requires greater machine tension.

    40 Weight - Normally requires less machine tension.

    Denier

    30 Weight - 150 / 2 (150 denier x 2 plies)

    40 Weight - 120 / 2 (120 denier x 2 plies)

    The Thread Exchange, Inc.

    Thread Specials and Closeouts - Save up to 50%

    Thread Specials
    Thread Specials

    • Save big on closeouts while they last.

    • Save up to 50% on thread closeouts.

    • New specials added often.

    • Great for practicing sewing or building a color stash.

    Nylon Thread - Ten Sizes - Over 100 colors in some sizes.

    Nylon Thread
    Nylon Thread

    • Strong, durable, and easy to use.

    • Great for fabric, leather, canvas and vinyl.

    • Use up to size 69 in most home sewing machines.

    • Buy what you need - Single small spools, large spools and cases.

    Polyester Thread - Nine Sizes - Great for outdoor use.

    Polyester Thread
    Polyester Thread

    • Looks and feels like nylon thread with comparable strength, durability, and ease of use.

    • UV resistant - Great for fabric, leather, canvas and vinyl.

    • Use up to size 69 in most home sewing machines.

    • Buy what you need - Single small spools, large spools and cases.

    Kevlar (TM) Thread - Withstands temperatures up to 800F.

    Kevlar Thread
    Kevlar Thread

    • Does not melt.

    • About 2.5 times stronger than nylon and polyester.

    • Low stretch at 2%.

    • Buy what you need - Single spools, large and smaller - or cases.

    Robison-Anton - The full line of R/A 40-Weight embroidery thread.

    The Robison-Anton Store
    Robison-Anton Thread

    • Over 400 colors in polyester, and over 370 colors in rayon.

    • King spools and mini-kings.

    • Color cards.

    • Color conversion charts to match to other brands.

    Machine Needles - Over 2,000 Groz-Beckert and Schmetz selections.

    Needle Buying Guide
    Needles

    • Find the needles you need in one place.

    • Needle to Machine Reference.

    • Sequenced needle systems for harder to find needles.

    • Thread by needle size.

      • Home Sewing Needles (flat side on shank)

      Most Popular Needles

      135X16 and 135X17 - Interchangeable - Use 135X16 for leather, and 135X17 for cloth.

    Bobbins - Prewound - Save time with pre-loaded bobbins.

    Bobbins
    Prewound 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.

      • Other Bobbin Styles

    Monofilament Thread - Also called invisible nylon thread.

    Monofilament Thread
    Monofilament 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.

    Bag Closing Thread - FDA Compliant.

    Bag Closing Thread
    Bag Closing Thread

    • 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 as 8-Oz, 5-Lb, and 20-Lb cones.

    Sewing and Serger Thread - Spun polyester, poly-core, silk closeout and more.

    Sewing and Serger Thread
    Sewing and Serger Thread

    • Tex 27 Maxi-Lock - 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.

    Cotton Thread - The full line of Mettler Silk-Finish cotton and Aurifil closeouts.

    Mettler Cotton - All
    Cotton Thread

    • 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.

    Machine Embroidery Hoops - Snap hoops, sticky hoops, guides and parts.

    Machine Embroidery Hoops
    Machine Embroidery Hoops

    • Hoops for Baby Lock, Bernina, Brother, Husqvarna-Viking, Janome, Pfaff, and SWF.

    • The Snap Hoop Monster - For fabric hooping and alignment with non-adhesive stabilizers.

    • The Sticky Hoop - A flat metal frame - Ideal for use with pre-cut tearaway adhesive stabilizers.

    • Accessories include centering templates, placement kits, and hoop guides.

    Embroidery Backings and Stabilizers - Over 120 products available.

    Backings/Stabilizers
    Backings/Stabilizers

    • Embroidery stabilizers support fabric, preventing tunneling and puckering.

    • Cutaway, tearaway, fusible, water-soluble, specialty options, and more.

    • Most come in 10-yard rolls with color-coded rings for easy identification.

    • Brands include Exquisite, Dime, and more.

      • These kits let you sample our backings and stabilizers and save about 15%. Each kit has four popular rolls in 5-Yard packages. This group also includes a Patch Maker kit and a Quilting Stabilizer kit.

      Cutaway backings offer permanent support to embroidery designs, staying on the garment and being trimmed around the embroidery. They come in various options, including light to heavyweight, No Show, PolyPro, Stretchy Knit, and Jumbo Cuts.

      Tearaway backings provide temporary embroidery support, easily removed after stitching, leaving only the design. Used on towels, scarves, and woven fabrics, options include light, medium (firm and soft), and heavyweight backings; Tear N Wash, Jumbo Cuts, and Piece N Stitch.

      A fusible backing or stabilizer has an adhesive coating that bonds to fabric with heat, providing stability and support to prevent stretching or puckering. Commonly used for delicate or stretchy fabrics during embroidery, our options include Fuse N Stick for applique, Fuse N Tear for lightweight materials, Fuse So Soft for quilting, Fuse No Show for silk and satin, Peel N Stick for small items, Sew N Wash for open weave materials, and Patch Attach for making embroidered patches.

      Water soluble topping enhances embroidery on textured fabrics by preventing stitches from sinking, ensuring clear, crisp designs. It is ideal for high-pile, stretchy, and delicate fabrics, with options like Regular for everyday use, Heavy Duty, Sew N Wash, and Adhesive Sew N Wash.

      Flame Retardant is ideal for children's clothing, bedding, and other applications requiring non-flammability, while Poly Patch Twill is perfect for professional-quality embroidered emblems and patches. Sew N Heat suits non-moisture conductive fabrics like silk and wool, and Stable Stuff Poly forms a soft layer of poly fibers when immersed in water or washed.

      Embroidery Backing Accessories include the Embroiders Compass for selecting the right stabilizer, Embroidery Foam for adding 3D designs, Swatch kits with stabilizers for every fabric, Blue Mylar for sparkling designs, Spray Tent to prevent overspray, and StabilCut dispensers for storing stabilizers. These tools enhance your embroidery projects with ease and precision.

    Waxed Thread - For hand sewing. Most machines cannot handle waxed thread. Check owners manual.

    Waxed Thread
    Waxed Thread

    • 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.

    Fire Resistant Thread - Nomex, Kevlar, PTFE Fiberglass.

    Fire Resistant Thread
    Fire Restant Thread

    • Used by first responders, motor sports participants, and the military to protect from heat.

    • We have Nomex, Kevlar and PTFE coated fiberglass thread.

    • Spun Nomex and Kevlar protect to 700F (366C).

    • Filament (yellow) Kevlar protects to 800F (427C).

    • PTFE coated fiberglass protects to 1022F (550C).

    • Lighter weight thread is used for garments; heavier weights are used for gear.

    • Most threads come in small and large spools.