Drop Ship and Special Order Information
A&E (American & Efird)
A&E normally ships within 1 to 5 business days.
A&E backorders may take up to 5 weeks for less common colors.
A&E normally has annual plant shut downs the week between Christmas and New Year's, and also the week of July 4th. This means many orders may take over a week before they ship around those dates. We try to offset this by shipping from stock when possible, but cannot guarantee availability.
A&E may ship partial cases from multiple locations.
A&E and The Thread Exchange require sales tax exemption certificates for those who qualify from the following states: California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia, Wisconsin. Please note that more states may be added as reuqired by law.
A&E ships based on net weight. This means the amount of thread wound on their spools, and the number of spools per case may vary.
A&E Consumer Certificates of Compliance (COCs) are usually available upon request after purchase, but sometimes there can be delays getting them. There may be times where we will need to get the lot number from you. Consumer COCs are not Military Specification (Mil Spec), even though in many cases their properties can be almost identical.
A&E emails us tracking information the day after your order ships. To request tracking information, please Contact Us
Aurifil
Aurifil items on backorder will be facing lenghty lead times between 12/17/2020 and 01/21/2121 as they are currently moving their operations to a new location in Chicago. Also, their thread is made in Italy, and production may be affected by COVID-19 issues.
Fil-Tec
Fil-Tec will only drop ship cases to commercial addresses, and a company name is also required.
Fil-Tec's cases are very consistent, and a 32 Lb. case normally has 32 one pound spools.
Fil-Tec's entire line is certified to current military specifications (Mil Spec), but not Berry Amendment compliant unless specified. Certificates are available upon request after purchase.There may be times where we will need to get the lot number from you to ensure we provide the correct Certificates (Certs). Contact Us
Groz-Beckert
Groz-Beckert normally ships within 7 to 10 business days, but longer backorders do occur more often with less common needles.
Groz-Beckert orders that also have stock items included are usually held at our facility until all items are ready to ship. For more common needles, it's usually just a day or two. For items that exceed the 10 business day lead time, we will ship the Groz-Beckert needles separately.
Groz-Beckert will sometimes discontinue less common needles without notice. Unfortunately, this is beyond our control. In the rare instances where this occurs, we will credit back the price of the product and any shipping.
Robison-Anton and Llovet Backings
Robison-Anton - Usually ships in 3 to 5 business days. Backorders usually do not extend beyond 3 weeks in most cases.
Robison-Anton - Tracking numbers are available but we do not automatically receive them. This means we might need a few hours to obtain them.
Llovet Backing - Usually ships within 2 business days.
Llovet Backing - Tracking numbers available on request, and are usually available the day after orders ship.
Service Thread
Service Thread nylon and polyester are manufactured in black and white only. Bag closing thread is usually only available in white.
Service Thread items normally ship within 1 to 2 business days. We are able to check their stock on specific items. For time sensitive items, please Contact Us.
Service Thread ships by net weight. This means the amount of thread per spool, and the number of spools per case may vary.
Service Thread has specification reports available upon request after you purchase.
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