Most of our nylon and polyester threads are twisted multi-filament threads. They are made from continuous filaments that are twisted together into a cohesive bundle and plied to make them into thread as shown on the top.
Monocord thread is made by bonding, hair-thin continuous nylon or polyester filaments together. They have very little twist and look like a flat, ribbon-like single cord as shown on the bottom.
Monocord and multi-filament thread work equally well most of the time. Monocord is 10% to 14% stronger, tends to run smoother and requires fewer needle changes. But, retensioning is usually required when switching between monocord and multi-filament thread. There are situations where monocord is a better choice:
Double needle machines - You need to use left twist and right twist thread regular thread. With monocord you can use the same thread in both needles because it has little twist.
Low profile stitching - Monocord works better when you want to bury the stitches into fabric or leather to reduce friction as shown on the right.
Bi-directional stitching - Monocord runs smoother making switching directions easier.
Some of our monocord threads have these features:
Non Wicking - The thread is treated to retard water absorption. This is helpful when you are sewing things that are left outdoors. But, it only helps if the fabric is water repellant.
UV Rated - The thread is coated to minimize the effect of sunlight.
