Waxed Thread Buying Guide

Information Topics

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

Closeout Item - Waxed thread coils are great for small jobs.Coils are about the same diameter as a U.S. half dollar coin.Size 277 is available in about 15 colors.Size 415 has only a few colors left.

Waxed Thread Bulk Packaging

Waxed Thread Bulk Packaging We have waxed thread in larger packages ranging from 200 to 1700 yards. They are more economical than the smaller putups.

The Thread Exchange, Inc.

Nylon Thread

Polyester Thread

Robison-Anton

Kevlar (tm) Thread

Cotton Thread

Monofilament Thread

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

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.

Shop All Needles - Find the right needle for your machine

Home Sewing Needles (flat side on shank)

130/705 - Home Sewing Needles - Same As HAX1, and 15X1

Accessories - To make sewing easier.

Accessories

We have a growing selection of notions and accessories that make sewing easier. They include thread cone holders, thread sock. elastic tubing, scissors and shears, tape measures, and tool kits and cutters.

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

Polyester Thread - Nine Sizes - Great for outdoor use.

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

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

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

Monofilament Thread - Also called invisible nylon thread.

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

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.

Cotton Thread - All Selections Mettler 60-Weight Cotton Thread Mettler 50-Weight Cotton Thread Mettler 40-Weight Cotton Thread Mettler 28-Weight Cotton Thread Aurifil Cotton Thread Closeout All Cotton Thread Specials Mettler Silk-Finish Cotton Thread Buying Guide

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

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.

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

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.

Waxed Thread - All Sizes Waxed Thread - 70-Yard Tubes - Polyester Waxed Thread - 24-Yard Coils - Size 277 (0.025" / 0.64 mm) - Nylon Waxed Thread - 12-Yard Coils - Size 415 (0.030" / 0.76 mm) - Nylon Waxed Embalmers Thread Waxed Thread Buying Guide

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Waxed Thread Guide