How To Read Coats and Clark Thread Label – Easiest Guide

Threads are one of the crucial parts of the whole sewing process. To make a project successful threads are the base of it. You must get the needle and thread right. However, when it is time to choose the right thread it gets so confusing. There are various brands, different names, their hypes, various types, and much more. But there are names that you can blindly trust, and Coats and Clark is one of them.  It gets easy with them to choose the right thread for your sewing project whether you want to make a dress for you or any household décor.

There’s more thing to consider while buying a thread, and that is its features. To get sure about it and see whether your project matches it you must read the label it. Not all brands have the same thread label. Now you might be wondering, how to read Coats and Clark thread label? Well, there are some fundamentals to identify and we’ll discuss them forward.

Key Takeaways

• Generally, a thread label will have information about the thread consisting including its name and type.
• Coats and Clark is a trusted name in the industry and you can be sure of the quality they provide
• Their thread label is standard yet it offers more details about their thread and the material

What is Coats and Clark?

Coats and Clark is a company that produces and distributes sewing and crafting supplies, particularly threads of various types, as well as zippers, buttons, and other notions. The company was founded in 1812 and has since become a leading supplier in the industry. Coats and Clark products are widely available in stores and online, and are used by both professionals and hobbyists for a wide range of sewing and crafting projects.

What is Thread Label?

In the textile industry, a thread label is a small tag or label attached to a spool or cone of thread that contains important information about the thread. This information may include the brand and type of thread, the thread weight, composition, length, recommended needle size, color code, and UPC code. Thread labels help users identify the right thread for their sewing or crafting project, and they make it easier to organize and categorize online discussions related to sewing and crafting.

How to Read Coats and Clark Thread Label?

If you’re an avid sewer or someone who has just started exploring the world of sewing, you may have come across the Coats and Clark thread label. The thread label contains a lot of important information that can help you make the right choice when it comes to buying the right thread for your sewing project.

Understanding the Coats and Clark Thread Label

As a leading manufacturer of sewing threads and zippers, Coats & Clark produces threads that can be used for a wide range of sewing projects, from basic stitching to embroidery and quilting. You can use the Coats and Clark thread labels to identify the right thread for your project. This is a great deal of information for a small label! You have all the major information on this page, which will help you figure out if you’re getting what you want, need, and hope for.

Thread Brand and Type

The first thing you’ll notice on a Coats and Clark thread label is the brand name and type of thread. For instance, you might see “Coats & Clark Dual Duty XP General Purpose Thread” on the label. This tells you that the thread is a general-purpose thread and can be used for most sewing projects.

Thread Weight

An important consideration for any sewing project is thread weight. Thread weight is denoted by a number on the thread label, which can range from 8 to 100. The weight or size of the thread is a key factor to consider. You will find that sewing, quilting, or embroidery projects are more enjoyable if you adjust thread weights correctly.

A smaller weight number indicates a heavier thread. Thread weight is actually a length measurement. Thread weight is determined by multiplying the length of the thread by the set weight. If 40 kilometers of thread weigh one kilogram, the thread is called 40 wt.

Thread Composition

The next piece of information you’ll find on a Coats and Clark thread label is the composition of the thread. This refers to the material used to make the thread. For instance, you might see “100% polyester” on the label. This tells you that the thread is made of 100% polyester. You’ll also find the purpose of the use. In some cases, you’ll see it’s written, “for all purposes” which means you can use it for multiple projects.

Thread Length

The length of the thread is also indicated on the label. This tells you how much thread you’ll get in a spool or cone. For instance, you might see “250 yards” on the label. This tells you that you’ll get 250 yards (229m) of thread in the spool or cone.

Needle Size

The needle size and machine are also indicated on the label. This tells you the size of the needle that’s best suited for the thread. For instance, you might see “use needle size 12 or 14” on the label. This tells you that you should use a needle size 12 or 14 with the thread. For, Coats & Clark Dual Duty XP General Purpose Thread 250yds, Machine Needle: 11 or 14, and Hand Needle: 7 or 8.

What Information General Thread Labels Provide?

You can find out all about the thread quality and reliability by checking the thread label. However, there is much more information related to the thread which helps you to identify the actual quality of the thread for the project you’ll work on.

Thickness

The thread thickness is usually written as a number followed by a # sign. The thread thickness may also be referred to as the weight and can be written with two numbers and wt. There are many different measurements for thread thickness, but we will stick with the # and weight system here. There is a ratio between thread thickness and weight for quilting and embroidery. When it is smaller, it is thicker, while when it is larger, it is thinner. In comparison to #60/60 wt., #30/30 wt. is much thicker.

Ply

A thread’s strength depends on the number of plies it has. Most threads used for quilting, embroidery, and sewing have two or three plies.

Mercerized

In today’s world, nearly all cotton thread is mercerized. A label that says “mercerized cotton” may indicate the label has nothing else to boast about. Since nearly all modern cotton sewing thread is mercerized, we do not print it on our labels. Mercerizing involves treating cotton thread with a solution, causing the fibers to swell, thus allowing dyes to penetrate fibers better and giving them a more attractive appearance.

Glazed

There are many different types of glazed thread. Glazed threads are coated with wax, starch, resin, or other chemicals. Quite stiffer than unglazed thread, glazed thread has a wire-like look and feel, and is very hard to work with. A glazed cotton thread should only be used for hand quilting.

It is important that you do not let the wax coating of the thread run through your sewing machine’s tension discs. Glazed threads are often not labeled as such. It is possible to determine whether or not a cotton thread is glazed by unwinding a section of two to three feet from the spool and if it twists like a telephone cord, then it is glazed.

Fire Retardant

It’s even used in children’s beds and mattresses due to its ability to withstand extreme heat. The thread is perfect for firefighting gear and race car suits.

Bonded

Threads with multiple filaments, such as core-spun polyester and smooth multifilament threads, are usually bonded with a special resin to create a tough, but smooth, protective casing.

Gassed

As part of the process of processing high-quality cotton threads, the thread is passed over a flame at a high speed. Gassed cotton is defined as a thread that burns excess fuzz to produce a high sheen. This is not the case for all threads. If the thread is excessively fuzzy or hairy, it is not gassed. Other terms for gassed cotton include polished cotton and silk finish cotton.

Staple length

In cotton bolls, staple refers to the length of the fiber in a cotton bowl. The longer the staple, the stronger the thread. Unless stated otherwise, assume it is a regular (or short) staple thread. Long staples are better than short/regular staples and extra-long staples are the best. If a cotton thread has an extra-long staple, it will be clearly labeled on its label.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

Labels are parts of garments that provide information about the garment. A garment cannot be sold without a label, especially in export-oriented clothing. The essential data includes garment size, fiber type, care information, country of origin, company name, and trademark. Likewise, if you know how to read Coats and Clark thread labels, you’ll be able to pick the right thread for every sewing project with confidence. You will achieve better results and enjoy your sewing experience more if you decode the information on the label, whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned seamstress.