I went to Joann Fabrics and asked what thread I should use with silnylon fabric. I told them it was for a tarp and used outdoor. They gave me upholstery thread, I just read I should use 100% polyester thread. Will my tarp fall apart using the upholstery thread?
When you said "tarp" they were thinking canvas. So no, that is not the right thread. Even if it is polyester or nylon, it will probably be too heavy for the silnylon and will make the 'fun' of sewing silnylon even more 'fun'.
I use Gutterman 100% polyester in a regular sewing weight (not heavy duty) on my silnylon projects.
It is most useful to take a sample of the fabric you have a question about to the store. Especially if it is something they don't carry.
-Liz -
Right. I don't know what is in "upholstery thread", but I am sure I would not use it on sil-nylon or ripstop of any kind. Take it back if you can.Originally Posted by E.A.Y.
I love the unimproved works of God. - Horace Kephart
too late. I'm done, except for the tie outs. will my tarp fall apart?
What is on the thread label? That information will allow others (who have more experience than I do) to advise you. I have seen upholstery thread which was 100% nylon. That is good. 100% polyester is good. Cotton wrapped polyester is not so good.
If you have assembled a tarp using a not-quite-right thread, it will bear watching. Perhaps some care to dry it quickly after a soaking will help. If eventually see seams fraying, you can simply re-stitch using the right thread. Just a thought.
I love the unimproved works of God. - Horace Kephart
The tarp will be fine. What I've learned from RablinRev, the sewing-expert at HF, is that you really want to use a thread that is less strong than your tarp material. So of something goes awry, the thread breaks, and not your tarp.
Realistically, you'll be fine. The upholstery thread I have is 100% nylon, which has it's own challenges when sewing, but is more than fine for your project.
John
"Do or do not, there is no try." -- Yoda
Upholstery thread is a heavy weight thread used in the making of furniture covers and other heavy fabric applications. In all likelihood it is not cotton although it should give the content on the label. Straight cotton thread is a rarity now days. Most cotton thread is a wrapped thread mix of polyester and cotton. Sometimes it is polyester wrapped around a cotton core and sometimes the reverse. In all likelihood it is polyester as even fine upholstery fabric is now primarily polyester.
Cotton rots in the weather but polyester degrades in the sunshine so the chance of failure exists with either choice. You will want to inspect the stitching on your tarp periodically no matter what so don't fret about it too much.
I may be slow... But I sure am gimpy.
"Bless you child, when you set out to thread a needle don't hold the thread still and fetch the needle up to it; hold the needle still and poke the thread at it; that's the way a woman most always does, but a man always does t'other way."
Mrs. Loftus to Huck Finn
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