Selecting the Right Needles &
Thread for Your Craft Project
By Crazy Crow Trading Post ~ July 20, 2011
Selecting the Right Needles &
Thread for Your Craft Project
By Crazy Crow Trading Post ~ July 20, 2011
Needles & Thread for Beading
Needle sizes are like bead sizes; the larger the number the smaller the size. A #10 needle can be used with 10/0 beads, a #11 with 11/0, and so on. The #12 Sharps and #15 Beading needles are the smallest sizes available so they are best for 14/0 to 16/0 beads. However, some beads may have holes that are too small even for these needles.
Thread and needle sizes also depend on the beadwork technique to be used. Gourd stitch and loomwork require the needle to pass through the beads twice, so use a thread size small enough to allow this. In lazy stitch, the needle goes through only once but the thread should fill up the holes in order to create the characteristic “humps” in the rows of beadwork.
Nymo thread is best for gourd stitch, earrings, lazy stitch, applique, and weft threads for loomwork. For warp threads on beadlooms, cotton thread is recommended as it does not stretch like Nymo. Use Quilting thread for 12/0 and smaller, and Button & Carpet for 10/0 and 11/0. Nymo can be used for warp threads, too, but it should be pre-stretched before use, even for gourd or lazy stitch. Thread should be coated with beeswax during use as this helps prevent tangling and prolongs the life of the thread.
Size “A” or “00” Nymo is best for 13/0 and smaller beads; Size “B” is good for 11/0 and 12/0 and size “D” works well for both 10/0 and 11/0 beads. Size “F” is quite heavy and is good for 5/0 & 8/0 pony beads, as well for an all around craft thread for heavy duty sewing of items like moccasins, clothing, drumstick heads, leather bags, and similar items.
NOTE: Size 15B needles come in packs of, 12B in packs of 10; all others are in packs of 25.
Size 16B needles are no longer available. The smallest size now is 15B.
Beading Needles
These long thin needles are used primarily for loomwork, but also work quite well for gourd stitch and beaded earrings. Needle size indicates the smallest bead size for which that needle is intended; however, a smaller size needle is used when it must pass through the bead twice as in gourd stitch, loomwork, or earrings.
Nymo & Cotton Thread Bobbins, Spools & Cones
Be Sure to Get the Right Thread for Your Project
Nymo thread use by size:
- Size “A” Nymo Thread (or “OO”) is best for size 13/0 and smaller beads.
- Size “B” Nymo Thread is good for sizes 11/0 and 12/0 beads.
- Size “D” Nymo Thread works well for both 10/0 and 11/0 beads.
- Size “F” Nymo Thread is quite heavy and is good for sizes 5/0 & 8/0 pony beads, as well for an all around craft thread for heavy duty sewing of items like moccasins, clothing,
drumstick heads, leather bags and similar items.
Cotton thread use by type/size:
- Use quilting thread for 12/0 and smaller seed beads
- Use button & carpet for 10/0 and 11/0 size seed beads
- For warp threads (the ones on the loom before you start to attach beads”, cotton thread is recommended as it does not stretch like Nymo.
- NOTE: Nymo thread can also be used for warp threads, but it should be pre-stretched before use, even for gourd or lazy stitch.
- Always coat your thread with beeswax as this helps prevent tangling and prolongs the life of the thread.
French “Fil Au Chinois” Linen Thread: 50M Capsules; 30M Spools
French “Fil Au Chinois” Linen Thread
Imported from France, this fine quality, 100% linen thread is extremely strong and does not stretch, thus giving it the ability to hold a tight knot. This makes it particularly well-suited for hand sewing of clothing and leather. Also excellent for use as warp threads in loom beadwork, it is great for jewelry making and stringing beads. Fil Au Chinois” Linen Thread is lightly waxed, but not sticky, and quite smooth. Size 100 is the finest, a bit lighter than quilting thread; Size 40 is heavy and best for possible bags, sheaths, buttons, and heavy fabric.
- 5026-040-030 Size 40, Natural (30 Meter)
- 5026-040-031 Size 40, Black (30 Meter) Spool
- 5026-040-035 Size 40, Dk. Brown (30 Meter) Spool
- 5026-040-050 Size 40, Natural (50 Meter Capsule)
- 5026-040-051 Size 40, Black (50 Meter Capsule)
- 5026-040-055 Size 40, Dk. Brown (50 Meter Capsule)
- 5026-099-050 Size 100, Natural (50 Meter Capsule)
- 5026-099-051 Size 100, Black (50 Meter Capsule)
Heavy Linen Thread, 3-6 Cord, Waxed & Unwaxed for Hand Sewing, 1 Lb. Spools
Crazy Crow Trading Post offers Heavy Linen Thread, 3-5 Cord, waxed and unwaxed, in natural, black and brown colors (except 4-ply), for light to medium duty sewing needs such as bags, moccasins, clothing, etc. Linen is the strongest natural textile fiber, making a superior and long-wearing thread that is historically correct for hand sewing. This is heavier than standard sewing thread and excellent for all around sewing of possible bags, knife sheaths, pouches and even clothing and tents. Blending well with natural color fabrics and leathers, this thread is a pleasure to work with.
Best Uses for each size linen thread:
- 3-Cord is best for most light to medium applications such as bags, pouches, small knife sheaths & clothing.
- 4-Cord and 5-Cord sizes are better for heavier duty sewing such as shooting bags, knife sheaths, moccasin soles, tents and tipis.
- View all Linen Thread products online.
Thread Size, Spool Size & Color Availability:
- Crazy Crow Trading Post offers Heavy Linen Thread in 3, 4, & 5 ply (cord) sizes.
- 3 & 5 ply sizes are available in 45 yard & 1 lb. spools; 4-ply is only available in 1 lb. spools.
- 3 & 5 ply sizes are available in natural, black, and brown colors.
- 4 ply is available only in 1 lb. spools and only in natural color.
- All sizes are available as waxed or unwaxed.
- 1 pound spools contain the following approximate yardage:
3-ply: Waxed 1,250 yards; Unwaxed 1,660 yards.
4-ply: Waxed 1,130 yards; Unwaxed 1,460 yards.
5-ply: Waxed 910 yards; Unwaxed 1,260 yards.
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