There is ONE THING that you can do to create fewer sewing machine dust bunnies, and thus help your sewing machine perform better. Use quality thread. That’s it! Easy! But what threads are the best? Keep reading to find out. 

Using good quality thread makes all the difference. Bargain bin threads can cause so many problems. Even the tiny amount of pressure from the needle’s eye catches the loose fibers on the edge of that bargain thread causing minor thread breakage or even total thread failure and frustration. Those tiny extra fibers that come loose end up into the inner workings of your sewing machine, and create a lot more work for you and wear on your machine. I’m not telling you to go throw out all your thread. Just make better decisions next time you buy thread.

What kind of thread should I use in my sewing machine?

I use Gutermann 100% polyester “Sew-All” or “Mara 100”, almost exclusively. Sulky, and Mettler threads are also great and also have affordable 100% cotton threads that hold up well. Any thread with a poly core will likely separate very easily from the cotton outer, making a mess for you. It will say something like “Cotton wrapped polyester core”. 

This advice is strictly for machine sewing, if you are hand sewing the rules are different and you are not worrying about the health of your sewing machine.

These threads can be a bit more expensive, but not that expensive. After all, everything you sew is held together by nothing but the thread. If the thread is poor quality your whole garment may not last as long.  You can actually get Gutermann Mara 100 – 100% Polyester thread for the same cost or less than Coats & Clark “All-Purpose” thread. Wawak.com is my preferred supplier for thread, but there are also some Amazon Prime options.

Dust bunnies

Don’t panic about those dust bunnies. They happen to some extent with any thread. If you want our sewing machine to work properly for you, you have to take care of it by dusting and feed it with oil. I suggest that you clean and oil after it after any big project, or after a few small projects.  It/s really easy to forget, and I would much rather be sewing than cleaning my machine. You can instantly download a Sewing Machine Cleaning & Needle Change Log using the form below Learn more about cleaning and oiling your sewing machine here.

Want to remember this? Add this sewing thread article to your Sewing Board.