ok--so I guess either I asked a confusing question, or a stupid one. Could someone please explain thread sizes to me? I think I have figured out that the larger the number, the smaller the dinier of thread--at least where it applies to industrial machine thread? Is this right?
I hope this makes my question more clear. If not, at least this "thread" can drop off the front page now.
Thanks, Wendy

Hi Wendy,

I don't sew drapes but I do use #69 bonded nylon thread in my Juki industrial. It is a thick, very heavy weight thread. I have used it to sew bridles, saddle blankets, and such without having thread failures. It seems to me like it would be heavier than needed for drapes. It would certainly hold things together, but in places where you end up backstitching seams and such, there ends up being bulk.

I am planning to try the #33 bonded nylon thread for my medium duty projects. I think the #69 thread is overkill for anything I make except my heavy leather goods (which my machine can barely handle).

#33 bonded thread at SewTrue

Cheers,
Michelle

Hello Michelle,
Thanks for the link to sewtrue--nice site. I was wrong about the correlation of denier and number of thread. I finally found a good website that explained it all--Surperior threads. Anyway, think I will just try a smaller thread and see if it works --play around with the tension, etc.
Thanks for the reply, Wendy

Hi Wendy,

Post back when you settle on the type of thread to use. I am still experimenting with thread types myself. I wonder if a monofilament (clear) topthread and a bottom poly thread would work for some of your projects, where you didn't want the thread to show. The monofilament thread is tough stuff. I have used it for both horse tack and more recently for quilting. One of the first bridles I made is held together with monofilament, and I'm suprised it held, given the way I stitched it. :-) There is a lot of tension on a stiff, decorative overlay and the thread hasn't popped yet.

Cheers,
Michelle