Thread Manufacturing: A Complete Guide to History, Materials, and Manufacturing Processes

Sewing threads are yarns specifically designed and engineered to pass through a sewing machine with ease, creating strong and durable stitches that do not break or lose their shape over time. The main goal of a thread is to provide both aesthetic and functional value to the seams and stitches of a product. But the sewing threads we know today were not always the way they are now. Thread manufacturing has an interesting history that led to the development of revolutionary products used in modern applications.

The evolution of thread manufacturing

Humans have been using thread since they started wearing clothing to protect the body and keep it warm. Initially, sewing threads were created by slicing animal hide into thin strips, which were then used to stitch large pieces of fur and hide together. As civilisation progressed, thread manufacturing evolved to cater to the fashion trends in clothing, resulting in more refined methods of dyeing and spinning.

The Egyptians were knowledgeable in using plant fibres and wool, and hair from domestic animals in spinning. Along with the Phoenicians, they also excelled in using berries and plant materials to create vibrant and durable dyes.

Meanwhile, the Chinese and Japanese were the first to appreciate the elegance of silk fibres spun into thread and woven into cloth.

During the Middle Ages, advancements in shipping, wool production and processing, and the opening of the Silk Road to Asia led to the growth of woven tapestries and needlework. Tapestries were a popular art form that allowed for large, portable and colourful scenes to be created. Wool yarn was primarily used to weave tapestries, but linen, cotton, silk, and precious metals were also used to make these grand paintings in fibre. These materials inspired seamstresses and needleworkers to create smaller works stitched with sewing or embroidery thread.

Thread manufacturing moved from small, home-based industries into factories with fast machinery during the Industrial Revolution in the 17th and 18th centuries. This change led to the production of more uniform and higher quality thread with fewer defects, allowing manufacturers to concentrate on improving the characteristics of different fibre types. This resulted in stronger thread products, more accurate dye colours, and a greater variety of thread options for different applications.

Today, almost all kinds of threads are manufactured in a fully automated process using innovative machines that remove imperfections and rejoin ends to create an even thread without weak spots, joins, or knots. To know more about the latest trends in thread manufacturing, check out this thread production technical bulletin by Coats.

About the Author:

Coats is the world’s leading industrial thread company. They are headquartered in the UK, with a workforce of 17,000 in 50 countries across six continents around the world. Coats provide complementary and value-adding products, services and software solutions to the Apparel & Footwear industries. Coats apply innovative techniques to develop high technology Performance Materials threads, yarns and fabrics in areas such as Transportation, Telecoms and Energy, and Personal Protection.

Our vision is to be the world’s leading industrial textiles company delivering innovation, digital solutions and sustainable value to all stakeholders.

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