The topic of thread has been on my mind lately.
I just got the annual tune up on my sewing machine and the technician scolded me.
Wow, I wasn’t expecting that!
She asked what brand of thread I use.
When I told her “Sometimes Coats and Clark and sometimes Gutterman”, I got a sharp reprimand.
She told me that the only kind to use is Mettler.
Mettler? I don’t know about you, but I think I’ve only been in about 2 stores in my life that carry that brand.
I didn’t think it mattered that much.
I already knew not to buy the stuff that is ten spools for a dollar.
I learned that when I worked at Hancock Fabrics in high school, before dinosaurs roamed the earth.
The cheap stuff is fuzzy, gums up the tension discs, and breaks real easily.
She’s saying that that’s what my brands are doing too.
It’s weird. I used to only take my machine in every four or five years because I kept it clean and well oiled right here at home.
But over the last two years, my machine has been hesitating when I step on the foot pedal.
She said that’s directly related to my cheap thread.
But Gutterman is pretty high quality, isn’t it?
Coats and Clark is what America uses, doesn’t it?
And, I only use my really old stuff to hand baste with.
Is it because my Bernina is 27 years old?
No.
She said thread has changed in the last few years.
Hmm.
Have you heard this from your technician too?
What brand do you use?
Filed under: Basic Skills, Gadgets Tagged: | Bernina, Coats and Clark, Gutterman, Mettler, quality thread
The thread is one that is important, yes. However, I have never been told not to use Coats and Clark. It is a staple of my notions pile. Mettler is very good; I use it for my sergers and also blind stitcher and have been very happy with the results over all. The cheaper brands of threads, like a store brand, are quite NOT to my liking—-ex: walmart’s brand—although I do use that for handbasting and such.
Just realized that I meant to say I use Maxilock for the serger not Mettler. Use Mettler for sewing. I just had a 747 moment when I first commented. Reread it today and OOPS! sorry
my apologies to all .
When I bought my Bernina 19 years ago, the Bernina agent told me to only use Gutterman and then 6 years ago when I added a Baby Lock, they told me to use only Mettler. So I use only the Coats and Clark for basting and hand sewing. If you look at the threads, you can really see the difference.
I always thought they said that because they were trying to make money. I have only had my Bernina for about 2 years and use a combo of Coats & Clark and Gutterman. I try to stock up on the expensive stuff when it is on sale.
Hmmmm. I never really thought about the thread that much. Guess I’d better do an inventory and throw out any of the cheap ones. I’ve never heard of Mettler either and have no idea where I might find it other than the internet. Thanks for the tips.
I really prefer Gutterman. I know not to use C&C, but on occasion, they have a color that matches better. A big part of this question should also be about what’s available. At my last house those were my only two choices; where I’m at now, I hav no choices. There is no fabric store to even buy thread. Since I’m going to have to web order them, this would be a good time to experiment w/Gutterman vs. Metler to see if I really do prefer it or if I was just using the best of what was available to me?
Hi everyone, I am a new sewer and was told by a very experienced sewer, Marcia, from the Close to Home store in CT that Mettler is THE best thread. Close to Home is a family run store and they really carry the best stuff for sewing and are willing to spend time explaining why. I am pleased with Mettler and find it is very smooth. I don’t think I could NOT use Mettler thread. So far, the folks at Close to Home have always guided me in the right direction.
Actually, a few years ago there was a problem with some of the ‘G’ thread. And I’ve had problems with some of the C&C threads shredding when I used a smaller needle; it’s hard to find the finer thread in some stores. I personally have used Mettler threads on my Berninas (sewing machine and serger) and am really happy with it, but occasionally I’ve used other threads to get a good color match.
I live quite far from any store that stocks Mettler Metrosene, so I stock up on larger size spools of basic colors by mail order when they go on sale in February or so each year. Each year I add a few spools of newer colors. I’ve been doing this for enough years that I rarely have to buy thread for a particular project.
So is your machine technician saying you wouldn’t need a yearly cleaning if you used Mettler????
I’ve never heard of Mettler. I’m more of an amateur hobbyist when it comes to sewing and my beautiful 1940′s Singer only sees the light of day 5 or 6 times a year and I don’t use much besides C&C. Should I really worry about fuzz buildup and using a different thread?
For a full line of Mettler Metrosene threads check out Atlanta Thread and Supply Co in Strockbridge GA. They carry everything a professional sewer needs.