what type of sewing machine thread would yu choose to sew a silk blouse?

Question

all purpose cotton/polyester

extra-fine polyester

long fiber polyester

buttonhole twist

Answer 1

Because silk is a delicate fabric, even thought it comes in different thicknesses, I'd personally choose extra-fine polyester thread that is more than 50 wt. Most all-purpose threads are medium weight (50 wt). The higher the weight number, the finer the thread.

Answer 2

Depending on the weight of the silk, I'd probably go for a lightweight, long-fiber poly like Superior's BottomLine, or for heavier silk, a standard dressmaking weight good quality poly - Gutermann or better. Or if I was feeling very flush, Tire silk of the appropriate weight for the fabric.

Buttonhole twist is a heavy thread meant for topstitching and handworked buttonholes (I also use it for cording buttonholes).

And I loathe, detest and abominate the cotton-wrapped polyester threads... worst of both fibers, imho. And I don't like them, either.

For lightweight woven silk, I'd probably use a size 8 micro Schmetz needle with that light poly or silk thread. Regular poly thread is usually a bit too fat to sit down in the long groove of the needle properly on a size 8, and you can get odd tension problems with that combination. Regular weight threads sew well in size 10 and up needles.

Universals or ballpoints for silk knits... generally ballpoints, imo.

If you'd like to see what the various sizes of needles (and their eyes) look like lined up next to each other, look at the needle album at http://www.picturetrail.com, album for kkl1234 (that's an L followed by a one).

And don't forget to cut your silk on paper for accuracy, and keep any pins out in the seam allowance.

Answer 3

Extra-fine polyester. A good website for information on a variety of sewing questions is:
http://tomfarrell.org/textiles/sewing/thread.html

Answer 4

You also want a smaller needle.