"Thing" of the Week: Jan 24-30

When I started leatherworking, I had a hard time finding thread I like. The main problem was that good thread seemed prohibitively expensive when you're just getting started, but cheaper thread just hurts when you're using it. I constantly had blisters on my fingers and callouses building up from using rougher thread.

I tried some unnamed brand first, and quickly decided I needed something else. Then tried the Carriage brand hand-sewing thread from Tandy, and it was a little better, but still felt pretty rough when I was sewing with it. To be fair, it's hemp thread so I expected it to be as rough as it was strong. But I picked it up when I saw colors on sale or on clearance, and that worked for a while. I know a lot of people like Ritza Tiger thread, and a few other brands often were named in thread discussions, but I had enough of a thread stash at the time that I wanted to use up before investing into something more expensive.

But my favorite leatherworkers on YouTube kept making videos with a softer, silkier-looking thread that resulted in nice, professional results. At first I had to scour the comments, and discovered it was Vinymo MBT.

The description called it "sexy-twisty" so I gave it a shot and bought a spool in an off-white that I needed. I also got the thread guide so I could match my leather as needed.

...this was the most amazing thread I ever felt, and I have a drawer full of threads and flosses from my cosplay days. "Sexy-twisty" is the perfect description...it's silky in the hands, goes through the leather smoothly, and I had fewer problems of stabbing my needles through the thread while doing a saddle stitch. I showed it to my husband, by first letting him touch the cheap thread I had on hand, then the Carriage thread (which he agreed was better), and then the Vinymo. "Whoa!" was his immediate reaction.

It is polyester thread, so it might not be as strong as some threads you're used to using. However, it also comes in multiple thicknesses, so you can find the weight you need. I prefer using #5 for most of my hand-sewing. AND THE COLORS! I think I've found perfect or near-perfect matches for nearly all of my leather.

It took a while to find a supplier, but my two favorite sources are District Leather Supply (for most of the basic colors, and when you need it quickly if it's in stock), and LeathercraftTools.com for the rest of the colors, and for slightly cheaper if you're willing to wait a little longer for shipping. (Shipping is still quick, but not quite as fast, and costs a little more.)