Do you make leather crafts by hand? If so, then you know the importance of using a quality sewing thread. Perhaps you need something durable to stitch up cowboy boots or a leather wallet you want to give away for Father’s Day. Choosing the right thread means your gift will last a long time and hold up to plenty of use.
Selecting the best thread depends on the project you are working on or making. To repair leather, a thick, braided thread with a waxy coating will work great. You need a material that holds up to going in and out of holsters and knife sheaths for hunting items.
For more delicate applications, a thinner material or a particular color might be necessary. If you hand stitch curtains, aprons, tents, or luggage, then you may find the thinner threads easier to manage. When you need to make repair patches, then choosing an item you can dye or that comes in a matching color may be the most decisive detail.
Tandy Nylon 1227-01 – Best Portable Spool for Sewing
When you go camping, fishing, hiking, or cave diving, then you are likely to use high-quality leather materials and durable outdoor gear. If your boots get a rip, then you need a thick thread you can use on the fly. We like the size of this spool of waxed thread because it is small and light enough to store in a tackle box, book bag, or hiking pack.
Material and durability
While 35 pounds of tension to break the line does not make this the most durable item on this list, it does withstand a lot of use. The strength of this thread is strong enough for fixing thick leather items like hiking shoes and cleats. When your tent, sleeping bag, and other supplies rip, then this material might be a more durable solution.
| Pros | Cons |
| Beeswax covering to prevent fraying and ease of use | Manufactured outside the United States |
| Coating stays solid in low and high temperatures | – |
| Round, consistent shape | – |
We like this product for the mobility factor. We think when you want something to stitch up your camper awning, this material will be waterproof and withstand temperature changes. You may feel this thread is a good item to stash in your RV tool kit because it is smaller than a handheld cigarette lighter.
Beige eBoot waxed cord – Best Apparel and Shoes Thread for Sewing
Do you get tired of the thread catching in the needle and breaking when you are sewing? We understand how important it is to keep going when you have little time on your hands. This material is less stiff and easier to navigate through the machine.
Materials
This thread is a smooth item with a flat shape. The manufacturer says one spool will last for an entire day of sewing. The fabric cord uses a synthetic polyester material making your seams resistant to fraying and damage from water, mud, and ice.
| Pros | Cons |
| Flat thread holds tight to seams | Not the strongest item in our manual |
| Works well in machines or for hand stitching | – |
| Will not ravel with a little bit of heat | – |
Do you find the wax on most nylon threads gooey and hard to get off your hands. Instead of stopping what you are doing to cleanup, you might want to our thread option from eBoot. The material is similar to dental floss and does not leave a residue on your hands as you stitch upholstery or crafts.
Mandala String Cord – Best Thread for Hobbies
When you make personalized gifts and handcrafted items, it is important to use quality materials. You want the items you sew to withstand regular use and daily handling. Mandala makes threads specifically for sewing crafts and repairing handmade keepsakes.
Materials and strength
Although this thread is one of the thinner options on this countdown, the construction of the material is tough. The braiding process adds stability to the thread making it sturdy enough to use with awls and laces. You can use these fibers with tools or by hand to stitch up hats, make cell phone cases, or to create covers for carts.
| Pros | Cons |
| Only needs a thin coating of beeswax to make the thread easier to manage | Very light coating of wax making it necessary to apply more coating to prevent knotting |
| Excellent for furniture making | – |
| Will not break by hand | – |
| Resistant to mildew | – |
When you want to create a special cover for a book, table, or lamp, then it helps to use good caliber products. This thread is thin enough for beading, macrame, making books, and sewing leather bags and purses. When you finish a row of stitches, then a quick flick of a lighter is all you need to seal the ends.
Black Leather Whipping Thread – Best Heavy Duty Sewing Cord
Do you own horses? Are saddles and tack a regular part of your day? If you need a handy material to keep around for long-lasting repairs, then you might like this handy option.
Components and strength
The coarse thread is a full millimeter thick cord in a round shape. While the material holds up well in sewing machines, many consumers feel it is more comfortable to use by hand.
| Pros | Cons |
| Excellent for indoor or outdoor items | May need additional wax to keep sewing consistent |
| Resists mold and mildew | – |
| Tough enough for stitching boat sails, luggage, and items that tote large loads | – |
When you work with animals, it is important to wear protective gear. Keeping these items in good repair means using top materials. We think you may like the nylon material of this thread because it does not tangle easily, and it slides in place making sewing fixes a quick task.
Dow Leather Thread – Best for Hand Stitching
Is your vehicle a source of pride? Do you work hard to keep your leather interior in perfect shape? You may like using a thread with wax to use one continuous piece of material for long seams.
Components and durability
The ILJILU thread from Dow comes in a brown color that blends in well with similar colors. This fabric looks thin because of the weaving pattern the manufacturer uses to wind up the material. Consumers using this product say it can withstand an 80 to 110-pound strength test before breaking.
| Pros | Cons |
| Braided line | May clog sewing machines |
| Excellent color for boots, horseback riding gear, and camping equipment | Separating strands may cause fraying |
| Works on a variety of goods like tents, canvas covers, steering wheels, boat sails, boots, and leather seats | – |
This brown cord makes sewing a manageable task. To keep knots from coming undone, it may be necessary to double knot the material. You can apply a light touch of a flame from a candle or lighter to seal the ends.
Black Sinew – Best Natural Fiber for Sewing
Do you prefer to work with waterproof materials when crafting, making repairs, or making clothing? Using a durable fiber allows you to dye the material a different color. You can also split apart the strands and use them individually for beading, necklaces, and embroidering.
Materials
Many leather crafters and horse riding enthusiasts prefer to use robust sewing materials to make, fix, and upgrade items with premium threads. This Sinew is a synthetic creation. The interlocking fibers strengthen the thread spreading the weight out evenly.
| Pros | Cons |
| Resists mold and mildew | Does not stick to itself well when knotting |
| Excellent medium for making jewelry and working with exquisite leather apparel | – |
| Holds as much as 70 pounds | – |
When you wrap candles and gifts with durable cording, you know the recipients are getting a blue-ribbon present. The man-made sinew is less apt to fraying and breakage than fabric threads. You may like using this material to keep your athletic gear in good shape.
Waxed DZT1968 Thread – Best Upholstery Sewing Cord
Do you repair fine leather couches and chairs? If you are a hands-on person, then you may want a durable and lasting repair thread. This black string is even thin enough for creating wires for model trains.
| Pros | Cons |
| Splendid material for applications from hobby building to luggage repairs | May be too thick for delicate goods like belts and wallets |
| Black color works for all dark leathers | – |
| Waxy exterior | – |
This waxed string prevents the line from tangling while you sew. You may like the affordability of this item.
Ritza – Best Professional Sewing Thread
Do you embroider or bead for a living? When you need a go-to string to sew sequins on a purse, you want a component that holds up if stretched or snagged. A cotton thread will break under these conditions.
Materials and strength
You may find many uses for the Ritza cording because it comes in a braided line that you need to cut to separate. The near millimeter thick string is tough allowing property owners to use the line to patch up awnings or tie down tarps after a storm.
| Pros | Cons |
| German manufacturing | Thin line |
| Interlocking weave pattern | – |
| Thin coating of wax to prevent stickiness | – |
Professional leather crafters rely on this thread more than most. This string is tough enough for heavy-duty use like securing tents in a storm or fixing sleeping bags out in the elements. We like the string because it is comfortable to use.
Flameer Green Six Spool Set – Best Combo Thread Kit
When you find a product you love, then this choice may become your favorite. We like the Flameer thread because it comes in six spools of varying shades. Our set comes in green, but the manufacturer makes other colors.
Materials and toughness
This string is a cotton fiber with a waxy covering to resist moisture penetration. The thread is long-lasting. We recommend using it for indoor applications. However, this string is strong and holds a good bit of weight.
| Pros | Cons |
| Flat thread design | String lengths may vary due to processing techniques |
| Six color shades | Colors may be slightly different than pictured |
| Resists wear and breaking | – |
When you want to embroider a surprise for someone special, then using a combination of colors can be eye-catching. Using these threads lets crafters design a multi-toned object. Adding depth is much easier with this thread choice.
Coats and Clark Dual Duty – Best Miniature Thread Choice
Do you make furniture for dollhouses? Are you the creator of fine leather miniatures? Using our final pick for best sewing thread from Coats and Clark lets you stitch up tiny seams without bulging strands.
| Pros | Cons |
| Nylon | One of the smallest threads |
| Heavy-duty | – |
| Delicate enough for wedding attire | – |
The thin style of this thread makes it easier to grab with tweezers. When you work under a magnifying glass to line up seams, a consistent product helps even out the design.
Buyer’s Guide – Your in-depth look at sewing fibers
Strength
How do you choose the right material? If you need a tough seam, then heavy-duty threads are a must. Our comparison guide gives you the details of our list at a glance.
Thickness
For fine projects like jewelry or beading, the thinner cords work best. To patch car seats and outdoor gear, the braided strings are most durable. The flat or round texture is another thing to think about when selecting the best thread.
Material:
- Fabric
- Synthetic
- Combination
- Waxy or natural
- Applications
What do you sew? Do you sew by hand or use a machine? These answers make a difference in the thread you need.
Video Tutorial: How to Select Thread for Leather?
Spool size
Do you repair a lot of stuff? Do you use tons of thread? Consider the length of the material to save costs. Buying in bulk can save shipping costs too.
Stickiness of the wax
Is the coating so thick it will not go through the needle eye? Maybe another option on our list is a better choice. A lightly waxed thread may prevent breakage.
Final sewing leather recommendations
Our guide for best leather sewing threads contains a variety of options. We want you to have the information you need to buy the correct product. To get a glimpse of the materials, check out the pros and cons list for the individual materials.
Personally, when I use threads with my leather the only type I will ever use is the Leather Sewing Thread. I’ve found that it holds leather together perfectly and does not manage to come loose as other types of threads tend to do.
There’s a lot of information to take in when learning about threads for leather. Each project needs to be assessed individually to discern which thread is best for the job. There are some types that work well for most projects but I like to choose based on the leather I’m using, what I’m making and how the finished item will ultimately be used.