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Superior Threads

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February-March 2006 Newsletter

February/March 2006
Wise Words From Mother Superior
Needle sizes are not the same for regular home machines and commercial machines. Some of the new machines that are mounted on quilting frames require commercial needles, not the regular home machine needles. They use different measurement standards. A size 90/14 needle on a home machine is a medium-to-large size needle but a size 14 needle for a commercial machine is very small. An equivalent medium-to-large size needle for a commercial machine is a size 18.

Education: Don't always believe the labels
We've discussed before about the all-too-common inaccurate label problem. If you have compared three different brands of 50 wt. cotton thread, you have most likely noticed that they are all different sizes. The differences could be due to inaccurate labeling, differences in thread processing, or a combination of both. Regardless what the label says, a high quality non-glazed cotton thread will have very low lint, a smooth, tight twist, no slubs (clumps of lint wound into the thread), and a nice smooth appearance. A low quality cotton thread might start out with similar fibers but due to budget processing, will have more lint, a looser twist, and will not be consistently smooth. The biggest clue to the quality of the thread is the price. It just isn't possible to have a high quality product at a super budget price.
Twenty years ago, the term Egyptian cotton was commonly used as a generic term (similar to how we use the term Kleenex for tissue) for quality cotton fibers, regardless of origin. This generic term is no longer legally allowed because the Egyptian cotton growers protect their name. Unfortunately, many ignore that law and continue to use the term Egyptian cotton although the origin is not Egypt. One brand of cotton thread proudly boasts on their labels, 'Egyptian cotton. Made in the U.S.A.' Huh???
The best way to distinguish quality is not by the label, but by using the product. There is more to a product than the fiber type. Processing techniques add as much or more to the finished product quality as does the raw material. Following is a list of processing terms which affect the quality of cotton thread.
Mercerized. Today, nearly all cotton thread is mercerized. If a label says only 'mercerized cotton,' it is probably because there is nothing else to brag about (such as long staple or extra long staple). Mercerizing is a process of treating cotton thread with a solution, causing the fibers to swell. This process allows the dye to better penetrate the fibers, thereby increasing the luster. Today, all quality cotton thread is mercerized even if the label does not say so. Labels can advertise only a limited amount of information and stating that the cotton is mercerized is no longer most important.
Staple. The length of the raw material fiber. The longer the staple, the stronger the thread. If there is no mention of the staple length, assume it is a regular (or short) staple thread. If it is long staple or extra long staple, it will proudly state that fact.
Gassed. Gassing refers to passing a cotton thread at high speed through a flame, burning off the excess fuzz in order to create a higher sheen. 'Gassed thread' does not sound very appealing so other terms have been created such as 'Polished Cotton' and 'Silk Finish Cotton.'
Glazed. Glazing involves heating the thread and then coating it with waxes, starches, and other chemicals. Glazing results in a glossy thread with a hard finish. Glazed thread is stiffer than unglazed thread and has a wire-like look and feel. Most professionals do not recommend glazed threads for machine work as the glaze rubs off and gums up the machine. Although usually not labeled as such, glazed cottons are recommended for hand quilting only.
Silk-finish. This is not a silk-wrapped cotton. This is a nice sounding term for gassed cotton. See above.
Polished. Another term for gassed cotton. See above.

What's New
1. Dissolve-4x is a fast and clean dissolving heavy duty water soluble stabilizer. Dissolve-4x is four times as heavy (thus the name, four-ex) as regular water soluble stabilizer. It is therefore much more stable and usually does not require multi layering. It is wonderful for lacework embroidery and for making thread garments and scarves. It has been available in 1-yd. folded packs (47 in. wide) and also on 16-inch wide rolls (4 yds. long). We've had many requests for longer rolls and we now have the 16-inch wide roll available in 20 yd. lengths. The price for the 20 yd. roll is $59.95, which is a savings of $20.00. Here's the link: http://www.superiorthreads.com/ Click on Products, then Dissolve-4x.
2. MasterPiece color cards are here. These are made with the actual thread so no more guessing by looking at the computer screen or printed sheet. As with all our color cards, we sell these at our cost of only $3.00.
3. All 50 colors of MasterPiece 600 yd. spools and most of the 3,000 yd. cones are in stock. MasterPiece by Alex Anderson is a very smooth #50/2-ply extra-long staple Egyptian cotton thread, similar to King Tut in quality, but quite a bit finer. By the way, if you just read the above Education portion, MasterPiece is mercerized, gassed/silk-finished/polished, and not glazed. It is made for
* piecing
* applique
* detail quilting
* lacework
* bobbin thread
MasterPiece is available in 50 beautiful solid colors and in two spool sizes: 600 yds. and 3,000 yds. It really is nature's finest thread. MasterPiece is guaranteed to be the smoothest and cleanest non-glazed, lightweight cotton thread you've ever used. Like all of our products, MasterPiece is guaranteed. Use it and love it or we'll buy it back. Here's the link to the color chart: http://www.superiorthreads.com/product/63

Unpaid Public Service Announcement
If you or someone you know is shopping for a Juki sewing machine or serger, check out http://www.sewunbelievable.com/ They are a factory authorized dealer, absolutely guarantee the lowest prices on new machines, and this year will probably be the largest Juki dealer in North America. With a purchase of the best-selling TL-98Q model, you receive a FREE $300 shopping spree of threads of your choice from Superior Threads. Quilt pattern books, quilt kits, and other items are also available, all qualifying for free shopping sprees.

Bob's Superior Joke of the Month
A husband and wife go to a counselor after 15 years of marriage. The counselor asks them what the problem is and the wife goes into a tirade listing every problem they have ever had in the 15 years they've been married. She goes on and on and on.
Finally, the counselor gets up, walks around the desk, embraces the wife and kisses her passionately.The woman shuts up and sits quietly in a daze.
The counselor turns to the husband and says, "This is what your wife needs at least three times a week. Can you do this?"
The husband thinks for a moment and replies, "Well, I can drop her off here on Mondays and Wednesdays, but on Fridays, I golf.

Invitation to Retail Stores
If you own or work at a store that carries any of our products, please add your store information to the Store Locator on our website. Customers can find you by country, state, or zip code. We will tell the world about your store, list all Superior products you carry, list your phone number and website, and even provide a map. Listing is free. Here's the link: http://www.superiorthreads.com/locate/

Thank you for reading. Please forward to a friend and have a SUPERIOR day.
Bob Purcell, the Thread Professor
Superior Threads: The ONLY thread with a guarantee.

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