Thread Lubricant--Sew News Library

	*Thread Lubricant:* *Boon or Bane?*
	By Peggy Bendel

Slick Beginnings
Like the serger, steam generator iron and many other home-sewing innovations, thread lubricant has its origins in the fashion industry. In garment factories, especially machine embroidery shops, it's common to see sewing machines outfitted with a cup into which a lubricating fluid drips; the thread passes through this cup, then enters the machine. The lubricant minimizes friction between the thread and the metal parts of these high-speed machines, preventing the assembly line from breaking down.

Currently, four thread lubricant brands are available for consumer use: Sewer's Aid from W.H. Collins and Sew Slick from Clotilde contain silicone suspended in a fluid; Lube-It-All™ from Hoop-It-All™ Inc. is silicone suspended in an evaporating medium that includes a cleaning agent; and Tri-Flo™ from Thread PRO is a Teflon™ suspension in an evaporating medium that includes a petroleum component.

How They Work
In theory, these products all work in a similar way. If you could see a magnified close-up of a metal surface, such as the eye of a needle or a sewing machine bobbin hook, you'd notice it has very tiny pits; these pits are present on even the finest metal sewing tools and equipment. Silicone or Teflon™ particles act as microscopic ball bearings to fill in these pits, making the metal smoother and reducing friction.

This smoothing function is of special importance when:

Using a metallic thread (metal on metal creates more friction than fiber on metal) or a weak thread, such as rayon.
Stitching through fabrics such as vinyl or tapestry that tend to drag on the needle.
Embroidering a dense motif through fabric backed with multiple stabilizer layers.

With less friction, the needle stays cooler and the thread is less likely to shred or break or the machine to skip stitches.

When thread lubricants were first introduced to home sewing, the favored application method was to "stripe" the spool by applying a thin line of lubricant from top to bottom, then letting it bleed into the surrounding thread. Now other, more effective thread treatment methods are available. A thread feeding system, such as the Thread PRO attachment, includes an absorbent applicator that lubricates the thread immediately after it leaves the spool. Hoop-It-All™ also offers the Lube-A-Thread™ applicator that attaches to the sewing machine just above the needle and applies the lubricant just before it enters the needle's eye.

Because some sewing machines have rubber or plastic parts in the tension assembly that can be damaged by lubricants, and some have computerized tension systems that become "confused" when lubricated thread passes through them, it's a good idea to check with your dealer before choosing a thread lubricant applicator. Ask whether applying lubricant before or after the tension assembly is recommended for your model. Also ask which lubricant brand is recommended, as some machine manufacturers claim certain lubricants deposit damaging residues on their machines' moving parts.

Smooth Solutions
With the many thread types and machine stitches in use today, even the most ardent thread lubricant fans claim it's only part of the solution when you encounter stitching problems. Key issues you should resolve before applying a single drop of lubricant include:

Needle selection. Specialty needles are available for use with metallic threads, microfiber fabrics, heavy-duty fabrics and very fine threads, as well as for quilting and machine embroidery. The right needle can make a big difference in stitching success.

Tension setting. Decorative threads are pretty, but not strong--that's why you can't use them to sew seams. Many novelty threads stitch more smoothly when the tension is reduced.

Thread feeding. Thread should unwind from the spool and enter the first tension guide on the machine without kinking, twisting or puddling. Switching from a horizontal spool holder to a vertical spindle may be all you need to do to stitch sucessfully with metallic thread; slippery threads often feed better when you cover them with a net, or use a horizontal spool holder on a serger. Various thread management accessories are available for both sergers and conventional sewing machines to help you modify how the thread feeds. Note: Some thread brands feed fine from the first two-thirds of a spool, but the remainder causes problems because of the way the thread is wound or curled onto the spool; in these cases, you may have to discard the end of the spool.

Machine condition. Have you recently broken a needle? Burrs on the throatplate may cause the thread to catch before a stitch forms. Is the timing due for adjustment? A tune-up may be needed to keep the delicate dance between needle and bobbin hook in perfect step.


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