Threads

Threads are a unique human invention, without which it is impossible to imagine the existence of many modern things. Meanwhile, they appeared many thousands of years ago and in their original form looked very unusual.

@sotina_a

Story

In ancient times, people connected elements of primitive clothing to each other using thin hairs from the skin of animals caught in hunting.

A little later, during the heyday of Ancient Egypt, the hair of domesticated animals, rather than wild ones, was used. Even then, people tried to transform the appearance of threads. For example, they were colored with vegetable dyes (berries, grass). And the ancient Chinese discovered silk threads, incredibly expensive, but durable.

For a long time, threads were used only for practical purposes - they were used to connect fabrics. However, in the Middle Ages, when shipping and trade with Asian countries developed especially actively, European ladies learned that they could be used for needlework (for example, embroidery).

Around the 18th century, threads began to be produced on an industrial scale.At that time, various factories were opened throughout Europe, equipped with machine tools and high-speed machines for that time.

@kladovaya_enota

Peculiarities

Threads are thin fibers of small diameter twisted together. Reels, spools, and paper sleeves are used for packaging. Their main function is to firmly fasten textile parts to each other.

Threads today are almost always a chemical product, the raw materials for which are polyamide, polyester, propylene, vinyl, viscose and other artificially obtained or natural fibers.

The manufacturing process consists of three stages:

1. Tinning, or putting together several fibers of raw materials. The number of such “layers” varies.
2. Twisting, which also consists of two steps. First, the fibers twist to the right side, and then back to the left. By the way, the number of twists at both stages must be the same, otherwise the finished threads will turn out to be defective and will be problematic to use. Often during this stage, the raw material fibers are additionally moistened to eliminate “shaggyness”.
3. Finishing is a complex process that includes bleaching or dyeing, as well as finishing and polishing. The last two operations are carried out to improve the smoothness, strength and elasticity of the finished threads.

@filaticlub

Kinds

In sewing stores, an inexperienced needlewoman can get lost - the selection of modern threads is so huge. They differ in the material they are made of and can be made of cotton, linen, wool, silk or synthetic.

Depending on the area of ​​application, the following types of threads are distinguished:

1. Sewing. They differ in fineness (the ratio of length to weight), which has a numerical designation.The higher this number, the thinner the thread, and vice versa.
2. For embroidery and needlework - floss. You can’t mend a sock with these threads, but with their help it is possible to create an incredibly beautiful picture if you develop certain skills. The main thing in floss is not strength, but the quality of color and uniformity of the fibers. The result of all the work of the needlewoman depends on these indicators.
3. Knitting, or yarn. With their help, you can knit any product by hand or by machine. Yarn can be natural, synthetic or mixed, and bobbins are often used for packaging.

So, modern threads are different. They should be purchased taking into account the purpose for which they are intended. However, do not forget to pay attention to quality - sometimes a lot depends on it.