Blogs
Notes on thread, colour & making
Practical guides on choosing thread, matching colour and getting a clean finish — from the STI Ideal workroom.
11 October 2026
How to Mend a Split Seam by Hand: A Simple Repair
Repair a split seam by hand: check the fabric, match thread, backstitch along the old seam and secure both ends.
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5 October 2026
Sewing Thread Keeps Breaking? Five Checks Before You Quit
Five checks for snapping sewing thread: rethread, replace the needle, check spool feed, adjust upper tension carefully and inspect the bobbin.
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3 October 2026
How to Store Sewing Thread: Keep Spools Ready to Sew
Learn how to store sewing thread away from dust, sunlight and damp. Keep spools tidy, label matching bobbins and build a useful thread set for your project.
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21 August 2026
Sewing Machine Spool Thread: Spool vs Bobbin Guide
Spool thread supplies the upper thread, the bobbin supplies the lower. Learn how they form a stitch, how to wind evenly and how to fix common feed problems.
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21 August 2026
How to Sew with Needle and Thread: A Beginner Guide
Learn the tools, steps and stitches for neat hand sewing, from threading and knotting to running stitch, backstitch and simple everyday repairs.
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1 August 2026
Kinds of Thread for Sewing: A Practical Beginner Guide
Compare common kinds of thread for sewing, learn when polyester, cotton and specialist threads make sense, and choose the right type and colour with confidence.
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26 July 2026
How to Thread a Sewing Needle by Hand: Simple Guide
Learn how to thread a sewing needle by hand, stop frayed ends and tangles, and choose practical thread colours for repairs and everyday sewing with confidence.
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18 July 2026
How to Thread a Sewing Machine: a Simple 9-Step Guide
Learn how to thread a sewing machine in nine clear steps, from the spool and take-up lever to the bobbin thread, test stitching and common fixes for beginners.
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10 July 2026
Spool of Thread: How to Choose the Right One for Sewing
Learn what a spool of thread is, how to read labels, choose useful sewing colours, avoid weak old spools, and build a practical thread kit for real projects.
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6 July 2026
Sewing Machine Thread Tension: Simple Fixes That Work
Fix sewing machine thread tension with a calm checklist for loops, puckering, bobbin issues, needle choice, smoother test stitches, and fewer false starts.
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4 July 2026
How to Choose Thread for a Sewing Machine
Learn how to choose sewing machine thread by fabric, weight, colour, needle size, bobbin use, and project type without overthinking it.
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28 June 2026
How to Build a Useful 10-Spool Thread Box
A practical guide to choosing the 10 sewing thread colours that belong in a custom thread box, from neutrals to project shades.
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17 June 2026
Polyester vs Cotton Thread: Which Should You Choose?
A practical comparison of polyester thread and cotton thread, including when to use each and when a speciality thread may be better.
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17 June 2026
Choosing the Right Thread for Your Project
A practical guide to choosing sewing thread by project type, colour, thread weight, fabric and sewing machine use.
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17 June 2026
Thread Weights Explained: What 40/2 Polyester Really Means
A clear guide to 40/2 polyester sewing thread, thread weight, ply, spool yardage and choosing thread for everyday sewing.
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17 June 2026
How to Match Thread Colour to Your Fabric
A practical guide to matching sewing thread to fabric, including solids, prints, natural light checks, darker shade rules, and fabric photo matching.
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