Strong Sewing Thread for Slipcovers

Stitch slipcover seams with thread that is strong and compatible with your sewing machine and serger. Here are my favorite threads for making washable, natural fiber slipcovers.

When I started making slipcovers 30 years ago, I was so proud of myself when I finished my very first one. But I soon learned that the thread I’d used was not strong enough, and it didn’t hold up well.

The seams ripped in random places after only a few months! I discovered I had mistakenly used lightweight serger thread to sew the seams instead of a more robust all-purpose sewing thread.

Well, I never made that mistake again! Now I use strong thread in the right size for my slipcover projects and my machines. Here’s what works best:

Wawak Perform-X Sewing Thread

Wawak Perform-X is a poly wrapped, poly core sewing thread size TEX 40. It’s comes on a large, 6,000 yard cone and is available in many colors.

I use this thread on my Juki industrial straight stitch machine.

It also will work with your home sewing machine if you have a thread stand that can accommodate large cones. Want to make your own stand? This Notches Sewing video teaches a few quick and clever DIY methods.

This polyester thread is very strong but not too thick and works best with needle sizes 70/10 to 100/16. It performs great on a wide range of home decor fabric in weights 8 to 16 oz.

It’s perfect for stitching slipcovers seams and topstitching because it’s tough, has a matt finish, and is slightly flexible to minimize breakage.

Gutermann Sewing Thread

Gutermann sewing thread is 100% polyester used for many types of home sewing projects: pillows, curtains, clothing, crafts, light duty slipcovers, etc.

There are two types of Gutermann thread I use on my home sewing machine for making light to medium weight slipcovers:

• All-Purpose TEX 30 — I use this for stitching seams and topstitching. Needle size 80/12.
• Mara TEX 40 — I use this for topstitch only when I want a thicker looking stitch. I use needle size 80/12 or 90/12 depending on fabric type and how many layers I have to stitch through.

I don’t use Mara TEX 40 for stitching seams with my industrial machine. I find it too thick. However, I will use it for topstitching when I can’t find the right color in the Wawak Perform-X line. I use needle size 16 when sewing with my industrial on medium to heavyweight fabric.

Coats & Clark Dual Duty XP

Coats & Clark Dual Duty XP in size TEX 30 is an all-purpose 100% polyester thread that is used for many types of home sewing projects. It’s available on a 250-yard spool in a wide variety of colors.

This sewing thread is considered a strong, medium weight thread and works fine for stitching slipcovers in light to medium-weight fabrics on a home sewing machine. Use needle sizes 70/10, 80/12, or 90/14 depending on your project.

Coats & Clark Dual Duty XP thread is similar in quality to Gutermann All-Purpose TEX 30, but the color selection isn’t as diverse or refined as Gutermann.

Maxi-Lock Overlock Thread

Maxi-Lock is a 100% polyester thread serger thread size TEX 27. It comes on large 3,000 yard cones in a wide range of colors.

This thread is lightweight and is made for most multi-needle serger machines. Even though it’s 100% poly, it’s not an all-purpose sewing thread and should not be used to stitch seams. It’s too lightweight and will break — as I learned when I made my first slipcover!

The TEX 27 size provides optimal strength for overlocking raw seam edges with my Juki industrial 4-needle serger. I use needle size 80/12.

Depending on your type of serger, you might need a different TEX size thread and needle size.