Eva Lea Klein is a longtime south Florida resident with an extensive retail management background. Eva Lea Klein also has experience as a tailor and most recently engaged with Banana Republic in Boca Raton in the alteration and creation of garments.
One of the key considerations in any sewing project is the quality of the thread. Cotton thread is generated by twisting the fibers of the cotton boll, with extra-long fibers adding strength and durability.
A key advantage of cotton is that the natural fibers grab the fabric firmly and create a tight seam. Disadvantages include the expense of quality thread and the difficulty of telling the difference between high- and low-quality threads. In addition, non-optimal fiber length and processing can create a great deal of lint.
Cotton threads are typically mercerized, which involves immersing them in a caustic solution. This results in the fiber swelling and enables luster-enhancing dye to permeate the fibers more fully. Another common process is gassing, or cotton polishing, which involves passing the thread at high speed through a flame. This effectively burns off the longest pieces of lint and results in a finished low-lint product.
