PSA: I heard someone call hand stitching a 'waste of time' at the craft fair.

They said a machine can do it faster and just as strong. But my great aunt's 1905 prayer book, stitched with linen thread, is still solid while the glued spine on my newer one split after ten years. Does anyone have a favorite thread type for long term projects?

2 comments

2 Comments

matthew70320d ago

Ugh, that mindset is everywhere now. It's not just about crafts. People see fast and cheap as the only things that matter. They forget that taking your time makes things that last. Your prayer book proves it. For long term stuff, I've had good luck with silk thread. It's strong and lays flat.

the_phoenix19d ago

My grandpa's leather work gloves from the 1950s are still in one piece, sewn by hand. The palm is worn smooth but every stitch is tight. I tried fixing a modern pair with my sewing machine and the thread just snapped at the stress points. Hand stitching lets you feel the tension, you can make it right for the material. That cheap, fast mindset misses the whole point of making something to keep.