Sewing Threads & Barbobs

Upholstery Sewing Threads and Pre-Wound Bobbins

Shop upholstery sewing threads and pre-wound bobbins for furniture covers, piped cushions, soft furnishings, mattresses, bedding and suitable automotive upholstery. Livedale supplies bonded nylon, polycotton corespun, spun-polyester overlocking and nylon monofilament threads, together with Type G and Type L pre-wound bobbins.

These products are intended principally for machine sewing.

For traditional hand stitching, spring work, buttoning, slipping and other heavier upholstery tasks, browse our upholstery twines rather than choosing a machine-sewing thread simply because it is wound on a large cone.

The correct thread depends on:

• Sewing-machine type
• Needle system and size
• Covering material
• Number of material layers
• Seam construction
• Stitch length
• Required colour
• Whether the thread is used above or below
• Indoor, automotive or specialist application
• Whether the operation is construction sewing or overlocking

No single thread is suitable for every upholstery fabric, vinyl, leather and sewing machine. Test the complete combination of thread, needle, material, bobbin and machine settings before producing a finished cover.

Shop Upholstery Sewing Threads by Construction

The range contains four principal thread constructions:

• Bonded nylon upholstery thread
• Polycotton corespun sewing thread
• Spun-polyester overlocking thread
• Nylon monofilament thread

It also includes Type G and Type L pre-wound bobbins in several practical upholstery colours.

There are no further child categories beneath this page, so the sections below explain the direct products and their most appropriate uses.

Somabond Bonded Nylon Upholstery Thread

Somabond 40’s bonded nylon sewing thread is supplied on a 3,200-metre cone and is available in an extensive range of colour references.

Bonded nylon is commonly selected where a strong, abrasion-resistant construction thread is required.

Potential applications include:

• Furniture upholstery
• Sofa and chair covers
• Seat and back cushions
• Piped cushion seams
• Mattress borders
• Bedding manufacture
• Automotive seat covers
• Campervan cushions
• Suitable vinyl and faux-leather covers
• Heavy woven upholstery fabrics
• Visible topstitching where appropriate

The bonding treatment helps keep the thread filaments together as they pass through the sewing-machine guides, tension discs, needle and material.

This can make bonded nylon suitable for repeated industrial sewing, but the thread must still be matched to the sewing machine and needle.

A strong thread does not compensate for:

• Insufficient seam allowance
• A damaged needle
• Incorrect tension
• Excessively short stitches
• Weak or degraded fabric
• Poor seam alignment
• An unsuitable bobbin
• A sewing machine not designed for the thread size

Test the thread through the thickest part of the intended cover, including piping, folded seam allowances and adjoining panels.

Choosing Somabond Thread Colour

Somabond is sold using manufacturer colour references rather than simple colour names.

Where the thread will remain hidden inside a seam, an approximate tonal match may be sufficient.

Where it will be visible as topstitching, compare a physical thread sample with the upholstery material.

Screen colours cannot reliably show:

• Exact shade
• Surface sheen
• Thread thickness
• Contrast once sewn
• How the thread sits within the material

Consider whether the thread should:

• Blend with the main covering
• Match the piping
• Match an existing repair
• Contrast deliberately
• Coordinate with decorative stitching
• Remain inconspicuous on a patterned fabric

Contrast stitching draws attention to every change in stitch length and direction. It is handsome when sewn accurately and a very efficient written record of every wobble when it is not.

M36 Polycotton Corespun Sewing Thread

M36 polycotton corespun sewing thread is supplied on a 4,000-metre cone in a broad range of upholstery colours.

Corespun thread combines:

• A continuous polyester filament core
• An outer covering of spun cotton fibres

The polyester core provides strength, while the cotton outer gives the thread a softer surface and helps retain sewing lubricant.

The cotton outer can also provide some protection from heat generated around the sewing-machine needle during sustained sewing.

M36 may be considered for:

• Furniture upholstery
• Cushion covers
• Soft furnishings
• Mattress manufacture
• Bedding
• Natural and blended upholstery fabrics
• General industrial sewing
• Seams where a softer-looking thread is preferred

Corespun and bonded nylon threads should not be selected solely by apparent thickness or cone length.

Their construction, appearance and behaviour through the machine differ.

Make a sample seam using:

• The actual upholstery material
• The intended seam allowance
• The selected needle
• The intended bobbin thread
• Any piping or folded layers
• The planned stitch length

Inspect both sides of the sample and pull the seam in the direction it will be loaded during use.

Bonded Nylon or Polycotton Corespun?

Choose bonded nylon where the project requires a strong synthetic construction thread and the machine, needle and material are suitable.

Choose polycotton corespun where a strong thread with a softer cotton-covered surface is preferred.

Consider:

• Upholstery material
• Required appearance
• Sewing speed
• Needle heat
• Seam load
• Cleaning conditions
• Exposure to moisture
• Whether the stitching is visible
• Existing production specification

Neither thread should be described as universally better.

A thread that performs perfectly on a woven sofa fabric may require different machine settings—or prove unsuitable—on vinyl, leather-look material or a heavily coated automotive fabric.

Spun-Polyester Overlocking Thread

120’s spun-polyester thread is supplied on a 5,000-yard cone.

It is available:

• Individually
• In boxes of ten cones
• In a selection of practical colours

This product is specifically described as overlocking thread.

Its principal use is to secure and neaten suitable raw fabric edges before or during cover construction.

Potential applications include:

• Overlocking upholstery panels
• Neatening cushion-cover seams
• Reducing fraying on woven fabrics
• Preparing soft-furnishing panels
• Overlocking loose-cover components
• Suitable domestic or industrial overlocking

Overlocking and structural sewing perform different jobs.

The overlocked edge helps control the cut fabric. The main construction seam joins the panels and carries the load.

Do not automatically substitute this 120’s spun-polyester product for bonded nylon or corespun thread in a heavily loaded upholstery seam.

Overlocking Upholstery Panels

Cut the fabric panels accurately before overlocking.

Guide the raw edge consistently through the machine and avoid trimming away excessive seam allowance.

After overlocking, check that:

• The edge remains flat
• The thread has not pulled the fabric into gathers
• The loops cover the cut edge
• The fabric has not stretched
• The planned seam allowance remains
• The overlocking thread colour is appropriate
• The stitch does not unravel at the ends

Overlocking is particularly useful on woven upholstery fabrics that fray readily during handling.

It may be unnecessary or unsuitable for materials such as some vinyls, leather and non-woven coverings.

Nylon Monofilament Sewing Thread

The category contains:

• 320 natural nylon monofilament
• 500 natural nylon monofilament

Monofilament is formed from one continuous nylon filament rather than several spun or twisted plies.

Its natural or translucent appearance can make it comparatively unobtrusive across different fabric colours.

Potential uses include compatible:

• Upholstery
• Soft furnishings
• Decorative attachment work
• Concealed stitching
• Multi-coloured fabrics
• Work where repeated colour changes are impractical

Monofilament behaves differently from conventional bonded or spun thread.

It may be:

• Firmer
• More springy
• Less compressible
• More visible on dark materials than expected
• More sensitive to tension settings
• More noticeable where stitch length is long
• Prone to retaining the shape in which it was wound

Test it on the actual fabric before use.

Do not describe natural monofilament as invisible. Light can catch its surface, and the stitching may remain noticeable depending on the fabric colour, sheen and stitch construction.

Choosing Between 320 and 500 Monofilament

The live product pages currently do not explain:

• What the 320 and 500 references mean
• Thread diameter
• Breaking strength
• Cone or reel length
• Recommended needle size
• Recommended applications
• Suitable sewing-machine type

Those specifications should be confirmed before customers are advised which product is heavier or finer.

Until that information is available, customers should match the product to an existing specification or obtain technical guidance rather than assuming the higher number necessarily means a stronger or thicker thread.

Pre-Wound Bobbins and Barbobs

Pre-wound bobbins provide a ready-filled lower-thread supply for compatible sewing machines.

They can reduce time spent winding bobbins and may provide greater consistency across repeated production sewing.

The Livedale range currently contains:

• Type G pre-wound bobbins
• Type L pre-wound bobbins

Both types are offered in:

• Beige
• Black
• Brown
• White

Each product is supplied in a box of 50.

The products may also be described as Barbobs, an established trade term for pre-wound bobbins.

Type G Pre-Wound Bobbins

Type G bobbins must be used only with sewing machines and bobbin cases designed for that format.

The live range includes:

• Beige Type G
• Black Type G
• Brown Type G
• White Type G

Before ordering, check:

• Sewing-machine make and model
• Bobbin-case type
• Existing bobbin dimensions
• Type G compatibility
• Thread colour
• Required box quantity
• Whether a sided or coreless construction is required
• Compatibility with the upper thread

Do not choose Type G because it looks similar to the bobbin already in the machine.

Small differences in diameter, width or core construction can affect:

• Bobbin rotation
• Thread delivery
• Tension
• Stitch balance
• Bobbin-case closure
• Machine timing
• Available lower-thread capacity

Type L Pre-Wound Bobbins

Type L is a different bobbin format and should not be treated as interchangeable with Type G.

The current range includes:

• Beige Type L
• Black Type L
• Brown Type L
• White Type L

Check the sewing-machine manual, bobbin case or original bobbin before ordering.

Where the machine documentation identifies a specific bobbin class, retain that information within the workroom.

A box labelled only “the little black ones for the old machine” tends to become less useful immediately after the person who wrote it goes on holiday.

Type G or Type L?

The correct type is determined by the sewing machine—not by the colour, price or quantity required.

Before selecting one, compare:

• Overall diameter
• Overall width
• Centre or core construction
• Bobbin-case dimensions
• Machine specification
• Existing successful bobbin
• Thread delivery direction

Do not force an incorrect bobbin into the case.

An incompatible pre-wound bobbin can cause poor stitching, jamming or damage within the bobbin area.

The individual product pages should provide precise dimensions for both formats so customers can verify compatibility before ordering.

Matching Upper and Bobbin Thread

The upper and lower threads work together to form the machine stitch.

They do not always need to be identical, but their sizes and behaviour must be compatible.

Consider:

• Upper-thread construction
• Bobbin-thread construction
• Relative thickness
• Colour
• Needle size
• Material thickness
• Machine tension
• Stitch appearance on both faces
• Seam load

A pale bobbin thread can become visible on a dark fabric where the stitch balance is incorrect.

Likewise, a dark lower thread may show through a pale or open-weave covering.

Test the seam from both sides.

Where the underside remains concealed, an exact colour match may be unnecessary, but the two threads must still sew together correctly.

Choosing Thread for Upholstery Fabric and Vinyl

Browse upholstery vinyl and fabric for furniture and contract covering materials.

The covering material should be selected before the thread.

Consider:

• Fabric weight
• Weave
• Backing
• Stretch
• Surface coating
• Required cleaning
• Number of seam layers
• Whether piping is included
• Whether the stitching will be visible
• Whether the material retains permanent needle holes

Woven upholstery fabrics may behave differently from vinyl, faux leather and coated contract fabrics.

On vinyl and similar non-woven coverings, an unnecessarily short stitch length can create a perforated line that weakens the material.

Repeatedly unpicking and resewing the same seam can leave permanent holes.

Make a test seam before cutting and sewing the finished panels.

Automotive Upholstery

For vehicle seat covers, campervan cushions and suitable trim work, browse automotive and headlining fabrics.

Bonded nylon may be considered for suitable automotive upholstery, but the precise thread, needle and stitch specification should reflect:

• Seat-cover material
• Foam backing
• Reinforcement layers
• Seam position
• Vehicle temperature
• Abrasion
• Existing manufacturer construction
• Any safety-related seat components

This category does not include specialist automotive sewing-machine needles, so a generic hand-needle link should not be inserted and presented as though it solves machine compatibility.

Use the needle system specified for the sewing machine and application.

Sewing Piped Cushion Covers

Browse upholstery piping cords when constructing piped seat, back or scatter cushions.

A piped seam may contain:

• Main cushion panel
• Fabric-covered piping cord
• Border panel
• Several seam allowances
• Reinforcement at joins
• Zip-panel layers

Test the thread and needle through the thickest point.

The machine may sew two flat layers correctly and then struggle where a piping join, border seam and zip end meet.

Use the intended construction thread for the structural piping seam.

Do not rely on lightweight overlocking thread to carry the complete piped seam.

Piping Thread Colour

The construction stitching is usually concealed, but it may become visible where:

• The sewing line sits too far from the piping cord
• The seam is pulled open
• The covering material stretches
• The piping turns around a tight corner
• The original stitch line is not followed during final assembly

Use a sensible thread colour and sew close enough to the piping cord to produce a clean finish without sewing through it.

Sewing Removable Cushion Covers

Browse upholstery zipping supplies for continuous zip chain, sliders and related cushion-cover components.

The thread must cope with the additional layers created around:

• Zip panels
• Zip ends
• Piping
• Cushion borders
• Reinforcement fabric
• Seam intersections

Plan the zip and piping positions so the greatest bulk is not concentrated at one point.

For a complete removable cushion project, the relevant product journey is:

• Foam cut to size
• Polyester wadding
• Upholstery fabric or vinyl
• Piping cord
• Upholstery sewing thread
• Zip chain and sliders
• Upholstery shears and snips
• Measuring and marking tools

These links follow the actual cushion-making process rather than sending customers into unrelated workroom categories.

Sewing Hook-and-Loop Fastenings

Browse hook-and-loop tape where removable cushions, panels or furniture covers need a reusable fastening.

Sew-on hook-and-loop tape can add several dense layers beneath the presser foot.

Check:

• Thread strength
• Needle size
• Tape width
• Fabric backing
• Stitch position
• Hook direction
• Number of reinforcing rows

Sew around the woven edge rather than directly through the active hook surface where possible.

Self-adhesive tape does not normally require sewing and should not be passed through a machine needle unless the product and method specifically permit it. Adhesive residue can transfer to the needle and interfere with stitch formation.

Cutting and Preparing Upholstery Panels

Use upholstery shears and snips to cut covering materials and trim sewing thread cleanly.

Use measuring and marking tools and suitable upholstery chalks and wax markers to mark:

• Panel outlines
• Seam allowances
• Notches
• Piping positions
• Zip openings
• Pattern-matching points
• Centre lines
• Left- and right-hand components

Accurate cutting reduces the amount of correction the sewing thread is later expected to perform.

Thread can join two correctly prepared panels. It cannot persuade two differently sized panels that they were meant for one another.

Matching Thread to the Needle

The needle eye must allow the thread to pass without excessive friction.

A needle that is too small can cause:

• Thread shredding
• Breakage
• Skipped stitches
• Heat build-up
• Poor tension
• Needle deflection

A needle that is too large can cause:

• Visible holes
• Material damage
• Poor stitch appearance
• Excessive perforation
• Reduced seam strength in vinyl

Check:

• Sewing-machine needle system
• Needle size
• Point type
• Thread construction
• Fabric or vinyl type
• Number of material layers
• Piping and seam bulk

Do not choose a needle solely because it physically fits into the machine.

The point and size must also suit the material and thread.

Setting Sewing-Machine Tension

Test the machine using the actual upper thread, bobbin, needle and upholstery layers.

A balanced stitch should normally lock within the seam rather than pulling predominantly to one surface.

If loops appear underneath the work, first check:

• Correct upper threading
• Presser foot position during threading
• Thread seated in tension discs
• Take-up lever
• Needle orientation
• Needle condition
• Bobbin installation

If the bobbin thread is pulled visibly onto the upper surface, check:

• Bobbin tension
• Bobbin type
• Bobbin insertion
• Upper tension
• Thread-size compatibility
• Dirt within the bobbin case

Do not immediately turn every tension control available.

Incorrect threading and incompatible components are often mistaken for a tension-setting problem.

Change one setting at a time and sew another sample.

Choosing Stitch Length

The correct stitch length depends on:

• Material
• Thread size
• Seam type
• Curve
• Expected load
• Visible appearance
• Whether the covering retains needle holes

Very short stitches place more holes into the fabric or vinyl.

Very long stitches may fail to control tight curves and can leave an open-looking seam.

For visible topstitching, test the length and appearance before sewing the finished furniture cover.

Maintain a consistent stitch length across adjoining panels.

Thread Breakage and Sewing Problems

Repeated upper-thread breakage may be caused by:

• Incorrect needle size
• Damaged needle
• Needle installed incorrectly
• Excessive tension
• Rough thread guide
• Thread catching on the cone
• Incorrect machine threading
• Needle heat
• Poor-quality or damaged thread
• Excessive sewing speed
• Unsuitable thread for the material

Bobbin-thread problems may be caused by:

• Wrong bobbin type
• Bobbin inserted in the wrong direction
• Damaged bobbin
• Incorrect bobbin tension
• Debris in the bobbin case
• Incompatible upper and lower thread
• Uneven pre-wound bobbin fit

Skipped stitches may indicate:

• Bent or blunt needle
• Wrong needle system
• Incorrect point
• Needle too small for the thread
• Material lifting with the needle
• Excessive seam thickness
• Machine timing problems

Correct the cause rather than repeatedly tightening the thread until something more expensive fails.

Storing Upholstery Thread and Bobbins

Store thread in a clean, dry workroom away from:

• Direct sunlight
• Damp
• Excessive heat
• Adhesive overspray
• Oil
• Dust
• Foam particles
• Loose fibres

Keep cones upright or in suitable holders so the thread is not crushed or tangled.

Retain the product label or record:

• Thread type
• Thread size
• Colour reference
• Supplier
• Cone length
• Intended machine
• Intended application
• Date purchased

Keep Type G and Type L bobbins in separate, clearly labelled containers.

Do not mix loose pre-wound bobbins in one box and expect their dimensions to become self-evident later.

Machine Sewing Thread or Upholstery Twine?

This category is for machine-sewing thread and pre-wound bobbins.

Choose the sibling Upholstery Twines category for products intended for suitable:

• Hand stitching
• Traditional edge stitching
• Spring stitching
• Blind stitching
• Buttoning
• Slipping or hand-closing seams
• Heavier traditional upholstery work

Return to the parent Sewing Threads & Twines category where the customer first needs to decide between machine sewing and specialist hand-upholstery work.

Tools and Associated Products

The products genuinely associated with this category are:

Upholstery Fabric and Vinyl

Browse upholstery vinyl and fabric for the covering materials joined by the sewing thread.

Automotive Upholstery Fabric

Browse automotive and headlining fabrics for suitable vehicle-seat, campervan and trimming materials.

Piping Cord

Browse upholstery piping cords for piped cushion and furniture seams.

Zipping Supplies

Browse upholstery zipping for removable cushion and furniture covers.

Hook-and-Loop Tape

Browse hook-and-loop tape for removable cushions and upholstered panels.

Upholstery Shears and Snips

Browse shears and snips for cutting fabric and trimming thread.

Measuring and Marking Tools

Browse measuring and marking tools for cutting and preparing accurate cover panels.

Foam and Cushion Wrap

Browse foam cut to size and polyester wadding where the thread is being purchased as part of a complete cushion-cover project.

Machine hand needles, furniture brackets, adhesives, fire labels and unrelated workroom materials have deliberately not been inserted merely to increase the internal-link count.

Trade Upholstery Sewing Threads and Bobbins

Livedale supplies bonded nylon, corespun, overlocking and monofilament sewing threads to professional upholsterers, furniture manufacturers, mattress makers, automotive trimmers, cushion makers and soft-furnishing workrooms throughout the UK.

Pre-wound Type G and Type L bobbins are available in boxes of 50 for compatible industrial sewing machines.

Approved trade customers can access preferential trade pricing across eligible products after registering for a trade account.

Select thread according to the sewing machine, needle, material and seam construction. Select the bobbin according to the exact machine and bobbin-case format rather than appearance alone.