Description
120’s Spun Polyester Overlocking Thread – 5000 Yard Cone
120’s Spun Polyester is a machine-sewing thread specifically intended for overlocking suitable fabric edges.
Supplied on a 5,000 yard cone, it is a practical choice for professional upholstery, cushion manufacture, soft furnishings and other sewing work where cut fabric edges need to be neatened and controlled before or during construction.
The thread is available in a broad range of colours and can be purchased individually or in boxes of 10 cones.
Browse the complete Sewing Threads & Barbobs range for professional machine threads and pre-wound bobbins.
Overlocking Upholstery Fabric Edges
Cut woven upholstery fabric can begin to fray while panels are being handled, fitted and sewn.
Overlocking encloses the raw edge with thread, helping control loose fibres and provide a neater edge before the panels are assembled into the finished cover.
Typical applications include:
- Upholstery panels
- Cushion covers
- Sofa and chair covers
- Loose covers
- Soft furnishings
- Mattress and bedding components
- Woven fabric edges
- General overlocking work
For upholstery covering materials, browse Livedale’s Vinyl & Fabric range.
Overlocking & Main Construction Seams
Overlocking and structural sewing perform different jobs.
The overlocked edge helps control the cut edge of the fabric, while the main construction seam joins the upholstery panels and carries the working load.
For stronger furniture and cushion construction seams, consider Somabond 40’s Bonded Nylon Sewing Thread.
For an alternative construction thread, M36 PolyCotton Corespun Sewing Thread combines a strong polyester core with a cotton outer surface.
Do not automatically substitute 120’s spun-polyester overlocking thread for these stronger construction threads where the seam itself needs to withstand significant upholstery loads.
Overlocking Cushion & Furniture Panels
Overlocking can be particularly useful when preparing cut panels before they are made into a cushion or furniture cover.
After cutting the fabric accurately, guide the raw edge consistently through the overlocker while retaining the required seam allowance for final construction.
A correctly adjusted overlocked edge should:
- Remain reasonably flat
- Cover the cut fabric edge
- Avoid unnecessary gathering
- Avoid stretching the panel
- Retain the planned seam allowance
- Remain secure at the start and finish
For piped cushions and furniture borders, browse Piping Cords.
For removable cushion covers and access panels, explore the Zipping range.
When Is Overlocking Most Useful?
Overlocking is particularly valuable on woven upholstery fabrics that are prone to fraying after cutting.
It can help keep individual panels tidy while they are being handled and sewn and reduce loose fibres around the workroom.
It may be unnecessary or unsuitable for some materials that do not fray in the same way, including certain:
- Vinyls
- Leather-look coverings
- Non-woven materials
- Coated fabrics
The material itself should determine whether overlocking is beneficial.
Test an offcut first where there is any doubt.
Choosing an Overlocking Thread Colour
120’s Spun Polyester is available in 24 practical colours, including neutrals, browns, blues, greens, reds and brighter shades.
For concealed internal edges, an exact colour match may not always be necessary.
Where the overlocking could be visible through an open seam, zip opening or removable cover, choose a colour that blends more closely with the main material.
The available colours include:
- Beige
- Black
- Blue
- Brown
- Cream
- Dark Blue
- Dark Green
- Dark Grey
- Dark Red
- Green
- Khaki
- Lavender
- Light Blue
- Light Brown
- Light Grey
- Natural
- Orange
- Pink
- Purple
- Red
- Tan
- Turquoise
- White
- Yellow
For larger production runs, the thread is also available in boxes of 10 cones.
Overlocking Piped & Zipped Cushion Covers
A professionally made cushion cover may combine overlocked raw edges with separate structural stitching around piping, borders and zip panels.
For example, a typical cushion-making workflow may involve:
- Cutting the fabric panels
- Overlocking suitable raw edges
- Sewing Piping Cord into the border
- Adding components from the Zipping range
- Joining the panels with a suitable construction thread
Using the correct thread for each operation can produce a cleaner and more durable finished cover than expecting one thread to perform every sewing task.
Machine Setup for Overlocking
Thread performance depends on the overlocker, needle system, machine settings and material being sewn.
Before production work, test the complete setup on an offcut of the actual material.
Check that:
- The loops cover the raw edge correctly
- The fabric remains flat
- The edge is not pulled into gathers
- The material is not excessively stretched
- Thread tension is balanced
- The planned seam allowance remains intact
- The stitch remains secure
Different upholstery fabrics may require adjustments to tension, stitch length or other machine settings.
Sewing Machine & Overlocker Maintenance
Lint and loose fibres can accumulate rapidly when overlocking woven upholstery fabrics.
Regular cleaning helps prevent waste fibres building up around accessible machine mechanisms.
Where lubrication is specified by the machine manufacturer, use 125ml Sewing Machine Oil sparingly at the recommended lubrication points.
Always keep oil away from thread cones and finished upholstery fabric, and test the machine on waste material after lubrication.
Sewing Threads & Twines from Livedale
Livedale supplies machine-sewing products for professional upholsterers, furniture manufacturers, cushion makers, mattress producers and soft-furnishing workrooms.
Browse Sewing Threads & Barbobs for spun-polyester overlocking thread, bonded nylon, polycotton corespun thread, monofilament and pre-wound Barbobs.
For traditional hand stitching, buttoning, spring work and other specialist upholstery applications, explore Upholstery Twines.
Return to the complete Sewing Threads & Twines range for professional upholstery sewing products.
120’s Spun Polyester Overlocking Thread is supplied on a 5,000 yard cone and is available individually or in boxes of 10 cones.
