The Sewing Place

water resistant fabric

annierose

water resistant fabric
« on: March 16, 2019, 16:02:35 PM »
Hello all, I'm looking for advice about sewing thread. Some years ago I made some water-resistant trousers and remember  being advised to use a pure cotton thread that would swell on contact with moisture, so keeping the seams resistant to water. They have been great.

I have been thinking about making a lightweight mac of some kind and it was only a vague idea until, at the Sewing Exhibition I found Worcestershire Resource Exchange. I'm sure some of you found them as well - and I got a length of remaindered Burberry water resistant fabric (5m for £10!).
So I'm going to make Cashmeretee's Chilton coat, and am gathering my notions.
Has anyone else used this fabric - do you think I should track down dome pure cotton, or just use the usual?

Thank you!

toileandtrouble

Re: water resistant fabric
« Reply #1 on: March 16, 2019, 21:47:28 PM »
If it worked so well, I would use it again. Gutermann do a sew-all cotton thread in lots of colours and Barnyarns (amongst others) stock it. Jaycotts have a 30 weight Gutermann cotton,
Yarn down:  1000g
Fabric down:  29m

BrendaP

Re: water resistant fabric
« Reply #2 on: March 16, 2019, 22:53:46 PM »
If you want a cotton thread in a comparable weight to Gutermann SewAll you want size 50 or 50/3.
Size 40 or 30 are for top stitching, buttonholes etc.  Good brands are Gutermann, Superior Threads, Presencia, etc
Brenda.  My machines are: Corona, a 1953 Singer 201K-3, Caroline, a 1940 Singer 201K-3, Thirza, 1949 Singer 221K, Azilia, 1957 Singer 201K-MK2 and Vera, a Husqvarna 350 SewEasy about 20 years old. Also Bernina 1150 overlocker and Elna 444 Coverstitcher.
http://paternoster.orpheusweb.co.

annierose

Re: water resistant fabric
« Reply #3 on: March 18, 2019, 11:39:57 AM »
Thank you both, that's very helpful.

KayK

Re: water resistant fabric
« Reply #4 on: March 18, 2019, 12:40:47 PM »
Just an old fashioned tip that might help with waterproofing - just run a wax candle along the stitches, this will help! 
I have learnt by my mistakes: Sewing machines now are Bernina 720, Bernina 1008, Bernina 801 from 1981, Brother overlocker, ancient but works well