Why I do not Like Silk Threads?

For one Silk threads are very expensive and you can replace them with a less expensive thread made out of lint free cotton or a cottonized polyester 100 wt threads at a fraction of the cost.

Second, silk threads can easily tear your fabric especially if your fabric is light or flimsy. This will happen more frequently if you are using a heavy silk thread.

With silk threads it is better to use a silk fibre which ads to the total cost of your sewing or quilting project. Keep in mind that if you do not match the silk thread with a silk fabric you will end up having to experiment with adjusting your tension which is not always fun to do.

Another minor reason I do not ike silk threads is the smell. Depending on the type of silk thread you buy, some silk threads and fabrics have an earthy smell and some do not. This is hit and miss.

Also from experience silk threads tend to snag in machines very easily and garments made with silk can only be dry cleaned which adds to the cost of maintaining your quilt or garment. Silk threads are not colorfast and will fade over time.

Most silk thread manufacturers will try to convince you otherwise simply because it is in thier best interest to sell you silk threads because it makes them money.

Another important reason I hate silk thread is animal torture. In order to produce silk threads producers must harvest and mass produce silkworms and then exploit these animals (insects) torturing them in the process. The Cocoons are put in boiling water which kills the silkworms.

Next time you fancy using silk threads in your projects remember that it takes 15 tortured and dead silkworms to produce one gram of silk thread.