follow that thread

Remember the days when you'd pick up a multi-pack of thread at Rite-Aid or Target? Way back? Before you got serious about sewing?

Back then all you cared about was color, and then maybe not so much if you had to venture outside of black, white, red, or gray.

Things have changed. Nowadays you spring for the good stuff: Madeira, Mettler, Sulky, Gutterman. When you do find yourself using Coats Dual Duty (because, hey, who can resist a sale at Jo-Ann's?), you have suspicions about the lasting quality of the stitches you're sewing. But beyond having heard that the above name brands are good, you still don't know a heckuva lot about sewing thread.

Well, no more. Follow this link to a wealth of knowledge about sewing thread, and never again wonder about all-purpose poly-wrapped cotton vs. silk spun. There's enlightenment about sewing needle types and sizes and an invaluable glossary here too.