Lewiston, Maine, USA-based thread supplier
Tapers
- “Teklon Hand Sewing Thread”
- as of 2024-10-28:
- Maine Thread offers tapers in lengths longer than 72 inches, but doesn’t stock those longer lengths for sale on its own website
- order minimum: 5 gross
Twisted
https://mainethread.com/collections/twisted-waxed-cord
- right/S twist
- waxed
- 70 yards per tube
| Ply | Thickness | Thickness | Break Strength | Yards Per Pound | C.S. Osborne Harness Needle |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | .020″ | 0.51mm | 14 lbs | 2,480 | 517-3 |
| 2 | .030″ | 0.76mm | 30 lbs | 1,340 | 517-2 |
| 3 | .035″ | 0.89mm | 43 lbs | 955 | 517-1 |
| 4 | .040″ | 1.02mm | 49 lbs | 670 | 517-0 |
| 5 | .045″ | 1.14mm | 64 lbs | 525 | 517-00 |
| 6 | .050″ | 1.27mm | 78 lbs | 425 | 517-00 |
Braided
https://mainethread.com/collections/braided-waxed-cord/
| Thickness | Thickness | Break Strength | Harness Needle |
|---|---|---|---|
| .020" | 0.51mm | 32 lbs | Size 3 |
| .030" | 0.76mm | 40 lbs | Size 1 |
| .040" | 1.02mm | 68 lbs | Size 0 |
Spools of Cord
As of January, 2025, Maine Thread also offer pound spools of waxed and unwaxed cord.
Some makers prefer this thread for inseaming, since it can be coated directly with hand wax. However, the ends of cut lengths have to be tapered to fine taws by hand. Users report that sandpaper helps to make the taws finer.
As of 2025, threads available were 4-3, 6-4, 8-5, 9-6, and 11-7. The first numbers, before the dashes, represent the thickness in equivalent plies of linen. The second numbers represent the number of plies of poly. So “11-7” has seven strands of poly fiber twisted together, for a total thickness equivalent to 11 cords of linen.