Top Brands for Sewing Machine Thread: A Seamstress's Guide

When it comes to achieving professional results in sewing, using a high-quality thread is just as crucial as having a reliable sewing machine. The market is brimming with a variety of thread brands, each claiming to offer superior strength, smoothness, and colorfastness. From well-established names like Gutermann and Coats & Clark to specialty brands such as Aurifil, choosing the right thread can make a significant difference in your stitching projects. Our comprehensive guide below will introduce you to the best brands for sewing machine thread, helping you make an informed choice for your next creation.

Illustration of thread for sewing machine

Best brands of thread for sewing machine in 2025

Gutermann

Gutermann is a leading brand in the sewing thread industry, renowned for its high-quality and innovative products. With a global presence, Gutermann manufactures threads in 22 countries, distributes to 50 countries, and sells in over 100 countries, catering to a diverse range of sewing needs. The company is particularly strong in the premium segment, which accounts for about two-thirds of the global $7 billion sewing thread market. Gutermann's threads, such as the Mara 100, are known for their satin-smooth finish and consistency, making them a favorite among professionals and sewing enthusiasts alike. The brand is also committed to sustainability, aiming to include at least 50% recycled polyester content in their products by 2025.

Coats & Clark

Coats & Clark, a subsidiary of Coats plc, is renowned as one of the world's leading producers of sewing threads, holding a significant 22 percent market share. The company manufactures enough thread annually to produce 8 billion pairs of jeans, and its threads are used in a wide range of products, including apparel, footwear, furniture, and car airbags. Coats & Clark's threads are known for their high quality and durability, with some threads capable of withstanding temperatures as high as 1,000 degrees Celsius. The company operates over 40 industrial thread labs globally, ensuring precise color matching and efficient production. With a history dating back to 1879, when Thomas Edison used Coats' thread in his light bulb experiments, Coats & Clark continues to innovate and thrive in the sewing thread industry. Learn more about their thread consumption guide.

Mettler

Mettler, a renowned brand in the sewing industry, is highly recommended by sewing machine manufacturer BERNINA, with every new BERNINA machine coming with a Mettler thread set. This long-term strategic collaboration between Mettler and BERNINA highlights the quality and reliability of Mettler threads. Mettler threads are available in various weights, including 28, 40, 50, and 60 weights, each with specific strengths and elongation properties, such as the 50-weight thread having an average strength of 2.4 Lbs. and a 4% elongation at break. Mettler threads are made from high-quality materials, including 100% long staple Egyptian cotton fibers, and are suitable for various sewing applications, including embroidery, quilting, and overlocking. The threads are also available in a wide range of colors and spool sizes. For more detailed information, visit the Mettler thread information page.

Aurifil

Aurifil is renowned as one of the best producers of thread for sewing machines, utilizing 100% Egyptian Cotton from the MAKO region, known for its long staple fibers which ensure high quality and strength. Their threads are available in various weights, including 12wt, 28wt, 40wt, 50wt, and 80wt, with a wide range of 270 colors for most weights. The threads are manufactured in Milan, Italy, and undergo a 15-step process to ensure optimal performance. Aurifil threads are praised for their minimal lint production and smooth gliding through machines, thanks to a treatment with transparent paraffin oil. They are a favorite among quilters, sewists, and textile artists for their versatility and lustrous colors. For more information, visit Aurifil's thread FAQ page.

Superior Threads

Superior Threads is renowned as one of the top producers of high-quality threads for sewing machines, offering a range of products such as the Bottom Line polyester thread, which is ideal for applique, bobbin thread, and quilting, and is available in 55 colors. Their metallic threads are particularly praised for their strength and durability, featuring an extra strong nylon core, a layer of rice paper pasting, and a protective polyester shell to reduce friction and prevent breaks. These threads are designed to work seamlessly with both home and longarm machines, ensuring a smooth sewing experience. The attention to detail in their manufacturing process, such as using the finest raw materials and special processing techniques, sets Superior Threads apart in the market. With a focus on quality and customer satisfaction, Superior Threads continues to be a preferred choice among sewing enthusiasts. To explore more about their exceptional products, visit the Superior Threads website.

Sulky

Sulky is renowned as one of the best producers of thread for sewing machines, particularly known for its high-quality 40 Wt. Rayon threads made exclusively from ENKA fibers, which ensure excellent runability, minimal breakage, and a glossy, natural appearance. These threads are favored by machine embroiderers due to their strength, even dyeing, and superior optical refraction. A single 1,500-yard spool of Sulky 40 Wt. Rayon thread can create up to 273,000 stitches, making it a reliable choice for large projects. The threads' consistent tensile strength and low fibril breakage contribute to their durability and performance, even on high-speed embroidery machines. Sulky threads are digitized for the vast majority of embroidery designs, reflecting their industry-wide acceptance. For more details, visit their website to explore the Sulky 40 Wt. Rayon thread true green 1500 yd spool.

Madeira

Madeira is renowned as one of the best producers of threads for sewing machines, known for its premium quality and stringent quality assurance processes. The company's threads are REACH-compliant and certified according to STANDARD 100 by OEKO-TEX®, ensuring maximum safety and environmental compliance. Madeira's production is ISO 9001 certified, guaranteeing consistent high quality and efficient processes. Their threads are optimized for industrial embroidery machines, capable of operating at up to 1,200 stitches per minute, and are available in a wide range of colors and types, including viscose, polyester, and metallic threads.

Isacord

Isacord is a premier brand for embroidery thread, renowned for its high productivity and superior quality, making it the choice of the largest embroidery houses. With a strength nearly twice that of rayon thread, Isacord Thread is exceptionally durable and reliable, engineered from the finest raw materials to ensure smooth running and minimal thread breaks. It is available in over 100 color options and comes in 1000 and 5000 meter spools, making it ideal for high-speed machine quilting and embroidery. Isacord Thread has been a favorite among machine quilters for over a decade due to its resistance to aging and affordability. Its 40 weight polyester construction ensures it is thin yet strong, making it perfect for machine quilting, embroidery, and applique. For more information, visit the Isacord Thread product page.

YLI

YLI Threads is renowned as one of the top producers of high-quality threads for sewing machines, offering a wide range of products including cotton, polyester, and specialty threads. Their threads, such as those made from long staple cotton, are highly regarded for their durability and smooth stitching. YLI Threads are used in various applications, including quilting, embroidery, and general sewing, with products like their 3-ply polyester thread available in 64 blending tones on 3,000-yard cones. The company's commitment to quality has made it a significant player in the global thread market, with its products favored by both hobbyists and industrial users. YLI Threads continues to innovate and expand its product portfolio to meet the evolving needs of the sewing industry.

Robison-Anton

Robison-Anton is renowned as one of the best producers of thread for sewing machines, offering superior quality through its ultra-luster rayon filament. This material ensures a beautiful sheen and significantly reduces thread breaks, providing smooth and uninterrupted sewing. Their Super Strength Rayon embroidery thread is a 40-weight twisted thread available in over 370 brilliant colors, ideal for high-luster and silky, smooth embroidery applications. Each Mini-King spool contains 1100 yards of thread, making it versatile for various embroidery needs. With excellent sewability and washability, Robison-Anton threads are a top choice for both home and commercial embroidery. For more information, visit their Rayon thread collection.