There might be an instance at some point that you are in a bind, and you need to sew something, but all you have handy is some fishing line. It might seem like a great choice because fishing line is usually pretty strong and durable.
So, can you sew with a fishing line? Yes you can. While you can use fishing line to sew your backpack or vest if they rip, but it is not the best option for sewing regular fabric. This is because the thread used to sew fabric is generally weaker than the fabric itself. If something happens, the seam will tear and not the fabric.
When fabric has a thread that is stronger than itself, like fishing line, the fabric will tear instead of the seam. This will make it harder to fix the problem than it would if you just had to fix the seam. When it comes to using fishing line, you can sew with it, but it is best not to if you can avoid it.
Can You Use Braided Fishing Line for Sewing?
Braided fishing lines are just as tie-able and flexible as regular thread but is much stronger. It seems to be that the only argument against using fishing line is that the fabric will tear instead of the seam if put under pressure.
While it is possible to sew with braided fishing line, it shouldn’t be a long-term solution. It can get you through in a bind, but you should remove it and replace the stitching with regular thread as soon as you are able to.
One thing that braided fishing line is good for is making curly hems or ruffles. You want to make sure the fishing line is clear, not colored. The colored ones are likely to be softer and not do as good of a job. You will want the fishing line that is between 30 and 40 pounds.
This Fishing Line is perfect because it’s 40 lbs, and clear.
For this type of project, you will also need to choose the right type of material, not just the right fishing line. You want fabric that will stretch a little, with enough give in the fabric to accommodate the girls. The process of creating the curls is pretty easy.
First, you will need to determine the size of the curls you want to create. The fishing line will usually create curl on its own, but you can manipulate the fishing line into curls of different sizes. If you want smaller curls, find a cylinder like a paper towel roll.
Tape the end of the braided fishing line to the paper towel roll and wrap it around really tight. Use as much fishing line as you need and tape the other side when you are finished. Use a blow dryer to heat the fishing line, let it cool, then it will be ready.
You can then add the fishing line to your sewing machine. You are going to want to put the fishing line on a spool. It is recommended to put the machine on a zigzag stitch with a width of 5 and a length of 1.5. You will be able to use a regular pressure foot.
Sew the curly hem as usual, trim the ends of the braided fishing line, and you will be finished. To trim the ends of the fishing line, you will want to just sew the extra fishing line back into the hem until there is none left sticking out.
What is the Strongest Thread for Sewing?
When you sew, you will want to make sure you have the strongest thread possible. Nylon is going to be the strongest, most durable thread to use. This is because nylon is usually coated with a resin that adds extra strength to the thread. This thread is made in a lab.
I highly recommend this Singer Nylon Thread. I have used this in the past, and it truly is one of the strongest I’ve used.
The reason that nylon is so strong is because of the chemistry used to create it. The molecular bonds are super strong because the molecules are large and tight with each other. The chemicals used to create nylon are organic.
Besides nylon, there are some other extremely durable threads that are made from cotton. When determining how strong a thread is, take a look at the type of fiber, the thickness, the quality, and the process that it was made.
Can You Use Dental Floss in a Sewing Machine?
It is not recommended to put dental floss in your sewing machine, but that doesn’t mean you can’t sew with dental floss. Dental floss is a great option for thread when sewing fabrics like leather, canvas, even jeans. There are only a few things you need for the process.
If you want to sew with dental floss, you will need a lighter, waxed dental floss, and a sewing needle. You won’t need to double the floss or tie the end down to thread the needle. You just need to thread the needle onto the floss on one side.
When you make your first stitch, you will want to leave about half an inch of the floss sticking out from the fabric. This is where the lighter will come in handy. You will want to hold the lighter on the part of the dental floss that you left out, causing it to melt and turn brown.
Slowly move the lighter toward the fabric to guide the melting piece of the dental floss. When the dental floss comes in contact with the fabric, turn the lighter off and use it to press the melted end of the dental floss against the fabric. This needs to be done quickly so you don’t burn the fabric.
Is Nylon Thread the Same as Fishing Line?
While you might notice that a fishing line usually contains nylon, it is not the same as nylon thread. A fishing line will usually contain a combination of other materials in addition to nylon. Some fishing line might even be made with silk.
Nylon thread will usually be thicker than fishing line. In most cases, the thickest fishing line will be about 0.26mm in diameter, while the thinnest nylon thread is usually 0.34mm in diameter. There is also braided fishing line that will be thicker and stronger than normal fishing line.
Some fishermen might like to use nylon thread instead of fishing line for their poles because it is cheaper and still gets the job done. However, fishing line is designed to be much stronger and hold more weight than nylon thread. This is not recommended if you are fishing somewhere that is likely to have some larger fish in the water.
Final Thoughts
If you are in a bind and you need to sew something, but all you have is fishing line, it will probably cross your mind to use it to sew. You can use fishing line to sew up a tear or a seam, but it is not recommended as a long-term solution. You should fix the stitching with regular thread as soon as you are able.
You can also use dental floss to sew fabric if you need to. It is thick and durable, much like fishing line. It isn’t as durable as nylon thread, which is the strongest thread available for you to use. While fishing line is sometimes made of nylon, they aren’t the same thing.
Make sure to follow my tips and recommend products to ensure your sewing project turns out amazing! Also, don’t forget to check out my other articles for all your sewing Q&A’s. Happy sewing!