Is Silk Thread Stronger Than Cotton?

18 April 2025

When it comes to crafting, sewing or industrial use, choosing the right thread is key to your project’s success. In various forum discussions, numerous posts delve into the myths and facts surrounding different types of threads, contributing to a deeper understanding of their properties. Two of the most popular threads are silk and cotton, both with their own special qualities. Many users ask one question—“Is silk thread stronger than cotton?” The answer lies in understanding the origin, composition, and uses of each and their strengths. This post will cover everything you need about silk and cotton threads, and cotton fabric strength, so you can make an informed decision for your next project. Silk thread is known for its superior tensile strength, surpassing pretty much everything, including traditional materials like cotton and nylon.

How Is Silk Thread Made?

Silk thread comes from the cocoons of silkworms, mainly the Bombyx mori species. The process involves harvesting these cocoons and unwinding them to get natural silk fibers. These fibers can be processed into two forms:

Filament Silk: Long continuous silk fibers that give a smooth and shiny finish. Threads made from filament silk are strong and look great.
Spun Silk: Uses shorter fibers or the leftover silk cocoons spun together to make a thread. Spun silk lacks the shine of filament silk but is still strong and durable.

Silk fibers are finer, allowing for more detailed and delicate stitching. After spinning, silk threads are dyed as needed and polished to give them their shine. Silk has properties that make it suitable for use with stretch fabrics. Silk is a protein-based fiber so it has natural elasticity and tensile strength which makes it suitable for many applications. Additionally, silk threads can be used as elastic threads for gathering fabric and creating ruffles in garments.

Benefits of Silk Thread

Strength: Silk thread is strong for its weight, great for projects that need resilience.
Aesthetic: The shine looks great for decorative sewing and embroidery. The soft texture of silk thread enhances the luxurious feel of your projects. Additionally, silk interacts beautifully with light, creating a soft and warm glow that adds depth and beauty to the final appearance of the embroidery.
Non Abrasive: Smooth texture won’t damage delicate fabrics which is why it’s great for fine fabrics like satin or lace.

How Is Cotton Thread Made?

Cotton thread starts with cotton fibres from the seed hair of the cotton plant. Once harvested the cotton goes through a process of cleaning, carding and spinning to make threads. Cotton threads can also go through additional treatments depending on the application.

Mercerization is a common treatment on cotton threads to strengthen the fibres, improve dye absorption and give a smoother finish.
Cotton threads come in different weights and types, the most common are combed cotton (for smoothness and strength) and glazed cotton (for added durability and shine).

Nylon is another popular material for invisible thread, ideal for mending and attaching trims discreetly, and is often used in quilting and embroidery.

Benefits of Cotton Thread

Eco Friendly: Made from natural plant fibers, cotton thread is biodegradable and eco friendly.
Heat Resistance: Cotton threads can withstand high ironing temperatures, great for quilting and garment construction.
Versatility: With its wide availability, cotton thread is compatible with most sewing machines and fabric types, so it’s a great all round thread. Its tensile strength ensures the durability of clothing made from various materials. Additionally, cotton thread is easy to sew with, providing smooth experiences for different sewing projects.

Is Silk Thread More Expensive Than Cotton Thread?

Yes, silk thread is more expensive than cotton thread. The cost difference is due to the labor-intensive process of making silk thread, which has been created through centuries of meticulous craftsmanship. Harvesting silkworm cocoons, spinning silk fibers, and polishing the final product all add to the cost.

Cotton thread, on the other hand, is produced more simply and cost-effectively in bulk with the advancements in mechanized farming and manufacturing. Plus, cotton is more abundant as a natural resource than silk, which makes it cheaper.

For budget-conscious users, cotton thread is the way to go, especially for big projects or everyday use. But for high-end or intricate projects, the extra investment in silk thread’s premium features is worth it.

What Can I Do With Silk Thread?

Silk fabric is versatile and great for many applications, especially in needlework where its unique qualities enhance the craft. The use of silk thread in various projects ensures that the finished stitches are both functional and visually appealing. Here are some uses:

1. Hand Embroidery

Silk’s smoothness, shine, and varying textures make striking embroidery designs and add depth and dimension to textile art. When stitched using techniques like long and short stitch, the quality of the silk thread enhances the visual depth and glow of the embroidery.

2. Sewing Fine Fabrics

Silk’s non abrasive texture is great for stitching delicate fabrics like chiffon, lace or satin without damaging them. Additionally, silk can be manufactured into much thinner and finer threads than common fibers, making it ideal for delicate applications. Its unique strength also means that silk thread is less prone to breaking under tension compared to other types of threads.

3. Beading and Jewelry Making

Silk thread’s strength and flexibility come from the multiple strands twisted together to form a cohesive and durable thread. The length of these strands also plays a crucial role in determining the tensile strength and overall performance of the silk thread.

4. Decorative Quilting

When you want your quilt to shine, silk thread’s luster will add smooth, beautiful details to your design. Quilted pieces using silk thread not only look stunning but also benefit from the thread's strength and durability.

5. Tailoring

Silk thread gives a professional finish for hemming or tailoring high-end garments, ensuring strong and durable seams, it’s a favorite among designers.

When sewn into fabric, silk thread provides a smooth and elegant appearance, making it ideal for delicate and intricate designs.

What Can I Do With Cotton Thread?

Cotton thread, a durable and affordable material, also has many uses, especially for big and functional projects. For example, cotton thread is ideal for quilting, embroidery, and general sewing due to its versatility and strength. Here are:

1. Quilting

Cotton thread can withstand quilting with multiple layers of fabric and batting with its heat resistance, making it a popular choice for quilts. The properties of cotton thread also affect the tension settings on sewing machines, requiring adjustments for optimal performance.

2. Garment Construction

It’s great for sewing most clothing as it blends well with cotton and cotton blends. Cotton thread is ideal to sew various projects, ensuring smooth experiences and optimal finishes. It’s strong and reliable for everyday wear.

3. Machine Sewing

Cotton threads are compatible with most sewing machines, perfect for hobbyists and pros. The spool of cotton thread provides essential information about its fiber content, manufacturer, color number, weight, and ply count, which is crucial for selecting the right thread for your sewing projects.

4. Topstitching

For precise top stitching, use a strong thread like cotton to create clean and even stitches, especially for decorative or functional stitching. Cotton thread is ideal for various applications, ensuring that the finished stitches are both durable and visually appealing.

5. Eco-Friendly Projects

For eco-friendly designs, cotton’s natural origin and biodegradable properties, along with its durability during washing, make it the choice for green conscious creators.

Additionally, high-quality cotton thread resists fraying, ensuring the durability and appearance of finished projects.

Conclusion – Which Thread to Choose?

When choosing between silk thread and cotton thread, think of the nature and requirements of your project. Here’s a quick summary to help you decide:

Choose Silk Thread for high end projects, fine details and working with delicate fabrics.
Choose Cotton Thread for functional projects, everyday garments, quilting and machine sewing.

Both silk and cotton threads have their own benefits for their respective uses, so knowing when and where to use them is key. For more advanced uses you may also explore polyester thread which combines synthetic durability with broad versatility. Polyester thread is extremely strong and great for many fabrics especially synthetic ones and for everyday sewing. Additionally, threads come in a wide selection of colours, enhancing the aesthetic appeal and functionality of your sewing projects.

Whether you’re using spun silk, filament silk or mercerized cotton, one thing is for sure—choosing the right thread adds strength, functionality and beauty to your work. Check out our premium threads and get started on your next project.