Using invisible thread won’t make you invisible to the world, but it lives up to its name if you’re sewing, patching, or beading.
Its beauty is that you won’t see it unless you try to, and it’s great for repairs and other creative uses.
This thread is usually a nylon or polyester material; it might look delicate, but it’s pretty strong.
Whether you want a subtle patch repair, a durable string for a bracelet, or a spool for your sewing machine, you’ll want the best invisible threadon hand.
Top 7 Best Invisible Threads
There are several kinds of invisible thread you can find on the market. Some are more elastic than others, and some spools are better for sewing by hand. We’ve handpicked the best ones of 2021 and reviewed them in this list. Let’s take a look.
1. Singer 00260 Clear Invisible Nylon Thread
Singer is a household name, and their machines are the worldwide favorite choice for sewers and quilters alike. So, it’s expected that their nylon thread would be the best one you can buy. Well, you won’t be disappointed with this item.
This spool has 135 yards of clear nylon thread, and we like it. It’s long enough for most small projects. If you have to sew several items at one go, this is a great spool to put in your machine.
Of course, since it’s a proprietary design, this thread works perfectly with manufacturers’ machines. You probably won’t have trouble with third-party machines either. Just attach the spool, put the nylon through the string, and get to work.
This thing also does what it’s supposed to do and does it well. In crafts projects and even hemming, you won’t notice the thread. It goes well with multi-colored fabrics; you can even hang ornaments to make it look like they’re floating.
Last but not least, the thread itself has high strength, but it doesn’t stretch much. You’ll appreciate it once you’ve used it.
Pros
- Works with most sewing machines
- High-strength
- Low-stretch
- Goes well with colorful fabric
- Almost invisible
Cons
- Thinner than most
- Too stiff for beading
2. Mandala Crafts Invisible Clear Sewing Nylon Thread
Those of us who work more need more thread. You wouldn’t want to start a big project and have your spool run out in the middle of it. Well, this package comes with two spools of thin nylon thread that you can keep using without thinking twice.
You get a total of 6560 yards of invisible thread, and it’s only 0.12 mm thick. While you’ll enjoy hand-sewing with it, it’s great for using on a machine as well. Whether you’re embroidering, seaming, hemming, or quilting, you’ll have fun.
Ease of use is the focus of this product. You can easily find the ends of the fiber. It’s monofilament as well, meaning you won’t face any issues putting it through a needle. And it’s tangle-free, which you’ll love.
Washability is a concern since some threads tend to lose integrity when you put them in the washer. However, this waterproof nylon can take a beating. Put it in the machine to wash and dry; it’ll be just fine afterward.
The cord is decently pliable and doesn’t stretch all that much. You’ll like using it in decorations.
Pros
- Can be machine-washed
- Great length
- Only 0.12mm thick
- Doesn’t tangle
- Monofilament fiber
Cons
- Not good for thermoforming
- Tension is too high
3. Sulky Clear Invisible Thread for Sewing
If you want an invisible thread that’s specifically great for hand-sewing, you’ve found the one. This cord has a monofilament design, which means there’s only one fiber of polyester. It’s easy to pass through a needle since there won’t be any split ends.
With its polyester composition, this thing is much better than nylon for sewing into your clothes. For one, it can withstand much more heat; you can comfortably iron your stitched clothes on the ‘cotton’ setting. It’s not likely to melt or break under the heat.
As it’s only 0.004 inch thick, it passes through any fabric without much resistance. You’ll find the thin form to be useful, especially when you’re sewing into fine cloth like cotton or silk. We recommend using a needle size of between 10/70 to 14/90.
The thread is transparent, making it near invisible. Its subtle presence allows you to sew better and not worry about the patterns all that much. Of course, the low-profile is perfect for crafts and embroidery.
This particular variant is invisible, but you can also opt for the smoky option. And it’s 2200 yards long, giving you ample headroom for big work.
Pros
- Extremely thin
- Can be ironed
- Single-fiber build
- Decently long
- Safe for babies
Cons
- Too thin to wear
- Breakage issues
4. UE Store 0.1mm Clear Sewing Threads
Some threads are just too thin, and you might need a thicker one. Here are two spools of 0.1mm nylon thread that are easy to hold and don’t break all too easily. As with any nylon string, you can’t iron it directly; however, it’s great at everything else.
Each spool comes with 5000 yards of this thread, totaling 10000 yards. You’ll have more than enough on your hands for a bunch of big projects. While 0.1mm isn’t the thickest, you’ll find 0.15mm and 0.2mm variants as well.
You can use this thing for both hand-sewing and on a machine as well. Its design is better for use on a machine, though. And you’ll like to use it mostly in crafts and jewelry-making. The thread is stretchy, which is better to wear.
There are some issues, though. While using a machine, you might face issues with the tension of the bobbin. Some users complain that it has a tight wind and creaks when the bobbin reaches the center. However, the stretchiness helps avoid breakage.
Of course, the elasticity can be a plus and a minus. It solely depends on the project at hand.
Pros
- Three thickness variants
- 10000 yards long
- Great for making jewelry
- Good value for money
- Invisible to the naked eye
Cons
- Tends to stretch
- You can’t iron it
5. Gutermann Invisible Thread
Length doesn’t always matter; you also need machine compatibility. The Gutermann thread has a specific design made to suit sewing machines. It’s not the longest spool, but it performs extremely well. The string comes loaded on a bobbin; you can use it with a serger as well.
You get 274 yards of string on this spool; that’s enough for most kinds of work for a while. It’s quite thin along with being transparent, making it hardly visible. In quilting, the invisible thread gives you an advantage; you can’t see the stitches.
Users love using it for hemming and seaming when they can’t find a matching color of thread. Given its nylon composition, it’s nicely bendable without much stretch. You wouldn’t want to iron or thermoform it, though.
This synthetic fiber is strong too. You can hang decorations with it, and it’ll look like they’re hovering mid-air. Photographers also use these threads to creatively compose photos without the hassle of visible strings.
However, we don’t recommend using it for the jewelry you’ll wear on your hands or neck. It’s sharp and can cut into your skin.
Pros
- Well-suited to sewing machines
- Almost invisible
- 100% nylon
- Lightweight
- Doesn’t stretch much
Cons
- Sharp due to high tension
- Tangles up easily
6. 435 Yards Clear Perfect Match Thread
Not everyone goes fishing; everyone else doesn’t necessarily sew. To cover all the bases with an excellent product, here is one that wins at versatility. You can reliably use this invisible thread for sewing, fishing, hanging clothes, and maybe even a couple of magic tricks.
The thread is 1/8mm thick, which is a good all-around thickness for multi-purpose use. If you’re using it as a fishing line, it’ll serve the purpose well, but each spool is only 435 yards long. You might want to stick to shallow-water fishing with this line.
In case you’re quilting or embroidering, the length shouldn’t be an issue on one or two projects. The thread blends well with all kinds of color. You won’t see it unless you’re stitching on top of black fabric.
Even when this translucent nylon is visible, it looks appealing. All it takes is a creative stitch to enhance any clothing’s aesthetic; you can even try it on a leather jacket. The thickness and transparency fit in with any fabric.
Unlike other nylons, this thread can withstand an iron. You can also wash and dry it in a machine.
Pros
- Versatile application
- Optimum thickness
- You can iron it
- Suitable for many fabrics
- Machine-washable
Cons
- Too short for deepwater fishing
- Tough to knot
7. Superior Threads Monopoly Invisible Polyester Thread
The most enjoyable sewing experience comes from the best thread. In this case, it’s invisible; well, nearly. Monopoly threads have gained praise from users consistently, and it’s all for a good reason. The manufacturers have put an effort to maintain ease of use and quality.
First of all, this thing is quite comfortable to use. It bends in your hand, and it’s easy to hold. It doesn’t have a monofilament design, but you won’t miss it. The thread won’t get stuck when you try to put it inside the needle.
It’s not stiff either; you can stitch different kinds of patterns pretty neatly. However, it’s not too stretchy, giving you a firm result. And since it’s one of the best products on the market, you can barely notice it’s there.
You can use it in projects ranging from curtains to quilting to appliques. It’s versatile and does all of it well. If you’re interested in making crafts, you’ll like its niche uses as well, including thread painting.
This polyester item is superior to nylon in its ability to endure ironing. And it’ll last a long while.
Pros
- Polyfilament design
- Not stiff at all
- Doesn’t stretch
- Usable in a variety of projects
- Great for beginner sewing enthusiasts
Cons
- Pretty thick
- Yellows over time
What to Look for While Buying Invisible Thread?
If you’re curious, you can’t actually make an invisibility cloak with invisible thread. For the more realistic user, several factors matter in choosing the right kind of transparent thread. It will ultimately depend on what you’re doing with it. Let’s look at what you’ll want to consider.
- Nylon or Polyester?
There are usually two main kinds of clear thread. Both have their upsides; you’ll have to choose the one that works for you.
Nylon threads tend to be softer and thinner. You’ll appreciate it when you’re using a sewing machine, as it’s the perfect choice for that. It works pretty well for quilting by hand; the stitches are barely visible afterward. However, nylon tends to melt or deform when ironed.
Polyester threads have a leg-up in the heat department. They can withstand more heat, and they can also take a beating in the washing machine. Besides, they are less likely to yellow and become brittle over time, unlike nylon.
- Thickness
As a rule of thumb, you’d want to use a very fine thread. Anywhere between 0.004 to 0.012 inches is a good thickness category for sewing. If you’re quilting and embroidering, try to use anything under 0.006 inches.
Any thickness above that is a little too thick according to the community standards. However, that doesn’t mean they’re bad. You’ll want to use thicker threads in crafts projects and appliques. Anything above 0.013 inches is in the fishing line territory.
- Clear vs. Smoked Thread
We’ve mostly talked about clear thread all through our list. It’s a great tool that doesn’t make a fuss and enhances the beauty of the colors of the fabric you stitch. Clear thread is usually the way to go, especially if you can’t find matching-colored threads.
However, if there are several colors on your quilt, you might want to use a smoke-tinted thread. It adds more character to the design and isn’t completely opaque either. We suggest keeping both kinds of thread on-hand and using either or both as appropriate.
- Stiffness and Stretch
The thicker the line is, the stiffer it will be; it’s basic physics. If you’re embroidering, it’s better to go with a fine thread as it bends easily and has lesser tension. However, there’s no need to shy away from a thick one. It can be pretty useful in crafts and jewelry.
As for stretchiness, you’ll want to avoid too much of it. If it loosens up more than you want, you’ll end up with a deformed result. But you won’t want something that doesn’t stretch at all either. New quilts need some headroom to break in too.
How to Use Invisible Thread?
As the name says, you can’t see this thread. Well, you can if you try. But the point is that it shouldn’t stick out. However, the transparency means this thread has a slightly different composition. And, therefore, using it is a bit different as well.
Firstly, it’s a little stiffer than other threads like cotton. If you’re using a sewing machine, remember to adjust the tension settings on it. An unadjusted machine can lead to additional stress on the gears and possibly eventual malfunction.
Whether it’s nylon or polyester, these threads are thicker than your average cotton-based string. If you’re sewing by hand, you’ll need bigger needles. Additionally, it takes more elbow grease, so prepare yourself with a hearty meal.
As for crafts and jewelry-making, remember that thinner strings can cut into your skin. Try to use thicker gauge options for ornaments. For quilting, use a thinner gauge since the ends are less sharp.
And of course, nylon is less resistant to heat than polyester. Don’t iron nylon stitches. If you’re sewing something you’re going to wear, opt for polyester. Many spools will say ‘polyamide’ on the label, which is the chemical name for nylon.
Final Words
If you’re looking for a quilting or sewing thread that doesn’t attract attention, you’ll want to find the best invisible thread you can get. Many options on the market get the job done. For your convenience, we’ve listed the best ones available.