sewing guide uk sewing services

The information given below is for guidance purposes only. UK Sewing Services recommend that the relevant governing bodies are consulted for the latest information.

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Stitch class	Description	No of needles	Ratio	Total thread (cm) per cm of seam
301	lockstitch	1	1 to 1	2.5
101	chainstitch	1	1 to 0	4
401	2 thread chain stitch	1	1 to 3	5.5
304	zig zag	1	1 to 1	7
503	2 thread overlock	1	1.2 to 1	12
504	3 thread overlock	1	1 to 5	14
516	4 thread safety	2	1 to 1.4	17.5
512	4 thread mock safety	2	1 to 3.3	18
516	5 thread safety	2	1 to 3.4	20
516	6 thread safety	3	1 to 2	21
602	4 thread cover	2	1 to 3.5	25
606	9 thread flatlock	4	1 to 3.5	32
607	6 thread flatseam	4	1 to 3.5	32

Thread consumption
The information given below is for guidance purposes only. It is approximate and does not consider wastage. Thread consumption is governed by stitch density, thread type, fabric thickness number of plies & style. The number of packages required to obtain optimum machine cover must also be considered.

	Metres		Metres		Metres		Metres		Metres
Item	per item	Item	per item	Item	per item	Item	per item	Item	per item
Anorak	210	Corset	95	Jacket(C)	160	Panti Girdle	35	Shoes(M)	27
Apron	25	Coverall	530	Jacket(L)	175	Pillowcase	50	Slacks(C)	130
Blanket	30	Dress(C)	90	Jeans(C)	145	Pyjamas(C)	100	Slacks(L)	160
Boilersuit	420	Dress(L)	190	Jeans(L)	175	Pyjamas(L)	140	Slacks(M)	185
Boots(M)	35	Dres'g gown	165	Jeans(M)	210	Pyjamas(M)	190	Sleeping bag	225
Boots(L)	30	Duvet(single)	50	Knitwear(C)	60	Quilt	320	Tent	455
Bra	45	Duvet(double)	65	Knitwear(L)	70	Raincoat	285	Trousers(C)	170
Briefs(C)	40	Fur coat	7300	Knitwear(M)	80	Safety belt	15	Trousers(M)	270
Briefs(L)	65	Gloves	25	Mattress	200	Sheet	48	Umbrella	50
Briefs(M)	50	Golf bag	135	Nightie(C)	55	Shirt(B)	75	Underslip(full)	75
Cap(C)	75	Handbag	15	Nightie(L)	100	Shirt(M)	120	Unders'p(waist)	40
Cap(M)	90	Hanky	5	Overalls(B&B)	220	Shopping bag	55	Vest/T-shirt(C)	25
Carseat cover	575	Hat(C)	25	Overcoat(C)	135	Shorts(C)	35	Vest/T-shirt(M)	40
Coat(overall)	180	Hat(M)	50	Overcoat(L)	315	Shorts(sport)	70	Waistcoat	50
Continental Quilt	100	Housecoat	185	Overcoat(M)	610	Shorts(L)	20	� ukss

There are a number of yarn counting systems in use. They are in two distinct classes.

In the first (a), the count is expressed in a fixed weight so that course or thick yarns have low count numbers and the thinner or finer yarns have a high count number (i.e. as in cotton).

It is the opposite case in the second (b) system. The size is indicated by the weight of a fixed length of yarn. In this system fine yarns would therefore have a low number and course a higher number.

Cotton system ( Ne, English)
The cotton count system (Ne) of a yarn is the number of hanks of 840 yards in a pound(16 ounces, imperial). As an example a 20's Ne cotton count would contain 20 x 840(16,800) yards per pound.

Metric system (Nm).
The Nm metric count of a yarn is the number of 1000m hanks in a Kilogramme(1000g). i.e. A yarn of Nm metric 90's would contain 90 x 1000 =90,000m metre per kilo.

Tex system.
The size of yarn in this system is expressed as the weight in grammes of 1 kilometer of yarn. Sewing threads are generally quoted in decitex (dtex) For example a yarn of 20 tex weighs 20 grammes per kilometer. 20 tex = 200 dtex

Denier
Denier is based on the weight, in grammes of 9000m of yarn. If a given length weighs 100 grammes per 9000m it is 100 denier.

Ticket numbering, Cotton numbers.
Numbers for 3 cord threads are based on the cotton count system. The cotton ticket number of a thread is equal to the cotton count of a three ply equivalent. As an example, if the construction is 60s/3 Ne, the ticket number would be 60. Similarly if the construction were 40/2 Ne the ticket number would still be 60. The numbers used for cotton threads intended for footwear however are related to the numbers used for 9 - 12 cord threads, which are in turn derived from linen counts.

Metric numbers.
These are based on the metric count system and are now used for most synthetic sewing threads. The metric ticket number of a thread is equal the metric count of a three ply equivalent. For example if the construction is 60/3 Nm the ticket number will be 60. Similarly if the construction was 40/2 Nm the ticket number would be 60.

Care labeling systems and symbols.
Some symbols & directions may not be used in your country or may have different general interpretation.
Please confirm with any governing body prior to using any symbol/interpretation below.

Process	Symbol	General interpretation
Machine wash		You may wash the item under normal machine settings.
Machine wash		30^oC Maximum water temperature
Machine wash		40^oC Maximum water temperature
Machine wash		50^oC Maximum water temperature
Machine wash		60^oC Maximum water temperature
Machine wash		70^oC Maximum water temperature
Machine wash		95^oC Maximum water temperature
Machine wash		Machine washed on "Permanent press" settings only.
Machine wash		The item should be machine washed on "Delicates" settings only.
Hand wash		The item should be hand washed only.
Do not wash		The item should not be washed.
Bleach		Bleach may be used during washing.
Non-Chlorine bleach		Colour-safe non-chlorine bleach may be used during washing.
Do not bleach		No bleach should ever be used.
Tumble dry		Normal tumble drying allowed.
Tumble dry		Normal tumble drying on low heat
Tumble dry		Normal tumble drying on medium heat
Tumble dry		Normal tumble drying on high heat
Tumble dry		Normal tumble drying no heat
Tumble dry		Normal tumble drying allowed with "Permanent Press" settings
Tumble dry		Normal tumble drying allowed on "Gentle" setting.
Do not tumble dry		Do not tumble dry.
Do not dry		Drying is not recommended
Line dry		Dry on a line.
Drip dry		Drip dry only.
Dry flat		Lay the item flat to dry
Dry in shade		Do not dry in direct sunlight.
Do not wring		Wringing is not recommended.
Ironing		Iron at any temperature with or without steam.
Iron		Iron low, below 110^oC
Iron		Iron medium, below 150^oC
Iron		Iron high, below 200^oC
Do not steam		Do not apply steam during ironing
Do not iron		Ironing is not recommended.
Dry Clean		Normal Dry cleaning recommended
Dry clean		Dry cleaning recommended with any solvent.
Dry clean		Dry cleaning with petroleum solvent recommended
Dry clean		Dry cleaning recommended with any solvent except trichloroethylene
Dry clean		Dry clean on a short cycle only
Dry clean		Dry clean with a reduced moisture setting
Dry clean		Dry clean with low heat setting
Dry clean		Dry clean with no steam
Do not dry clean		Do not dry clean
Hang dry		Hang dry only
Hang dry		Hang dry in shade
Lay flat		Lay flat to dry
Lay flat		Lay flat to dry in shade

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UK Sewing Services ~ SupplyDivision
Rock Cottage Quarry Complex, Ffrith LL11 5EH (UK)
email: sales@sewing.co.uk

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mm to inches	multiply by	.0394
cm to inches	multiply by	.394
Metres to feet	multiply by	3.2808
Metres to yards	multiply by	1.0936
Km to miles	multiply by	.6214
Inch to mm	multiply by	25.4
Inch to cm	multiply by	2.54
Foot to metre	multiply by	.3048
Yard to metre	multiply by	.9144
Mile to Km	multiply by	1.6093

1 inch	=	25.4mm
1 foot	=	30.48cm
1 yard	=	91.44cm
1 mile	=	1609m (1.6 Kilometers)

mm	6/7mm	12/13mm	19/20mm	25/26mm	32mm	37/38mm	43/44mm	50mm
inches	1/4"	1/2"	3/4"	1"	1-1/4"	1-1/2"	1-3/4"	2"

Singer	6	7	8	9	10	11	13	14	16	18	19	20	21	22	23	25	26	27	28	29	30
Metric	50	55	60	65	70	75	80	90	100	110	120	125	130	140	160	200	230	250	280	300	330