Sewing Thread Research Articles

A garment-integrated textile stitch-based strain sensor device, IoT-Enabled for enhanced wearable sportswear applications

The field of wearable technology is undergoing a transformative shift with the integration of IoT-enabled, AI-assisted sensors into sportswear, bringing sophisticated performance analysis within reach for a broader audience. Despite advancements in stitch strain sensors, there is a significant research gap in developing high-performance, stable, and IoT-connected complete stitch strain wearable sensor systems. These advanced sensors are essential for enhancing wearable technology and meeting the growing demands for improved user experience and functionality. In this study by utilizing conductive sewing threads and innovative stitching techniques, we fabricated textile strain sensors that offer high sensitivity, flexibility, and durability. Extensive calibration tests revealed strong linear relationships between resistance and tensile strain, with highest sensor sensitivity (2.08 Ω/mm during loading and 2.72 Ω/mm during unloading). These sensors demonstrate reliable performance with minimal hysteresis, particularly in shorter lengths. The wearable sportswear device, tested in gym environments, demonstrated the sensor's capability to provide real-time feedback on knee flexing/bending and body movement during exercise. This functionality supports injury prevention and enhances workout efficiency. The sensor system is IoT-enabled, powered by an ESP8266 microcontroller, facilitating data transmission to the Thing Speak platform for advanced analysis and remote monitoring. This comprehensive approach not only advances wearable technology but also opens new avenues for remote health monitoring and smart e-textiles, contributing significantly to the fields of sports science and fitness technology.

A new approach for predicting seam strength

Owing to a high amount of stress, seam failure in workwear fabrics makes the fabric unsuitable although the fabric strength is high. It is therefore important to predict the seam strength to ascertain the performance of the garments during use and determine the required thread strength to match the required seam strength. An assembly is composed of a sewing thread and a fabric. The thread forming the seam undergoes several stresses during its passage from the sewing machine to the formation of the loop and when wearing the garment: these are mechanical stresses. Therefore, it is necessary to evaluate the strength of the seam. But, in the bibliography, most researchers have studied the strength of the seam concerning a single type of stitch. This work aimed to examine the seam's strength from the resistance to the loop of the thread for all types of stitches. In all of the earlier predictive equations, seam strength is predicted from thread loop strength with some multiplicative factors. The thread loop strength is measured without considering the stitch type. During the sewing process, threads loop differently from one stitch to another, therefore, the standard thread loop strength becomes unfit to predict the seam strength. In this paper, the effects of loop thread length and configuration are studied on thread loop strength and seam strength. The seam strengths predicted from the loop strength before and after considering the new loop configurations and the real seam strength are compared. So, new clamps for loop strength are configured and carried out. It is observed that there is a closer match between experimental and predicted seam strength with new loop configurations. The loop configuration has a significant effect on the thread loop strength and improves the accuracy of seam-strength prediction.

Natural Dyes in Embroideries of Byzantine Tradition, the Collection of Embroidered Aëres and Epitaphioi in the National Museum of Art of Romania

The medieval textiles collection of the National Museum of Art of Romania (MNAR) has been in place since 1865 and nowadays preserves about 1000 medieval and pre-modern weavings and embroideries. These extremely valuable objects, dated between the 14th and the 19th centuries, are mainly religious embroidered garments and veils with special significance in the Byzantine li-turgy. Ecclesiastical embroideries of Byzantine tradition are characterized by a complex technique: metallic threads with a silk core, metallic wires and coloured silk threads are couched over padding on layers of silk and cellulosic supports so as to create relief through light reflection. The silk sup-ports and the sewing threads are coloured, mainly in red, blue, green and yellow hues, and analytical investigations of the dyes used in embroideries preserved in the MNAR, in the Putna and Sucevița Monasteries, have been released in previous studies by the corresponding author. The present work continues the approach with research into dyes in about 25 aëres and epitaphioi from the MNAR collection. Considering their privileged function in the liturgical ritual, these luxurious pieces embroidered with silver, gilded silver or coloured silk threads and decorated with pearls, sequins or semi-precious stones are the most faithful description of the stylistic and technological evolution of the art of post-Byzantine embroidery in the Romanian provinces. The data resulting from the present research will improve the knowledge regarding this topic. Dye analysis was performed by liquid chromatography with diode array detection, while fibres were characterized by infrared spectroscopy (with attenuated total reflectance) and optical microscopy. The biological sources identified—carminic acid-based dyes, redwood, dyer’s broom, weld, indigo-based dyes––will be discussed in correspondence with their use in the embroidery technique: support, lining and embroidery threads, together with other sources previously reported on Byzantine embroideries in Romanian collections, and in similar objects preserved at Holy Mount Athos.

The Influence of Domestic Washing on the Performance of Conductive Sewing Threads

The Influence of Domestic Washing on the Performance of Conductive Sewing Threads

Sewing thread lodged under a cat's tongue caused an intestinal obstruction: a case report

A 4-year-old cat was admitted to a private veterinary clinic with complaints of lethargy, intermittent vomiting, and anorexia. A sewing thread was found under the cat's tongue on clinical examination. An abdominal ultrasound confirmed the presence of a linear foreign body in the duodenum. Emergency surgery was performed on the day of the presentation. The sewing thread was successfully extracted by enterotomy. The cat's recovery proceeded without complications.

Effect of Sewing Thread Properties on Seam Performance of Woven Fabrics

This paper aims to investigate the influence of sewing thread properties, sewing process and repeated washing cycles on the strength reduction of sewing threads and seam strength of sewn samples. For this purpose, twenty-four commercial sewing threads with different types and linear densities were selected for the present study. The samples were sewn with specific sewing parameters. Half of the fabric samples were then subjected to 10 washing cycles. After sample preparation, the change in tensile properties after sewing and washing was calculated and the seam strength of the sewn and washed-sewn samples was measured. It was observed that the breaking strength of each parent thread was significantly higher than its corresponding sewn and washed-sewn thread strength. Considering the strength loss after sewing and after washing, it was found that, among the different types of sewing threads, the samples sewn with core-spun threads showed lower strength loss, while the samples sewn with cotton threads showed the highest loss. Moreover, the values of seam strength after washing are higher for PES-Co core-spun thread and mercerized cotton thread than before washing. However, an opposite trend was observed for the samples sewn with polyester spun and PES-PES core-spun thread. High correlations were observed between the parent thread and the strength of the sewn thread, the strength of the washed-sewn thread and the seam strength before washing.

Wearable Rectenna With Integrated Miniaturized Feeding Slot and Rectifier Structure

A low-cost hybrid textile/PCB wearable rectenna is designed for smart on-body applications. It is an integration of a textile patch antenna and a highly efficient rectifier on a small PCB substrate, where the feeding aperture of the antenna is significantly miniaturized by exploiting an LC loading technique in order to have an effective integration with the rectifier. The feeding-rectifying circuitry is attached to the back of the antenna by normal sewing threads. The essential components are soldered on the small rigid PCB for a robust connection. The size of the rectenna is 0.817 × 0.817 λ <sub xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">0</sub> <sup xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">2</sup> while the rigid substrate area for the feeding-rectifying circuitry is only 0.278 × 0.147 λ <sub xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">0</sub> <sup xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">2</sup> (3.4 cm × 1.8 cm) at 2.45 GHz. The intrinsic dielectric/conduction loss of textile feedlines, the loss of antenna-to-rectifier interconnectors, the loss of soldering or gluing on textiles, and the loss due to body absorption from typical large feeding slots are constitutively reduced. The soldering points and the consequent hard-to-be-characterized parasitic effects on textiles are avoided. The proposed integration approach reduces the cost and eases the rectenna design, fabrication, and integration. As a result, the power conversion efficiency (PCE) of the rectifier reaches up to 39.5% at -20 dBm input power level whilst the experimental rectenna prototype achieves the state-of-the-art PCE of 41% at an extremely low incident power density of 0.4 μW/cm <sup xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">2</sup> . The maximum PCE is 56% at the -5 dBm input power. Finally, the possibility of harvesting datalink energy from PC/mobile phones as power source for wearable electronics is investigated.

Fabrication and Properties of Nanometer Multilayer Compound Heat Insulation Material

This research focuses on the development of a nanometer multiple-layer compoundheat insulation material and its preparation procedure. The material consists of alternating layers of an infrared reflecting screen and a spacer. The infrared reflecting screen is made of metal foil or metal plated foil, while the spacer is a thermostability nanometer porous aerogel compoundheat insulation material. The layers are combined using thermostability adhesives or puncturing connection with thermostability sewing threads. The objective of this study is to investigate the properties and preparation procedure of the nanometer multiple-layer compoundheat insulation material. The material offers low density, favorable mechanical properties, and excellent high-temperature heat insulation performance. It reduces the vacuum requirements for vacuum insulation plate core materials and eliminates the need for getters. This material meets the high-efficiency heat insulation requirements of aviation, aerospace, and civil applications. Moreover, the proposed procedure enables the production of large-sized heat insulation material members with complex shapes.

Effect of Lubrication in Cotton Blended Air-Vortex Sewing Thread

ABSTRACT Attempts have been made to use air-vortex cotton-blended spun yarn of 30s and 40s count as sewing thread by using 2.9% and 5.9% concentrations of lubricant. No systematic study has been conducted as of now for vortex because all the sewing threads used in the garment industry are produced from ring yarn. Yarn strength, elongation, hairiness, dry heat shrinkage, yarn abrasion, snarling of yarn after heat setting, loop strength, and knot strength of air-vortex-spun sewing threads have been studied. It is observed that the sewing thread made with 5.9% concentration of lubricant performs better in comparison to that made with a 2.9% lubrication level. Seam strength and efficiency of different types of seams made by air-vortex sewing threads have also been studied. Flat and lapped seams are found to produce higher seam strength and seam efficiency. Seam strength and efficiency improve with an increase in the concentration of lubricant in both 30S and 40S yarn.

Systematic Investigation on the Mechanisms for Water Responsive Actuation Using Commercial Sewing Threads

ABSTRACT Water-responsive materials alter their volumes in response to relative humidity changes. Recent progress in water-responsive materials demonstrates that this novel category of materials can perform better than natural muscles and conventional actuators by utilizing sustainable and renewable water energy. Textile fibers make excellent candidates for viable water-responsive actuators due to their scalability. However, the lack of a fundamental understanding of water responsiveness impedes their real-world applications. In this research, we selected seven different types of commercially available sewing threads: natural cellulose (cotton, flax). natural protein (wool, silk). regenerated cellulose (rayon), and synthetic (nylon, polyester) to systematically investigate their water-responsive behavior. All the sewing threads, without any chemical nor physical modification, except for polyester, repeatedly lifted a weight in response to humidity changes and generated higher specific energy density (15–210 J/kg) than mammalian muscles (8 J/kg). While the maximum water sorption by a sewing thread does not directly correlate to its mechanical actuation, the disruption of intermolecular hydrogen bonding between polymer chains by sorbed water seems critical for WR tensile actuation. In addition, the twisting of fibers to the right degree could direct the WR actuation in the desired direction. Our research with common threads sheds light on the water-responsive mechanisms and provides design guidelines for a large-scale water-responsive actuator applicable in various engineering systems, including energy harvesting, soft robotics, and protective gears that can help expand the applicability of natural fibers.

Study on thermal comfort behaviour of seams made of micro-denier polyester sewing thread for high active sportswear

This work aims to investigate the thermal comfort behaviour of polyester seamed fabric regarding the change in sewing thread filaments fineness for two different seam classes: seam 514 and seam 607. Five seamed fabric samples were constructed with using micro-denier polyester filament of 16.66 tex made of five different filament numbers (38, 48, 108, 144 and 288). It was noticed that the seam thermal properties, air and water vapour permeability, and wicking can be improved if the seam is constructed with using the micro-denier polyester sewing thread. It was also found that the investigated properties increase with the increase in the sewing thread filament fineness on the seam line. The statistical results have also shown that the sewing thread filament fineness is significantly affecting thermal behaviour of the seamed fabric.

Load extension behavior of spun sewing threads on seam slippage

The present research is focused to develop the relationship between the seam slippage and mechanical properties of sewn fabric by considering the spun thread and fabric configuration in the stitched assembly. Plain and twill weave fabric was used for the sample development stitch with the spun thread while the sewing machine setting was kept constant to produce a balanced seam. Different stitched samples are prepared in warp and weft direction for investigation by considering superimposed, flat, and bound seam classes with multi-thread chain, lock, and cover stitches. Experiment findings highlight the optimum load of seam slippage in N at 6 mm seam opening at stitched assembly by employing mentioned seam classes and stitch types. The results showed that 189.97 N maximum load was found at 6 mm seam opening for plain weave fabric in warp direction at flat seam sample with a lock stitched while in weft direction 80.65 N minimum load at the bound seam with multi-thread chain stitch. For twill weave fabric 94.72 N minimum slippage load at a 6 mm seam opening was observed in the weft direction at the bound seam with multi-thread chain stitch while in the warp direction maximum slippage load of 200 N was reported at the superimposed, flat and bound seam with multi-thread chain, lock and cover stitches. Established findings have a significant coefficient of determination (R2 0.90) between sewing thread extension and seam slippage load at 6 mm seam opening in both directions. The present research provides the guidelines to select the spun sewing thread which was possessed the minimum extension (%) against the respective load (N) to overcome the seam slippage in the stitched garment.

Simulation and prediction of seam puckering in the layers of woven fabrics using a yarn-level model

PurposeSimulating the behavior of clothing has always been of interest in the apparel, fashion and computer game industries. With the development of these industries, there is a need to increase the accuracy of clothing simulation techniques. A garment contains many seams whose behavior affects its final appearance. In this study, a numerical model is presented to simulate seam puckers in single- and double-layer fabrics.Design/methodology/approachA yarn-level simulation technique has been used for this purpose. Based on this technique, the individual threads in the fabric structure and the sewing threads are modeled separately. Then, their behavior and interaction with each other are considered in the seam pucker model.FindingsThe model is used to simulate the real samples. The results show that the proposed model is able to simulate the degree of seam puckering for a single-layer fabric with an average error of 7.9% and for a double-layer fabric with an average error of 8.5%.Originality/valueThe behavior of the seam is affected by the properties, behavior and interaction of the sewing threads and yarns in the fabric structure. In previous studies, the parameters related to seams and fabrics were not fully considered. In this study, a new yarn-level model is presented to simulate seam puckering in woven fabrics. The most important advantage of this type of simulation is the ability to examine the interaction of fabric threads as well as the interaction of sewing threads with each other and with the threads of the fabric structure.

S2529 Threading the Needle: Safely Removing Double-Edged Sharp Foreign Bodies

Introduction: Foreign body ingestion is a common phenomenon among individuals with psychiatric disorders, alcohol intoxication, developmental delay, or in incarcerated individuals. Most ingested foreign bodies pass spontaneously without complication but 10-20% require endoscopic intervention. Impaction, perforation, or obstruction often occurs at angulations or narrowing. Early recognition and urgent upper endoscopy (EGD) for foreign body removal may improve clinical outcomes. Here we present a case of melena and abdominal pain secondary to foreign body ingestion. Case Description/Methods: An 83-year-old male with a past medical history of pulmonary embolism on warfarin, alcohol use disorder, and anxiety presented after 2 black, tarry stools and light-headedness. On admission his vitals were stable and labs were notable for an International normalized ratio (INR) of 3.3 and a Hemoglobin (Hgb) of 12.3g/dL. He was treated with Vitamin K and intravenous pantoprazole twice daily. The next day his Hgb was found to be 8.2g/dL and an EGD was performed revealing antral ulcerations and a 3.5cm sewing needle and thread with both ends penetrating opposite walls of the antrum (Figure A, B). Multiple attempts at removing the needle with rat tooth and jumbo forceps were unsuccessful and the procedure was aborted. Follow up computed tomography imaging did not reveal perigastric fluid or pneumoperitoneum post-procedurally. On hospital day 3 a repeat EGD was attempted and showed the needle was only perforating mucosa along one side of the gastric body; it was able to be removed via overtube and raptor device (Figure C). Discussion: Endoscopic removal of sharp ingested foreign bodies can prove to be challenging. Several risk factors including age and duration of impaction are associated with adverse events, such as laceration, perforation, and ulcers. Double pointed/sharp objects are particularly challenging given they are harder to grasp and maneuver. That, in addition to luminal contractions, likely contributed to the difficulty retrieving the needle in this case despite using recommended tools. Had the second endoscopic retrieval attempt failed, the patient would have required surgical evaluation. Overall, the benefit of further endoscopic retrieval attempts versus the risk of perforation from the foreign body or complications from the procedure itself must be weighed case by case.Figure 1.: Endoscopic Evaluation of Patient with Foreign Body A – Foreign body wedged between opposite ends of pylorus (Highlighted by top arrow) B – Full view of sewing needle with thread in gastric antrum C – Sewing needle after removal.

Effects of Needle Size and Sewing Thread on Seam Quality of Traditional Fabrics

The role of fabric properties in sewing performance and seam quality is essential, therefore, it is crucial to understand the effect of diferent parameters on traditional fabrics’ sewability properties. This study aimed to evaluate the seam quality of traditional fabrics produced from silk, cotton and linen fibres and their blends in terms of seam strength, seam efficiency and fabric sewability. The samples were sewn using two different sewing needle size (75 Nm and 90 Nm) and sewing thread (100% mercerised cotton and 100% polyester corespun). Based on the obtained results, it can be concluded that sewing thread and fabric type had significant effect on seam strength and seam efficiency. The samples sewn with polyester corespun sewing thread had higher seam strength than other. The sewing needle significantly affected the needle penetration force values and the silk fabric had lowest sewability values both in warp and weft direction.

A Proprioceptive Soft Robot Module Based on Supercoiled Polymer Artificial Muscle Strings.

In this paper, a multi-functional soft robot module that can be used to constitute a variety of soft robots is proposed. The body of the soft robot module made of rubber is in the shape of a long strip, with cylindrical chambers at both the top end and bottom end of the module for the function of actuators and sensors. The soft robot module is driven by supercoiled polymer artificial muscle (SCPAM) strings, which are made from conductive nylon sewing threads. Artificial muscle strings are embedded in the chambers of the module to control its deformation. In addition, SCPAM strings are also used for the robot module’s sensing based on the linear relationship between the string’s length and their resistance. The bending deformation of the robot is measured by the continuous change of the sensor’s resistance during the deformation of the module. Prototypes of an inchworm-like crawling robot and a soft robotic gripper are made, whose crawling ability and grasping ability are tested, respectively. We envision that the proposed proprioceptive soft robot module could potentially be used in other robotic applications, such as continuum robotic arm or underwater robot.

Effect of Workwear Fabric Fluorocarbon Coating on Changes in Tensile Properties of Sewing Threads

This paper presents the findings of changes in the tensile behaviour of sewing threads in two-seam configu­ration on three different workwear fabrics, i.e. drill, duck and rip-stop structures, before and after the coating. For this research, commercially available workwear fabrics were obtained from the domestic industry and the sewing was carried out using a 40 tex core-spun polyester sewing thread. High-speed heavy-duty lockstitch sewing machines were used to construct both the superimposed (SSa) and lapped seams (LSd). The strength of sewing threads sewn in the two-seam configuration were carefully unravelled and compared with the unsewn sewing thread (UST). The effect of coating on the changes in tenacity, breaking elongation and initial modulus of the needle thread was reported. It was found that there was a significant effect of weave structure on the tenacity of the sewing thread.

Artificial Neural Network-based Prediction Technique for Waterproofness of Seams Obtained by Using Fusible Threads

Abstract The aim of this study was to estimate waterproofness values of seams composed of the combination of fusible threads and antiwick sewing threads through artificial neural networks (ANN). Fusible threads were used to obtain waterproof seams for the first time. Therefore, estimating the value of the waterproofness variable with the help of models created from test values can contribute to accelerating the progress of further studies. Hence, ten different samples were prepared for two fabrics, and the waterproofness values of the seams obtained were tested using a Textest FX 3000 Hydrostatic Head Tester III. For the prediction of waterproofness values of the seams, the Levenberg-Marquardt backpropagation algorithm was used for artificial neural network pattern models with sigmoid and positive linear transfer functions. Finally, the ANN model was successful in estimating the waterproofness of the seams. The highest correlation coefficient was R = 0.95081 which indicated that the prediction made by the neural network model proved to be reliable.

Investigation of the Effects of Elastic Sewing Thread on Seam Performance Properties of Stretch Denim Fabrics

It is seen that stretch denim fabrics manufactured by adding elastane fiber are fashionable and highly preferred by consumers. In this study, comparison of seam performance propeties of elastic and regular polyester sewing threads on stretch denim fabrics was investigated that has not been studied before. As the test material, four denim fabrics were used in twill and satin weave structures and containing 2% elastane with different mixing ratios. Elastane core spun polyester and polyester core spun polyester sewing threads were used in sewing processes. The samples were sewn with lock and chain stitches at the stitch densities of 3 and 4 stitches/cm in both warp and weft directions. The results revealed that the elasticity of the sewing thread has an effect on increasing the seam strength but the strength of the sewing thread is more effective on seam strength and seam efficiency property. Higher seam performance values are obtained in weft directions with chain stitches and at 4 stitches/cm.

Joining High Thickness Materials by Sewing \u2013 first Modelling Steps of the Stitched Place

Many textile products are using materials with higher thickness like foams, spacer fabrics and nonwoven materials in order to provide comfortable softness of the contact surface to the body. Such materials are often joint to another external layer who have to provide optical and mechanical stability of the system, and are joined together into a 3-dimensional geometry. This paper analyses some steps of joining such materials by sewing. The forces in the sewing threads are analyzed analytically. A numerical model based on finite element method (FEM) is implemented in LS-Dyna and the process of compaction of the sewing line, based on the thread force is simulated. The thread force propagation is numerically analyzed in the time, at different friction coefficients and for different foam stiffness. All simulations demonstrate logical results and can be used as a fundament for more complex investigations and optimizations of such products.