The BEST Thread Conditioner (DIY!)

Thread conditioner works wonders in keeping your thread strong and gliding through fabric layers. Some turn to beeswax or a silicone-based gel. What's my go-to? Read on for a quick DIY thread conditioner that will blow those other options out of the water.

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Conditioned and ironed thread shown in pink and green. Non-conditioned thread shown in black.

If you've used thread conditioner, you know how that it makes sewing life so much easier.  If you haven't used a thread conditioner, I encourage you to give it a try! The conditioner coats the thread and 1) It is easier to thread through a needle, 2) It glides through fabric more easily, preventing tangles, 3) It helps prevent the fraying of your thread, and finally, 4) It prevents stress related injuries to your hands and wrists. If you are pulling threads through fabric or a quilt sandwich thousands of times, believe me, it really makes a difference! 

As far as options go, there is traditional beeswax, but I sometimes find it a little hard, depending on the season, and it sometimes will not fully coat the thread the way I like.  Another option is a silicone-based conditioner, but it's a little pricey and it's not ideal if you like to stick with more natural products.  

My formula uses mostly beeswax, but it also adds in just a little solid cocoa butter, about a 2:1 ratio of beeswax to cocoa butter.  And if you don't have cocoa butter on hand, you can still make your own beeswax thread conditioner and enjoy pouring it into a custom silicone mold shape of your choosing! 

Why does this work so well?  Cocoa butter is solid, and you'll notice that it gets soft when you handle it.  That's because its melting point is around the same as your body temperature. Beeswax melts at a much higher temperature, around 145F. Using cocoa butter alone would be too greasy for sewing, and beeswax can be a bit too firm.  Combining the two gives a wax that will not melt as you handle it, but that will more smoothly coat your thread and blend with the fibers. An added bonus is that it smells divine and your hands will be nicely conditioned too!

My final suggestion is to run a hot iron over the pre-waxed threads. Do this between old pieces of fabric and it will melt off any excess wax and make the thread even smoother and more tangle-resistant. I would do this only for cotton or linen threads, not silk or wool. Also use threads that are 18-16 inches as that size seems to be the best to prevent knots and friction breaks. If you use this iron method, you'll notice that the waxiness of the thread quickly works out and does not stain or leave a residue on your fabric. Test it out on your specific fabrics to be sure!

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