Results of test of new Dual Duty XP thread

[Barb T.]

I promised that I would get a spool of the new Coats and Clark Dual Duty XP thread (see posts on this topic at http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/t...198/index.html) and test it out.

Unlike the old Dual Duty, which was cotton-wrapped polyester, the new XP is polyester-wrapped polyester. The old cotton-wrapped polyester was a nightmare, because repeatedly pulling the thread through tartan wore the cotton wrapping into little frayed bunches along the thread. Not only ugly for a permanent seam but impossible to pull out cleanly if you used it for basting.

I tested the new Dual Duty XP only with hand sewing on a kilt (I didn't try it in my machine). I am delighted to report that the new XP is pretty great thread. It is a bit springier than other thread I've used (including Gutermann), and it doesn't seem to tangle as easily. I also couldn't detect any fraying of the wrapping even after a long run of pleat basting.

Would be interested to know if others have had a go with this new stuff. I also didn't price it in comparison to Gutermann. I'll check when I go back to Joann's.

[Tartan Hiker]

Excellent news, Barb. Since my original post on the new XP I've also done a bit of hand sewing with it and it does seem to tangle less often and is a bit stiffer than what I'm used to. I've burned through about half a spool in my Singer and it works very well there, too.

I paid $3.49 for a 250-yard spool.

Yippee!

[Barb T.]

Yeh - it kind of has the straightness and stiffness of waxed thread. I'm going to buy one spool of color to try it on the next set of pleats I stitch to see how it works out. I'll report back on price comparisons.

[Scratchy's Lass]

It sounds promising!

I just spent shy of two wks up in Flag with Scratchy (Jay) and did some sewing..... just regular stuff, no kilt making for me (yet). Next to the Gutermann at JoAnn's I saw the C&C DualDuty XP, and next to that the regular cotton-wrapped thread from hell Seems like the Gutermann's was more expensive than the C&C DDXP, but I didn't compare each size option and such. I bought NOTHING but Gutermann.

Jay about cracked a rib when I announced back at home, in my best Scarlet O'Hara voice:

As Gawd is my Witness, I will NEVER use crummy thread again!!

m

[Tartan Hiker]

I just finished a machine-sewn kilt using nothing but XP, and it performed flawlessly. None of the usual bobbin-tangles that my Singer seems to delight in, and it never broke once when punching through 5 layers of heavy poly/cotton camo. I'm liking this stuff.

[Tahshar]

Once more fortune smiles upon wanderer. I recieved Barb's book in the mail the other day and have been sleeping with it under my head so everything will soak in. Thank you Barb I am simply amazed by the book.

Next, my daughter went with me to the Pendleton Wollen Mill outlet store and decided on the spot that dad needed tartan to work with and she was going to supervise. Thier tartan is beautiful but without a selvedged edge, which is fine. The price was right ( $15-$35 a yard US. ) and Barb tells all about how to do the hem thing and make it work. I got tartan for three kilts, 8 yards of Blackwatch, 8 yards of Summit, and 6 yards of red and black tartan paisley. ( Not MY idea, but those of us who CAN wear paisley have a moral obligation to do so. Bless Pendleton's creative hearts. )

Sooo I am on my way out the door to get backing and lining and thread and such, and I check the board, and see this post... BEFORE I buy crummy thread.

I am so excited I cant hardly stand myself.

[matheson]

Out of curiousity, where is this Pendleton place?

[Kiltman]

Out of curiousity, where is this Pendleton place?

The one I go to is in, of all places, Pendleton, OR. Great place, great buys.

[Tahshar]

I go to the Pendleton Wollen mill outlet store at,

8550 SE MCLOUGHLIN
PORTLAND OR 97222
503-535-5786

THere are about half a dozen around here, that is the mill outlet store, some carry only finished products, clothing blankets and such. Hope that helps.

[matheson]

makes me a little sad, because I thought that was what you guys were talking about, and I have finished product Pendletons only.