The Merits of Common Sewing Thread as a Fly Tying Material

The Merits of Common Sewing Thread As A Fly Tying Material

Robb Chunco

Consider the cheap and ubiquitous, humble sewing thread.

It’s thick (as far as fly tying threads go), bulky, it won’t lay flat, it’s got a rough texture and using it can help you become a better fly dresser.

Because of these features, it forces you to be more cognizant of every single wrap you make. It helps you learn to economize your movements and plan ahead. It builds thickness quite quickly, which can be a good or bad thing depending on the type of fly you’re tying.

After tying a few dozen kebari with sewing thread, switching back to 6/0 or 8/0 thread feels quite different - not unlike playing an acoustic guitar with heavy gauge strings and then switching to a nicely set up electric guitar with a brand-new set of strings. Your movements become more fluid, your confidence becomes clearer.

Several of the Japanese Masters are known to use common sewing thread in their kebari patterns. Is that due to frugality or tradition, or simply the ease of acquisition? I don’t know the answers to these questions, but I do know that if it’s good enough for them to use, it’s surely good enough for the rest of us to use.