Saturday, February 2, 2013

The Tex Measurement Standard


The Tex system (most likely derived the word textile) was created 
as a new standard of consistent thread measurement and intended
 to replace all other methods of measurement of threads.  It hasn’t 
quite achieved that goal because quilters love the weight standard 
and the number standard (for example, 40 wt. or #50) and embroiderers 
are used to the denier standard (120d/2). Because the International 
Organization for Standardization (IOS) has adopted the Tex system, 

it will probably continue to gain in popularity so it would be advantageous 

to understand it.

Tex is an accurate measurement and is considered a direct numbering 

system, meaning the higher the Tex number, the heavier the thread.  
On the other hand, the weight system, most popular in the U.S., is not a 
direct numbering system because the larger the number (30 wt., 40 wt., 
50. wt., 60 wt.), the finer the thread.  That can be confusing.

The Tex standard uses 1,000 meters of thread per gram as the starting

 point. This means if 1,000 meters of thread weighs one gram, it is Tex 1. 
If 1,000 meters of thread weighs 25 grams, it is Tex 25.

Although this appears to be a very accurate measurement, it is necessary 

to remember that 1,000 meters of cotton will not weigh the same as 
1,000 meters of like-diameter polyester.  Therefore, when comparing thread 
sizes based on the Tex or any other standard of measure, for exact accuracy, 
compare cotton to cotton, poly to poly, and silk to silk.

We use the Tex measurement on some of our newer threads and on all 

our industrial (apparel and upholstery) threads.
Fine Tex Threads . . . . . . Tex 9 to Tex 20
Medium Tex Threads . . .  Tex 21 to Tex 45
Heavy Tex Threads . . . . . Tex 45 and higher

Please click here or on the link below for the list of most of our threads, 

grouped by use, showing the Tex measurement for each.

Tex Measurement Chart, Listed by Thread Type 


This information is shared with permission from the Superior Threads website.
Please stop by the site for additional thread info!

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