Silk Handsewing and Buttonhole thread
This silk thread was made by the Gudebrod Brothers Silk Co. of Pottstown, PA - the last American manufacturer of silk thread. Unfortunately Gudebrod closed in July 2010 so the supply is limited.

Silk handsewing thread is available in sizes A and B, which are nearly identical in size.
Size A - 630 yard spool $16
Size B - 520 yard spool $16
Size B - 75 yard mini-spool $4

Silk buttonhole twist is available in Size #10 and Size F, which are identical in size.
Size #10 - 25 yard pre-waxed skein $4
Size F - 25 yard mini-spool $4
Size F - 185 yard spool $16

The pre-waxed thread looks dark due to the wax. The wax wears away as sewing, thus exposing the true color. Some of these thread skeins are packaged in 25 one-yard lengths, which makes it easier to use.

Approximately 25 yards of thread is needed to assemble a coat, and an equal amount to work the buttonholes. See the Silk Thread Order Form for available thread sizes and colors.

Thread samples are available. Send me a self addressed stamped envelope with your request of up to four thread color numbers.

Mohair Buttonhole Twist is in stock, though a limited supply. Mohair is a hair from the Angora goat and the yarn was used to work buttonholes on soldiers and common civilian clothing. Nowadays this fiber is hard to find compared to silk or linen. If you have the chance to look at original 18th C. garments the buttonhole thread looks shiny, lustrous, and you think it is silk, but it really is mohair. In period newspaper advertisements and army receipts and bills of lading, it is refered to as Mohair twist or sticks. I have this twist in most of the Kochan & Phillips cloth colors, and the hand-dyed twist is $18 for a 27 yard skein. For best results the twist should be waxed and rolled so it is a tighter twist.

For the colors of Kochan & Phillips cloth without a match in mohair twist there is a substitute in the form of 50% wool, 50% silk buttonhole twist. Depending upon the color, these hand-dyed skeins are $10 or $15.

Thread samples are available. Send me a self addressed stamped envelope with your request of up to four thread colors.