If you’re a guy wondering why none of your clothes fit and look like they were made for someone else, the answer is simple: they need to be tailored. The good news? DIY Tailoring is ridiculously easy to do. T-shirts, dress shirts, jeans, chinos and dress pants it doesn’t matter what it is. You can make all of your clothes fit you perfectly. But, once you dive into the world of DIY tailoring, you’ll hit a crossroads—one where you have to choose between cotton thread and polyester thread.

But before we get too far, you’re here because you’re probably tired of the way your clothes fit right? And you want them to fit you better? Well here’s an easy sewing machine tutorial to help you get started on your DIY tailoring journey!

Let me make this easy for you: cotton thread sucks. Don’t use it.

Polyester thread is the superior thread. Hands down. It’s what makes DIY tailoring so easy to manage, especially for beginners who’ve never even touched a sewing machine. By the way if that’s you then I made a tutorial on the only things you need to know, it’s easy.

But your thread, if you don’t get this part right you’ll end up frustrated and swear of DIY tailoring for life. Or worse, you’ll throw your sewing machine at a wall.

Polyester is like 1000 times more durable than cotton thread

Ok so let’s talk a little bit about durability. Unlike cotton thread, polyester thread is super strong and can handle all of the more technical garments that you want to make fit you better. It’s got the kind of strength and elasticity that actually holds up under pressure. Unlike cotton thread, which can snap faster than the Vikings’ defense in an NFC Championship game.

If you take a piece of polyester thread and try to rip it in half, you’re more likely to cut your fingers than break the thread. So, uh, maybe don’t try that. This strength makes polyester thread perfect for garments that see a lot of movement and stretch, like your workout clothes and even just everyday t-shirts. If you’re altering your t-shirts or dress shirts to fit better then they’re most likely going to be slimmer. Because of that your side seam is going to be under some extra pressure. Reaching up overhead to grab something with a cotton thread stitched seam? You’re gonna have a bad time.

Now, think about your chinos. You might not be doing hardcore activities in them like weight lifting or rock climbing, but if you do a lot of walking, polyester thread is your savior. It’s going to keep those seams that you altered intact through all that repetitive motion. You might not think about the distance you walk in any given session, but if you add up the hours over the length owning your chinos it can be a lot. Especially for students on a college campus.

Cotton thread? Nah not so much. It’ll snap randomly and suddenly, leaving you with busted seams and frayed edges in the middle of the mall on a Saturday afternoon.

Versatility is Key Baby

Polyester thread is like the Swiss Army knife of the DIY tailoring world—it’s super versatile. I hate to use that stupid cliche analogy but it’s the truth. You can use it on pretty much everything: workout clothes, yoga pants (not that I wear them, but hey, no judgment if you do on the weekends), jeans, chinos, you name it. I recently had to slim my partner’s yoga pants, which reminded me just how flexible polyester thread can be.

And here’s the kicker: unlike cotton thread, polyester thread won’t shrink or fade on you. That side seam you worked so hard to make fit you better? It’s going to look just as good after 50 washes as it did on day one. Imagine tailoring something to perfection, making it one of your favorite pieces in your closet, only to have it lose its shape after a few washes because you used cotton thread. That’s a nightmare I don’t want to put you through. Tears will be shed.

What’s That Smell…

Here’s another massive win for polyester thread: it doesn’t absorb moisture like cotton thread. This means it won’t mildew or mold over time. I learned this the hard way. A few years ago I made a huge mistake and used cotton thread on a couple of my workout shirts. All seemed fine for the first few weeks after altering them. But then I noticed something…strange. And no matter what I did—washing with special detergents, airing them out—I couldn’t get this funky smell out of the side seams. It wasn’t overpowering, but it was enough to notice when I put the shirt on. Turns out, it was the cotton thread absorbing all that sweat and grossness and locking it in there wash after wash. Polyester thread doesn’t have that problem, so your workout shirts won’t smell like a dumpster.

Go HAM With Your Creativity

Here’s the thing about money, I like it a lot. You probably like it a lot as well right? And you probably like saving money when possible. Polyester thread is cheaper than cotton by a significant amount. That means you can afford to stock up on a ton of different colors and get really creative with your DIY tailoring projects. If you’re buying cotton thread, which costs more, you’ll probably just stick to the basics: black, white, gray, maybe navy if you’re feeling wild. BORING!

But with polyester, you can experiment with all sorts of colors without breaking the bank.

Ans since polyester thread lasts longer, you don’t have go into that crappy place known as “Joanne Fabrics”, which means fewer run-ins with the condescending sales associates there. Yeah, you’re welcome!

Polyester thread is the way to go. It’s durable, versatile, won’t shrink or fade, and it’s cheaper. Whether you’re tailoring your workout gear, everyday clothes, or anything in between, polyester thread is going to be your best bet.

If you’re new to this whole DIY tailoring thing and feeling a bit overwhelmed, don’t sweat it. I’ve got you covered. Let’s start with the basics—learning how to use a sewing machine.

SD out, see ya!