Gütermann Maraflex vs Sew-All: What's the Difference?

If you're buying Gütermann sewing thread, you may have come across Gütermann Sew-All and Gütermann Maraflex.

At first glance, they might look like similar products, but they are designed for quite different purposes.

Gütermann Sew-All is a versatile general-purpose polyester sewing thread.

Gütermann Maraflex is a specialist elastic sewing thread designed to create flexible seams in stretch fabrics.

So which one should you use?

In this guide, we'll explain the difference between Gutermann Maraflex and Sew-All, when to use each one and what to consider when choosing your thread. For a full comparison of all three Gutermann thread ranges, see our Gütermann Sewing Thread Guide.

Gütermann Maraflex vs Sew-All at a Glance

The biggest difference is stretch.

If your seam needs to move with the fabric, Maraflex is designed specifically for that job.

If you're looking for an everyday thread for general sewing, Sew-All is the more versatile option.

What Is Gütermann Sew-All?

Gütermann Sew-All is a general-purpose polyester sewing thread designed for a wide variety of sewing applications.

It's an excellent everyday thread for both sewing machines and hand sewing and is suitable for many different fabrics and projects.

Polyester is widely used for sewing threads because of its useful combination of strength, durability and versatility.

Gutermann Sew-All is ideal for:

• General sewing

• Dressmaking

• Clothing

• Repairs

• Alterations

• Craft projects

• Cotton fabrics

• Polyester fabrics

• Lightweight and medium-weight fabrics

• Sewing machine projects

• Hand sewing

If you're looking for one thread that can handle a wide variety of everyday sewing jobs, Sew-All is the natural starting point.

Shop Gütermann Sew-All Polyester Thread

What Is Gütermann Maraflex?

Gütermann Maraflex is a specialist elastic sewing thread designed for sewing stretch fabrics and creating flexible seams.

It uses Gütermann's Micro Core Technology® (MCT) and is designed to provide up to 80% seam stretch.

Unlike a conventional sewing thread, Maraflex allows a straight-stitched seam to move with the fabric.

This makes it particularly useful for garments where flexibility and movement are important.

Gutermann Maraflex is ideal for:

• Stretch fabrics

• Jersey

• Knitted fabrics

• T-shirts

• Tops

• Stretch dresses

• Close-fitting garments

• Necklines

• Cuffs

• Elasticated areas

• Flexible seams

One of its biggest advantages is that you can create flexible seams using a standard straight stitch, without necessarily needing an overlocker or coverlock machine.

Shop Gütermann Maraflex Elastic Sewing Thread

The Biggest Difference: Stretch

The easiest way to understand the difference is to think about what happens when your finished garment moves.

A conventional sewing thread such as Sew-All is designed for normal sewing seams.

Maraflex is designed to stretch with the seam.

Imagine making a close-fitting T-shirt.

When you put the T-shirt on, the fabric around your shoulders, chest and arms needs to move and stretch.

If the seam is unable to accommodate that movement, it can restrict the garment or place additional stress on the stitching.

Maraflex is designed specifically to help create a seam that can move with the stretch fabric.

Can I Use Sew-All on Stretch Fabric?

Yes, but there's an important distinction.

You can use conventional sewing thread for many sewing projects involving stretch fabrics, but the thread itself doesn't provide the same elastic properties as Maraflex.

If your project requires a seam that needs to stretch significantly, Maraflex is the specialist option to consider.

Other factors also matter when sewing stretch fabrics, including:

• Needle type

• Needle size

• Stitch selection

• Thread tension

• Fabric construction

• Machine settings

So changing the thread alone won't necessarily solve every problem associated with sewing stretch fabric.

Can I Use Maraflex for Normal Sewing?

You can, but that's not really where Maraflex offers its main advantage.

If you're sewing a standard woven cotton fabric, there's generally little reason to choose an elastic thread designed for stretch seams.

For everyday sewing, Gütermann Sew-All is the more appropriate general-purpose option.

Think of Maraflex as a specialist tool in your sewing box, rather than a replacement for your everyday sewing thread.

Maraflex vs Sew-All for Dressmaking

Both can be useful for dressmaking, but the right choice depends heavily on the fabric.

Woven fabrics

For woven fabrics such as many cottons, linens and dressmaking fabrics:

Gütermann Sew-All is generally the more suitable choice.

Stretch fabrics

For fabrics such as jersey and other knitted or elastic fabrics:

Gütermann Maraflex may be the better choice where you need the seam to stretch.

This is particularly relevant for close-fitting garments.

Maraflex vs Sew-All for T-Shirts

For a T-shirt made from a stretch jersey fabric, Maraflex is the specialist option.

T-shirts need to stretch when they're pulled over the head and when the wearer moves.

Maraflex is designed to provide flexible seams while allowing you to use a conventional straight stitch.

For a T-shirt made from a non-stretch woven fabric, Sew-All would be the more obvious choice.

Maraflex vs Sew-All for Cuffs and Necklines

Cuffs and necklines are areas where flexibility can be particularly important.

As a garment is put on and worn, these areas may need to move and stretch.

Maraflex is therefore particularly useful for:

• Necklines

• Cuffs

• Sleeve openings

• Waistbands

• Close-fitting seams

The fabric itself still needs to provide the appropriate amount of stretch — Maraflex is designed to help the stitched seam accommodate movement.

Can Maraflex Be Used in the Bobbin?

Yes.

Gütermann Maraflex can be used as both needle and bobbin thread.

Using Maraflex in both positions allows the elastic thread to form part of the seam construction rather than simply being used in one position.

As always, test the thread on a scrap of your fabric first and adjust your machine settings if necessary.

Which Needle Should I Use with Maraflex?

For Maraflex, Gütermann recommends using a suitable stretch-type needle.

The recommended options include:

• Jersey needle: NM 70–80

• Stretch needle: NM 70–80

• Super Stretch needle: NM 70–80

The best needle depends on the fabric you're sewing.

For example, a lightweight jersey may require a different needle choice from a heavier knitted fabric.

Always follow the needle manufacturer's guidance and test the combination on a scrap of fabric before starting your project.

Do I Need an Overlocker to Use Maraflex?

No.

One of the useful features of Maraflex is that it is designed to create flexible seams using a standard straight stitch.

This means it can be used on a conventional household sewing machine.

An overlocker can still be useful for many stretch sewing applications, but Maraflex gives home sewists another option when they don't have access to one.

How Much Stretch Does Maraflex Provide?

Gütermann states that Maraflex can provide up to 80% seam stretch.

The actual result you achieve will depend on factors including:

• The fabric

• Stitch settings

• Thread tension

• Needle

• Sewing machine

• Seam construction

The "up to 80%" figure should therefore be viewed as the maximum stated capability rather than a guarantee that every seam will stretch by 80%.

Which One Should I Buy?

Here's the simple answer.

Choose Gütermann Sew-All if you're:

✓ Sewing woven fabrics

✓ Making everyday clothing

✓ Doing repairs or alterations

✓ Looking for an everyday sewing thread

✓ Sewing cotton, polyester and other common fabrics

✓ Looking for a versatile general-purpose thread

Choose Gutermann Maraflex if you're:

✓ Sewing stretch fabrics

✓ Making T-shirts

✓ Sewing jersey

✓ Making close-fitting garments

✓ Working on stretchy necklines or cuffs

✓ Creating seams that need to move with the fabric

✓ Wanting to sew flexible seams using a straight stitch

What If I Need Several Colours?

If you're working on several garments or projects, buying individual spools can mean gradually building up a collection of colours.

That's where Gutermann thread sets can be useful.

Sets can be particularly handy for:

• Dressmakers

• Quilters

• New sewists

• Sewing rooms

• Crafters

• Gifts

• Anyone who regularly works with different colours

If you know the exact colour you need, an individual spool is the simplest choice.

If you need several complementary or commonly used colours, a set can be a convenient alternative.

Browse our Gütermann Thread Range

What About Gütermann Natural Cotton?

If you're comparing Maraflex and Sew-All because you're trying to choose the right Gütermann thread, there's another option worth knowing about.

Gütermann Natural Cotton is a 100% cotton sewing thread and is particularly suited to quilting, patchwork and projects where you specifically want cotton thread.

So you can think of the three ranges like this:

Sew-All → general-purpose polyester

Natural Cotton → 100% cotton

Maraflex → flexible seams and stretch fabrics

For a side-by-side comparison of Sew-All and Natural Cotton, see our article on Gütermann Sew-All vs Natural Cotton. Or for a full overview of all three threads, read our Gütermann Sewing Thread Guide.

Gütermann Maraflex vs Sew-All: The Bottom Line

Neither thread is simply “better” than the other.

They're designed for different jobs.

Gütermann Sew-All is your versatile, everyday polyester sewing thread. It's a great choice for general sewing, dressmaking, repairs and a wide variety of fabrics.

Gütermann Maraflex is the specialist option when you need a flexible seam that can move with stretch fabric. It can provide up to 80% seam stretch and can be sewn using a standard straight stitch.

So before choosing your thread, ask yourself one simple question:

Does my seam need to stretch?

If no → Gütermann Sew-All.

If yes → consider Gutermann Maraflex.

And if you're specifically looking for a cotton thread for quilting or patchwork, take a look at Gütermann Natural Cotton.

At The Yorkshire Sewing Guy, we stock all three ranges, with 40 colours of each, alongside individual spools and thread sets.

Browse all Sewing Threads

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between Gütermann Maraflex and Sew-All?

Sew-All is a general-purpose polyester sewing thread, while Maraflex is a specialist elastic sewing thread designed to create flexible seams in stretch fabrics.

Is Gutermann Maraflex stretchy?

Yes. Gütermann Maraflex is designed to provide up to 80% seam stretch.

Can I use Gütermann Sew-All on jersey?

Sew-All can be used for many sewing projects involving jersey and other fabrics, but Maraflex is specifically designed for creating flexible seams in stretch fabrics.

Can I use Maraflex on cotton fabric?

Maraflex is designed primarily for flexible seams and stretch fabrics. For standard woven cotton fabric, Gutermann Sew-All or Natural Cotton would generally be more appropriate choices depending on your project.

Do I need an overlocker for Maraflex?

No. Maraflex is designed to create flexible seams using a standard straight stitch on a household sewing machine.

Can Maraflex be used in the bobbin?

Yes. Gütermann Maraflex can be used as both needle and bobbin thread.

Which Gutermann thread is best for stretch fabric?

Gütermann Maraflex is the specialist thread in the range for creating flexible seams in stretch fabrics.

Which Gutermann thread is best for general sewing?

Gütermann Sew-All is the general-purpose option and is suitable for a wide range of everyday sewing applications.

Which Gütermann thread should I use for quilting?

Gütermann Natural Cotton is a particularly good choice if you want a 100% cotton thread for quilting and patchwork. You can shop Gutermann Natural Cotton here.