Gütermann Sew-All vs Natural Cotton: Which Sewing Thread Should You Choose?

If you're looking for a good quality Gütermann sewing thread, you may have come across both Gütermann Sew-All and Gütermann Natural Cotton.

Both are excellent-quality sewing threads, but they are made from different fibres and are suited to slightly different types of sewing.

So which should you choose?

The simple answer is:

Choose Gutermann Sew-All for a versatile, general-purpose polyester sewing thread.

Choose Gutermann Natural Cotton when you specifically want a 100% cotton thread, particularly for quilting, patchwork and natural-fibre fabrics.

Let's take a closer look at the differences. You can also read our full Gütermann Sewing Thread Guide for a broader comparison including Maraflex.

Gütermann Sew-All vs Natural Cotton at a Glance

The biggest difference is simply the fibre from which the thread is made.

What Is Gütermann Sew-All?

Gütermann Sew-All is a versatile polyester sewing thread designed for a wide range of sewing applications.

It's the sort of thread that's useful to have in your sewing box because it can be used for general sewing, dressmaking, repairs and many everyday sewing projects.

Polyester is widely used in sewing threads because it offers useful properties including strength and abrasion resistance. Coats' technical guidance notes that spun polyester is one of the most widely used sewing threads and is stronger than cotton thread of comparable size.

Gutermann Sew-All is particularly useful for:

• General sewing

• Dressmaking

• Clothing alterations

• Repairs

• Sewing machine projects

• Hand sewing

• Cotton fabrics

• Polyester fabrics

• Lightweight and medium-weight fabrics

• Craft projects

If you're looking for one versatile thread to use for lots of different sewing projects, Sew-All is a great place to start.

Shop Gütermann Sew-All Polyester Thread

What Is Gütermann Natural Cotton?

Gütermann Natural Cotton is a 100% cotton sewing thread.

Unlike Sew-All, which is polyester, Natural Cotton is made from a natural fibre. This makes it particularly appealing for sewists who specifically want to use cotton thread.

It's especially well suited to quilting, patchwork and projects made using cotton and other natural-fibre fabrics.

Gutermann Natural Cotton is particularly useful for:

• Quilting

• Patchwork

• Quilt piecing

• Cotton fabrics

• Natural-fibre fabrics

• Linen

• General sewing

• Craft projects

• Hand sewing

• Sewing machine projects

Shop Gütermann Natural Cotton Thread

Cotton or Polyester: Which Is Better?

This is one of the most common questions when choosing sewing thread.

The answer is that neither is automatically better.

They're different materials with different characteristics, so the right choice depends on your project.

Why choose polyester thread?

Polyester is a popular choice for general sewing because it is versatile and durable.

Gütermann Sew-All is therefore a particularly good option when you:

• Sew lots of different types of fabric

• Make clothes

• Carry out repairs and alterations

• Want an everyday sewing thread

• Want one thread range that covers lots of applications

Why choose cotton thread?

Cotton is a natural fibre, making it a popular choice when you specifically want a cotton thread.

Gutermann Natural Cotton is particularly useful when:

• You're quilting

• You're making patchwork

• You're sewing primarily with cotton fabrics

• You want a natural-fibre thread

• You want your thread to be cotton rather than polyester

Which Is Best for Quilting?

Both threads can be used for quilting, but if you're specifically looking for 100% cotton thread, Natural Cotton is the obvious choice.

Quilting frequently involves cotton fabrics, and many quilters prefer to use cotton thread alongside their cotton patchwork fabrics.

Natural Cotton is therefore particularly well suited to:

Piecing quilt blocks

Patchwork

General quilting projects

Cotton fabric projects

That doesn't mean polyester thread can't be used for quilting. Your choice ultimately comes down to the characteristics and finish you want from the project.

Which Is Best for Patchwork?

For patchwork, Gütermann Natural Cotton is an excellent option if you want to use cotton thread.

Patchwork often involves joining multiple pieces of cotton fabric together, so a cotton thread can be a natural choice.

The wide range of colours also makes it easier to find a shade that coordinates with your fabrics.

For particularly colourful quilts, having several thread colours available can be useful.

That's where a Gutermann thread set can also make sense.

Browse our Gütermann Thread Range

Which Is Best for Dressmaking?

For general dressmaking, Gütermann Sew-All is usually the more versatile choice.

Polyester thread is commonly used for garment construction because of its useful strength and durability characteristics.

If you're making dresses, tops, trousers, skirts or other everyday clothing, Sew-All provides a versatile option for construction seams.

However, the choice can also depend on the fabric.

If you're making a garment from cotton and specifically want a cotton thread, Natural Cotton may still be appropriate.

Which Should I Use for Cotton Fabric?

This is where things get slightly more interesting.

Just because you're sewing cotton fabric doesn't mean you have to use cotton thread.

You can use either.

Choose Natural Cotton if:

• You want cotton thread

• You're making a quilt or patchwork project

• You're working predominantly with natural fibres

• The natural fibre composition of the thread is important to you

Choose Sew-All if:

• You want a versatile polyester thread

• You're making clothing

• You're working with several different fabric types

• You want a good general-purpose thread

So don't feel that cotton fabric automatically means cotton thread.

Which Is Better for Sewing Machines?

Both.

Gütermann Sew-All and Natural Cotton can both be used with household sewing machines.

The important thing is to select an appropriate needle and machine setting for the fabric and thread you're using.

For any new combination of fabric and thread, it's a good idea to test your settings on a scrap of fabric first.

This allows you to check:

• Stitch formation

• Thread tension

• Needle choice

• Stitch length

• Fabric feeding

• Overall appearance

What About Hand Sewing?

Both threads can also be used for hand sewing.

For general repairs and alterations, Sew-All is a useful everyday choice.

Natural Cotton can be particularly appealing for hand sewing projects where you specifically want a cotton thread.

Your choice should ultimately depend on the fabric and the finished result you're looking for.

What About Stretch Fabrics?

Neither Sew-All nor Natural Cotton is specifically designed to provide highly elastic seams.

If you're sewing a stretch fabric and need the seam itself to stretch with the fabric, Gütermann Maraflex is the specialist thread to consider.

Maraflex is designed to create flexible seams using a conventional straight stitch and can provide up to 80% seam stretch.

Shop Gütermann Maraflex Elastic Sewing Thread

For more information, see our full Gütermann Sewing Thread Guide.

Gütermann Sew-All vs Natural Cotton: Which Should You Buy?

Here's the simplest way to decide.

Choose Gütermann Sew-All if you:

✓ Want an everyday general-purpose sewing thread

✓ Make clothes or garments

✓ Carry out repairs and alterations

✓ Sew lots of different fabrics

✓ Want polyester thread

✓ Want a versatile thread for your sewing machine

Choose Gütermann Natural Cotton if you:

✓ Want 100% cotton thread

✓ Make quilts

✓ Do patchwork

✓ Primarily sew cotton and natural-fibre fabrics

✓ Prefer a natural-fibre thread

✓ Want cotton thread for your sewing projects

What If I Need Lots of Colours?

If you're regularly sewing different fabrics, buying individual spools can quickly become expensive.

A Gutermann thread set can be a convenient way to build up a useful collection of colours in one purchase.

Sets can be particularly useful for:

• Quilters

• Patchworkers

• Dressmakers

• New sewists

• Crafters

• Sewing rooms

• Gifts for sewing enthusiasts

If you already know exactly which shade you need, an individual spool is still the best option.

But if you want a selection of commonly used colours, a set can be a much easier way to build your collection.

Explore Gütermann Thread Range

The Bottom Line

There's no universal winner between Gütermann Sew-All and Gütermann Natural Cotton.

They're designed for different preferences and applications.

Gütermann Sew-All is the versatile polyester general-purpose thread that's ideal for everyday sewing, dressmaking, repairs and a wide range of fabrics.

Gütermann Natural Cotton is the 100% cotton option, making it particularly attractive for quilting, patchwork, cotton fabrics and projects where you specifically want a natural-fibre thread.

And if you're sewing stretch fabrics and need a flexible seam, Gütermann Maraflex is the specialist option to look at instead.

At The Yorkshire Sewing Guy, we stock all three so you can choose the thread that's right for your project.

Browse all Sewing Threads

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Gütermann Sew-All cotton or polyester?

Gütermann Sew-All is a polyester sewing thread. It is designed as a versatile general-purpose thread for a wide range of sewing applications.

Is Gutermann Natural Cotton 100% cotton?

Yes. Gütermann Natural Cotton is made from 100% cotton.

Is polyester thread stronger than cotton thread?

Polyester generally offers greater strength than cotton thread of comparable size, although thread performance also depends on its construction and intended application.

Can I use Gutermann Sew-All for quilting?

Yes. Sew-All can be used for quilting, although if you specifically want a 100% cotton thread, Gütermann Natural Cotton is the more obvious choice.

Can I use Gütermann Natural Cotton for dressmaking?

Yes. Natural Cotton can be used for general sewing and dressmaking. However, for a versatile everyday polyester thread, Gutermann Sew-All is another option to consider.

Can I use both cotton and polyester thread in the same sewing room?

Absolutely. Having both can be useful because different projects can benefit from different thread types.

Which Gutermann thread is best for stretch fabric?

Gütermann Maraflex is the specialist option for flexible seams and stretch fabrics. It is designed to provide up to 80% seam stretch when used correctly.

Should I buy individual spools or a Gutermann thread set?

If you know exactly which colour you need, buy an individual spool. If you want several colours or are building your sewing collection, browsing our Gütermann thread range can help you find a suitable option.