Thread

[momto3fatdogs]

I have been lurking here for a few weeks & have read a lot of good information. Right now any upholstery I "do" is merely a hobby. But..........I like to work with quality products! Hobby or not. The members on this forum appear to be super helpful so here's my question: Brand of thread? Weight? Where can I buy it? (pretty sure I'll have to buy it on line RETAIL - no tax ID #) I have ordered an industrial walking foot machine (I guess it's really a walking needle?) & 5 thread serger. Both used. Do I use the same thread in the serger as I do in the sewing machine? I'd like to buy the thread in cones & not on regular DSM spools. The fabric weights I primarily use are: Upholstery , drapery, duck, canvas, vinyl. No leather. Gotta have those heavier machines as I have all but ruined my Janome serger. That "little" serger is great for knit & woven apparel weight fabrics, but upholstery or drapery? Not so much.

Y'all's help is greatly appreciated & Thanks in advance.

Sam

[sofadoc]

While some wholesale suppliers are very reluctant to send out free fabric sample books to new start-up businesses, I would think that they will accept you as a wholesale client for supply items, such as thread. But I could be wrong. Anyway........the difference between wholesale and retail pricing ain't what it used to be. I've ordered a couple of things from Rochford supply before. They didn't ask me for a Tax#.

For indoor furniture, I primarily use 69 nylon. I use 46 nylon occasionally on light upholstery fabrics. I use 92,138 polyester on patio cushions. I buy my thread from delivery trucks, and I honestly couldn't tell you what brand it is.

[Alsworld]

Hi Sam!,

I only recently got my tax ID to purchase wholesale but all my thread was purchased online or locally paying retail.  Do you have any upholstery supply stores near you?  There are tons of places that do not require anything other than your money.  You can PM if you need help with that but I would suggest looking at the places that support this forum and you will be pleased at the availability.  For me I use exclusively #69 thread as it's the largest that I can in my machine.  We used nylon 69 for much of our sewing needs on survival equipment in the US Navy and it can take quite a bit of abuse with much longevity.  I usually use a size 16, 18 or 20 needle depending on what I am sewing.  If your projects are exposed to the weather and sun, I would recommend a marine grade polyester thread of the same size.

Many here who do boats seats and covers will use a larger thread as it's applicable to what they are doing.  I do look for thread made in America (personal choice) and it's widely available at most of the suppliers.  Your machine you are getting will allow you to most likely use a variety of sizes and needles so I would adjust on what your fabric is.  I do not have any serger experience so can't really assist with that, nor have I used the more expensive threads like Mojo uses on RV awnings and such like Tenera (sp?).


Alan

[sofadoc]

Technically, you don't need a tax ID to purchase from a wholesale supplier. Most of them only require a tax ID if you wish to buy from them without being charged sales tax.

As for whether or not they choose to give you wholesale pricing, that varies from one supplier to the next. Some require verification that you have a legitimate business. Others will sell to anyone with a pulse.

[byhammerandhand]

You can get a "tax ID" (Federal EIN) over the phone in a couple of minutes.

As far as who will sell to you, and whether it's wholesale or retail (sometimes no difference) it's strictly their own policy.   My local upholstery supply house will sell to anyone that can find them.  Same price.  There are other suppliers that sell "to the trade" only (whatever that means).   The local branch of a national picture framing supplier will only sell to you if you have a storefront and do $25K of business with them a year.

Around here, the other magic number is your state vendor ID.  You need this to buy tax exempt for resale or incorporation into a product for sale.

[sofadoc]

I should clarify my post. When I said tax ID #, I was referring to a retail sales tax permit # (what hammer calls a state vendor ID).

EIN is only necessary if you have employees  (for the purpose of witholding SS tax).

When I'm doing work for institutions, or large companies that require a W-9 form, I just use my SS#. I've never had an EIN.

I don't remember any wholesale suppliers ever asking for my EIN, or SS#. And they only require a sales tax ID if I don't want to be charged tax on my purchases.

[byhammerandhand]

True, if you are a sole proprietor.  Partnership or corporation, or a few other situations, you need it.
http://www.irs.gov/Businesses/Small-Businesses-&-Self-Employed/Do-You-Need-an-EIN%3F

BUT, you can have an EIN as a sole proprietor -- I do because I don't want to give out my SSN to vendors.

LLCs are strange entities.   They are set up by your state and ignored by the feds.  There's a "recognized" structure under them - sole prop / partnership / corporation.   IRS calls it a "disregarded entity."

EIN is only necessary if you have employees  (for the purpose of withholding SS tax).

When I'm doing work for institutions, or large companies that require a W-9 form, I just use my SS#. I've never had an EIN.

[gene]

As a sole proprietor you do not need an EIN unless you have employees.

If you own an LLC with only one member and no employees and you choose to pay federal taxes not as a corporation, you do not need an EIN.

Many banks will require an EIN if you want a business checking account.

The primary benefit of owning an LLC is that your personal money is separate from your business money. If your LLC gets sued, your personal assets are usually protected from that law suit.

Using an EIN for business rather than an SSI is one way to help prevent ID theft.

There are states that are LLC friendly, and those that are not. Here in Ohio it costs $125 (one time fee) and a form to fill out to have an LLC. California charges $800 per year and I think PA charges $600 per year.

It's very easy here in Ohio to have an LLC and the benefits are well worth it. One benefit is that an owner (Member) of an LLC can file a criminal complaint or file a civil suit on behalf of his/her LLC without an attorney - as well as respond to a criminal complaint or a civil suit (in most cases). Corporations must have attorney representation.

I have also found that an LLC can look more professional and can give a more 'business' impression than a sole proprietor.

I never use my SSI number for business, only my EIN. For anything related to business I sign my name with "Member" at the end of my name - such as "John Doe, Member".

gene

PS: I just realized that a thread on thread got hijacked. Regarding the initial thread on this thread, you can use serger thread for your serger. It's cheaper than regular thread, and since you'll be using 5, 4, or 3 threads on your serger, that's why it's cheaper. Do not use serger thread for your regular sewing needs.

I use 69# and occasionally 95# with my walking foot machine and 52# mono-filament thread for my other sewing machine. I think I will eventually wind up using mono thread on both of my machines.

[sofadoc]

PS: I just realized that a thread on thread got hijacked.

On a thread about 'thread'
There's light to be shed
But the topic turned
to Tax ID's instead
An EIN, or LLC
can save you some bread
And keep you from ending up
in the red
You can sleep without
fear, worry, or dread
So get an LLC
if you feel led
Then your personal assets
are safe from tread
Unless, of course
you decide to wed
Then you'll be so broke
You'll wish you were dead

[byhammerandhand]

 :)

[momto3fatdogs]

Oh My! What a creative bunch we all seem to be. Just so ya'll know....nobody is in any danger of having any "business" taken away from them! I have a regular full time job & honestly can not afford to shed the bennies it provides me. On a whim I bought a $40 chair from Goodwill and re-upholstered it with fabric I bought witha 50% off coupon and used feet from another chair....It came out AWESOME (if I do say so myself) and it currently resides in our guest room. I have bought some furniture off craigslist to PRACTICE on & make my mistakes. On the chair that I did....I did not use a heavy thread & it's NOT going to stand up to heavy usage. While my upholstery skills are in short supply, my slipcover skills are slightly better. Hence the need for the industrial serger. My Janome is gonna die if I serge one more heavy duty canvas ottoman cover.....I will look through the suppliers available off this site some time this week. Prince Charming & I have been busy this Memorial Day weekend building on our shed...oh how I hate pressure treated plywood! I am going to print off these posts so I have an idea what to look for! Thanks for the advice y'all! Oh- I am in middle TN & there is ONE supply store in Nashville. I bought my staple gun there, nifty little gadget! , and they added like 30% (I could be wrong on that, I didn't even look at the invoice) so I CAN get supplies there. I think.

thanks Y'All !
Sam