Has anyone had any practical experience using the Spectra/Dyneema/UHMWPE fishing "superlines" as thread? I know (from horrible experience) that the stuff can slice through your skin pretty easily, and that makes me wonder if it can and/or does the same thing to fabrics.

JCWolhschlag - I've used spiderwire to sew a variety of items and have never had any problem. For example, I sew leashes and collars for my dogs using webbing and spiderwire and have never had a problem with cutting. The leashes get a lot of stress put on them. But, to be fair, the webbing is usually made of very tough fibers so they would be hard to cut.

I have sewn or repaired backpacks and bags made of cordura and extremely lightweight siltarp using spiderwire without any cutting problem.

That said, I wound imagine that if you sew a button onto a cotton shirt by throwing a few loops of spiderwire and the button gets yanked that the cotton cloth will fail before the spiderwire would. I don't know if that is a good thing or a bad thing.

Sewing machines also have a very efficient way to spin the thread on the bobbins so you do not need to get out a spindle and drill, just ask the machines owner

I'm too lazy to go back and read all of the previous posts on this topic, so if this is a repeat I apologize.

You could go to any Tandy leathercraft store and get a spool of thread for a stitching awl. They are not quite as flat as Dougs, but are close...

FWIW: In bead work I use Dandyline bead thread by Beadalon which I get from craft stores, label says waterproof and uv/abrasion resistant and while I have never left it in the sun this is one mean thread. The .008" size says 20 lb break strength but there are 2 sizes and 2 colors w and b. Very tough to cut through it. I haven't checked but Wally World might carry it.

All I can say is Ebay.........lol I bought this.

http://cgi.ebay.com/1lb-Roll-US-GOVT-V-T...1QQcmdZViewItem

My Bad...lol posted twice sorry.

6,300 Yards! you will never run out