| Selecting an embroidery thread can be complicated; | | | | than cotton thread. Polyester thread will stretch when |
| there are many different fibers and weights to choose | | | | pressure is applied. |
| from. We will try and help you to make this decision a | | | | Polyester thread is also available in hundreds of solid |
| little easier. | | | | colors and in variegated as well. 40 weight polyester |
| Your first choice to make will be the fiber that you are | | | | thread is the most popular size, but 30 and 50 weight |
| going to use. Each fiber has its pluses and minuses, so | | | | can be also be purchased. |
| you may need to experiment in order to find the | | | | Popular brands of polyester embroidery thread include |
| perfect fiber choice. You will have to consider thread | | | | Isacord, Mettler, Robison Anton, and Floriani. |
| density and the material that you are embroidering, and | | | | Cotton Embroidery Thread |
| which type of thread works best in your embroidery | | | | Most modern cotton threads are created from long |
| machine. Sometimes the less obvious choice of thread | | | | staple, mercerized fibers. That means that they start |
| will produce the best results, don't be afraid to try | | | | with the long staple thread, which tends to have fewer |
| something different. | | | | lumps of lint spun into the thread and it's also stronger |
| Rayon Embroidery Thread | | | | and finer; and then the manufacturer uses the |
| Rayon thread is the single most popular fiber used for | | | | mercerization process to increase the luster and gloss |
| embroidery. Rayon combines a durable high sheen, | | | | of the cotton thread. |
| good usability in virtually every embroidery machine, | | | | Cotton thread can break when pressure is applied, and |
| and low cost. Rayon thread runs so well in so many | | | | it can fade in the sun. All cotton can shrink when |
| machines that chances are high that you will love the | | | | washed, so be careful. |
| smooth results that it creates. The most common size | | | | Cotton embroidery thread is available in a wide range |
| of Rayon embroidery thread is 40 weight, although 30 | | | | of sizes, from 8 weight to 100 weight. |
| weight is also available. Some lines of rayon | | | | Aurifil, YLI and Gutermann are just three of the |
| embroidery thread have hundreds of colors to choose | | | | prominent manufacturers of cotton thread. |
| from, and variegated embroidery thread | | | | Silk Embroidery Thread |
| On the downside, rayon thread is not normally | | | | Silk embroidery thread is a beautiful, strong, flexible |
| colorfast, and you should avoid using bleach, even | | | | fiber that can be the most beautiful thread available |
| bleach for colors, when washing rayon thread. Rayon | | | | when it is used right. Silk is usually the most expensive |
| also deteriorates over time, so store your thread in a | | | | thread that you can embroider with, so it may not be |
| humid area, like a refrigerator, if you live in a dry area. | | | | right for high density projects. |
| Popular brands of rayon embroidery thread include | | | | You need to be careful when washing silk, use a |
| Robison Anton, and Sulky. | | | | gentle soap and avoid all bleaches. |
| Polyester Embroidery Thread | | | | Manufacturers of silk thread include Tire Thread from |
| Polyester thread is the second most popular type of | | | | Clover, Gutermann, and YLI. |
| embroidery thread, and the gap in popularity between | | | | When you have found the right thread you should |
| the two is small. Polyester embroidery thread is strong, | | | | keep a sample of a successful project stashed in your |
| inexpensive, and colorfast. It also stores more easily | | | | project drawer, with notes attached, so you can avoid |
| and last longer than rayon embroidery thread. They | | | | starting all over in your search for the perfect |
| have a little less sheen than rayon thread, but more | | | | embroidery thread. |