What thread to buy?

[MichelleMermaid]

Hi all,

I'm beginning to work on my stash of embroidery threads and wondered if any of you experts...or not so experts :) ...could reccommend some must-haves for me?

I've been working with dmc cotton floss forever and only recently learned about all the silk threads available. I'm waiting on an order of threads that include some ribbon tape, silk ribbon and silk thread...like buttonhole twist, I think. It's not a large order, only a few colors each. I recently purchased some more silk ribbon, too, so I feel like I have a fairly decent supply of that.

I've seen some stitching with jeans stitch thread and thought that looked great. But I kind of get lost in all the different varieties and am not always sure what I am looking for exactly.

If you could give me an idea of a basic "kit" I would appreciate it. I like to work in purples and am getting more interested in improving my embroidery skills and expression through this art. Of course, that's been easy with so much inspiration on this site!

Thanks!

Dakotah

[JoWynn Johns]

If you've been using only the DMC floss, I suggest you get some DMC pearl cottons, in all sizes--#s 3,5,8, and 12. Size #3 is the thickest and #12 is the thinnest. These threads add wonderful texture and they have a lovely sheen.www.herrschners.com has a complete selection and good prices.

[Liz in Kansas]

I've recently been looking at the same thing - expanding my collection of threads. I enjoyed experimenting with assortment packs like the Oliver Twists which are 10 cotton & rayon fibers dyed to match. It's a lot of fun to try the different sizes and types and the colors are amazing. Also, Caron has some nice specialty threads. I have fallen in love with the Soie Cristale! A warning, though. These are quite a bit more expensive than the DMC floss! Watch your wallet!

[MichelleMermaid]

Hi Liz and JoWynn,

Yes, I've definitely noticed the price difference between cotton and silk! But I'm beginning to think the exceptional beauty of the silk threads are worth it.

I forgot to mention I have also been using some pearl cotton in the #8 size, I think. I do like it also, especially the variegated threads. Thanks for the website, I will look it up. I've purchased most of my thread at Hobby Lobby, but at $2.50 a skein it adds up fast. I have been able to get some good deals by watching their clearance isles.

I live in a really small town, so I'm beginning to do most of my stash shopping online. Even the larger towns don't have a very good variety to choose from, even in the specialty cross stitch stores. At least, I haven't been able to locate a good store source yet. I have found the most selection in shops online. Our walmart here also cleared out ALL their dmc floss and anything embroidery related, so I can't even pick up new dmc colors easily.

Oh, I also have some rayon thread, but for a long time was hesitant to use it because it tangles so easily and is a little unwieldy. However, I'm finding a few more uses for it, especially as a type of background feather stitch. It adds a highlight effect.

Thank you for your suggestions! I'm also wondering what stitchers here mainly work with. Do you find you have a favorite brand/type/company and you stick with that? Or do you use different threads for different purposes?

[Shelley]

This is a bit of a difficult question lol! I think it depends upon what you are stitching, the stitches you are using, the background fabric, size of stitches and the purpose of the finished item. Personally speaking, although I use a wide variety of threads, the ones I tend to use most are perle cotton 8, coton-a-broder 16 and crochet cottons 10 or 20 which I dye myself.

[MichelleMermaid]

Hi Mermaid,
Yes, I realize it's a tough question because everyone works differently and each project is unique. I appreciate all the input, however, so Thanks!
BTW, really enjoyed your photos and blog. Your use of color is great, fun and interesting in its detail.
Is it very hard to dye your own threads?

[Shelley]

Hi Michelle

No, it isn't hard to dye threads. There is a tutorial here for space dyeing yarns though it is slightly different to how I usually do mine.

[JoWynn Johns]

Rayon threads behave themselves when slightly moistened or run over Thread Heaven or beeswax.

[JoWynn Johns]

About thread sources--I like www.jdr-be.com for Rajmahal silk threads and their Edmar thread packs. They offer a huge assortment of packs that include several colors and weights of threads plus complementary beads.

I like www.Eterna.com for silk--the best value I've found.

[AnnieB]

I mostly use these for cross stitch, but there are some very reasonably priced hand-dyed DMC cotton threads at Carrie's Threads. Same for hand-dyed silks by Vikki Clayton. Both have a wonder assortment of colors including variegated and multi-color. Just beware that hand-dyeds are not color-fast so be careful about choosing them for anything that will be laundered.

[MichelleMermaid]

Hi Annie,
I went to the Vikki Clayton site and it looks good...lots of variety. However, she says her hand-dydes ARE color fast. Have you tried them and found that not to be true?
Thanks!

[AnnieB]

This is a direct quote from Vikki's site:

"My fibers are hand dyed and are as colorfast as humans and chemistry can make them. I work hard at setting them till they rinse clear but as with all dyed items, some colors have a tendancy to run. "

Click on this article to read more about this. It's also from her site.

I have not had a problem with Vikki's silks, but I don't use them on anything that I would be washing regularly. I just steam iron my stitching with a pressing cloth and try to keep the moisture to a minimum.

I'm about to stitch with some of Carrie's threads and I do know that they might 'run'. I'm stitching something fairly small and I will do it 'in hand', no hoop or frame, so that I won't run the risk of stubborn creases that force me to wet it too much in the end.

I love bright colors and of course, those are the worst for bleeding. Pastels probably don't present quite so much of a problem.

I just wanted to mention the issue since DMC threads are pretty much color fast so you might forget that this can be an issue. And even some bright colors of DMC can run a bit.

[MichelleMermaid]

Thanks Annie,
I must have been reading from a different section and perhaps about a different thread.
I've never washed any of my pieces after the work was done...and to tell the truth I haven't done that many. And using dmc none of them run.
Thanks for the advice. I may do some tests once my new threads arrive.