Embroidery opens up a whole new world for people who are passionate about sewing. It allows them to create amazing designs and customize their work that provides a sort of signature branding for those who are serious about making a living out of sewing. Embroidery is also a practice for people who practice sewing as a hobby, allowing them to make amazing pieces of clothing and other fabrics that are unique and stand out of the crowd.
Naturally, embroidery requires that you use a special type of thread and, if you’ve never done this before, choosing the right type of thread can be a bit puzzling. Thankfully, we are here to help you with your new mission of finding the best embroidery thread.
Quick Comparison of 5 Best Embroidery Threads
IMAGE | BRAND | FEATURES | ||
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Simthread 63 Brother Colors |
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Mira HandCrafts Premium |
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ThreadworX Wildflowers |
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ThreadNanny Metallic Embroidery Threads |
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Embroidex Polyester Embroidery |
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Quick Embroidery Thread Guide
Now that we’ve established the fact that embroidery can be used to create intricate and amazing custom designs, let’s discover some of the types of embroidery thread that you can find on the market:
Cotton
Cotton embroidery thread is a remarkable option. Much like in the fabric industry, the very best type of thread is that made from Egyptian cotton, which has a long staple and is strong. There are certain varieties of cotton out there that have a matte finish. If you do embroideries with a special sewing machine, using cotton thread will help you achieve stitches that are similar to hand-embroidery.
Rayon
Rayon thread is very easy to find, and a lot of different people use rayon for their embroidery projects. This type of thread is made using organic cellulose and the embroideries made with it have a really nice shine to them. However, there is a major downside to rayon thread, and that is the fact that it fades with time.
Polyester
Polyester threads are really strong and also very popular amongst people who use sewing machines for embroidery. One of the main advantages of using this type of thread is the fact that it’s fade and bleach resistant. They are often used for making towels and linens. If you happen to find trilobal polyester yarns, know that they are strong because of their multiple filament construction.
Metallic
Metallic thread is super-easy to recognize due to its very specific appearance. They can add a certain special effect to your embroidery projects. Metallic threads have narrow weights that can be stitched on top of the fabric or thicker weights that make them better for couching on the surface of your projects. These types of threads are available in pearl cotton, single-ply, or floss varieties.
Silk
Silk threads are known for the material’s ability to absorb dyes as few others can. They are as strong as polyester but very smooth to sew. Silk is easy to recognize thanks to its distinctive sheen. If you’re looking for threads for machine embroidery, you want to opt for 30 to 50.
Extra Shopping Tips
Knowing what the different types of available thread are, there are a few extra things that you should know about before you actually go shopping for this type of product:
- Embroidery threads have a little something that’s called weight, and the weight of the thread is very important. This weight is pretty counterintuitive, because the thinner and finer the thread is, the higher its weight will be. Sewing threads typically have a weight of 50, while embroidery threads are a 40 (could also be a 30).
- If you’re looking for a thread that’s good for heirloom embroidery, you can look for 80 to 100 wt.
- There is a difference between sewing thread and embroidery thread, so you can’t expect to try and replace one with the other. Embroidery threads are shinier compared to sewing thread and are designed to work with high-speed sewing machines.
- Make no mistake, the quality of the embroidery thread you use will have an impact on how the end result will look like.
Top 5 Embroidery Thread Reviews
So, what is the best choice? That depends on what you have in mind. In the following paragraphs, we are going to show you some exceptional choices in terms of machine embroidery thread reviews as well as best hand embroidery thread options, some that you are bound to like for your future projects.
1. Simthread 63 Brother Colors Polyester Machine Embroidery Thread
- Type of thread: polyester
- Number of spools: 63
- Thread length: 1,100 yards
Let’s talk about some quality polyester embroidery thread which is designed for use with a sewing machine. This thread is compatible with multiple embroidery machine brands that you’ve surely heard of, such as Janome, Brother, Babylock, or Singer.
The set includes 63 spools of thread, each with its own color, but also a color cheat sheet to help you identify your options faster. Tested and approved for being non-toxic and BPA-free, these threads are designed to embellish your projects and help you step up your embroidery game without having to pay a small fortune for a complete set of colors.
Who Should Buy This?
If you own an embroidery machine and would like a full set of threads and colors to experiment with, this is one of the choices that should be at the top of the list.
Pros:
- 63 colors.
- 1,100 yards per spool.
- Tear-away stabilizer.
- BPA-free.
- Multiple embroidery machine compatibility.
Cons:
- Can’t order single colors.
2. Mira HandCrafts Premium Rainbow Color Embroidery Floss
- Type of thread: cotton
- Number of spools: 105 skeins
- Thread length: 8.75 yards
Next up, we have an impressive 105 skeins pack that features a variety of 35 colors to astonish everyone who is passionate about embroidery and like to have a multitude of colors to experiment with and create beautiful designs. Made entirely out of cotton, each of these threads promise an exquisite embroidery experience.
Each of the skeins measures 8.75 yards in length and is made out of six strands. With every order, you will receive the very same colors each time, so there are no surprises from one pack to another, allowing your projects to have continuity when you order more packs.
Who Should Buy This?
If you don’t have an embroidery sewing machine or simply like making all your embroidery designs by hand, you can order the Mira HandCrafts set with full confidence that you’ll be receiving a quality product.
Pros:
- 35 colors.
- 105 skeins.
- Long-stable cotton.
- Includes 10 needles.
Cons:
- True colors seem a bit faded.
3. ThreadworX Wildflowers 10592 – Pastel Rainbow Variegated Embroidery Floss
- Type of thread: cotton
- Number of spools: 5 or 20 with one yard each
- Thread length: 5 yards/20 yards
Let’s look at a thread that’s a bit different compared to the other types we’ve seen here today. This is a cotton thread that is available in a pastel rainbow color to delight every creative embroidery passionate out there. What makes this thread so special is the cotton construction, but also the fact that it’s hand-dyed in an amazing pastel rainbow.
You can opt between five or 20 yards skein, but either of the two choices will come in separate pieces that measure one yard each. The cotton can be separated into six smaller threads if that helps you on your projects. It can be used together with DMC embroidery floss.
Who Should Buy This?
If you’re looking for a different type of thread, one that comes in a rainbow scheme instead of a monochromatic thread, this is one of your best options.
Pros:
- Can be separated into smaller threads.
- Amazing rainbow pastel color.
- Made of quality cotton.
Cons:
- Short in length.
4. ThreadNanny Metallic Embroidery Threads
- Type of thread: metallic
- Number of spools: 20
- Thread length: 1,100 yards
There is nothing that can compare to the looks of the best metallic embroidery thread and this set is here to prove it. With 20 spools each of a different color, this purchase gives you 1,100 yards per each spool, which is more than enough materials to help you see a series of projects through to the end.
Being very resistant, but also giving that true metallic finish to your designs, these threads can be a little frustrating because the thickness of the thread might take some time to get adjusted to and working with it isn’t that easy for everyone. However, once you’re mastered the use of this thread, your embroidery design will have a very special glow to them.
Who Should Buy This?
If you’re looking to add more shine and shimmer to your embroidery project through the use of metallic thread, this set is one of the best options out there.
Pros:
- 1,100 yards per spool.
- Tear-resistant.
- 20 different colors.
- Fade-resistant.
Cons:
- Difficult to work with.
5. Embroidex Polyester Embroidery Machine Thread
- Type of thread: polyester
- Number of spools: 40
- Thread length: 550 yards
Here we have a set of 40 spools, each one in an amazing color that will boost up your future embroidery projects up to a point where you can make almost anything thanks to this amazing color range. Each of the spools has polyester threads that are super resistant in terms of durability and color power.
Each of the spools measures 550 yards in length, which should have you covered for quite a few future projects. They are designed to be used for machine embroidery and are compatible with well-known sewing machine brands, including Singer, Janome, Bernina, and Brother.
Who Should Buy This?
The Embroidex thread is perfect for people who use an embroidery sewing machine and are looking to create designs that are color fade-resistant, will withstand the test of time, and can be washed multiple times, even with bleach.
Pros:
- 40 spools.
- Fade-resistant.
- Good tensile strength.
- Bleach-resistant.
Cons:
- Complaints about thread breaks.
Conclusion
One of the best things about embroidery thread is the diversity of the materials that are used to make them. It is amazing to see how the very same embroidery design can look so different once you switch the material that you’re using. From metallic to cotton, each of the options you have comes with its own set of perks and unique visuals that allow you to put your imagination to the test and see what new designs you can come up with.