The thread you choose affects everything about your embroidery: the texture, sheen, weight, and durability of the finished piece. Here's a practical guide to the most common embroidery threads and when to use each one.
Stranded Cotton (Floss)
- ●*What it is**: Six loosely twisted strands that can be separated and recombined.
- ●*Brands**: DMC, Anchor, Cosmo
- ●*Best for**: General surface embroidery, cross stitch, most beginners' projects
- ●*Advantages**: Huge colour range (500+), inexpensive, widely available, versatile (use 1–6 strands to vary weight)
- ●*Limitations**: Not very hardwearing for items that will be laundered frequently
Crewel Wool
- ●*What it is**: Fine, 2-ply wool yarn made specifically for embroidery.
- ●*Brands**: Appleton's, DMC Tapestry Wool
- ●*Best for**: Crewelwork, textured designs, warm/rustic aesthetic
- ●*Advantages**: Beautiful matte texture, excellent coverage, blends well for shading
- ●*Limitations**: Attracts moths, not suitable for very fine detail
Silk Thread
- ●*What it is**: Filament or spun silk thread.
- ●*Brands**: Au Ver à Soie, YLI
- ●*Best for**: Fine work, luxury pieces, goldwork accents
- ●*Advantages**: Beautiful sheen, takes dye superbly (vivid colours), very strong for its weight
- ●*Limitations**: Expensive, more difficult to work with (slippery), light-sensitive
Perle Cotton
- ●*What it is**: A twisted, non-divisible thread with a distinctive sheen.
- ●*Brands**: DMC Perle, Anchor
- ●*Best for**: Decorative borders, Brazilian embroidery, hardanger, bold effects
- ●*Available sizes**: 3 (heaviest), 5, 8, 12 (finest)
- ●*Advantages**: Consistent thickness, good sheen, hardwearing
- ●*Limitations**: Cannot be divided, so you can't vary weight as freely as stranded cotton
Metallic Threads
- ●*What it is**: Synthetic or real metal fibres, often blended with other materials.
- ●*Best for**: Goldwork, accents, festive or ceremonial pieces
- ●*Advantages**: Catches the light like nothing else
- ●*Limitations**: Can be difficult to work with (stiff, fragile, can abrade), requires special needles
Choosing Your Thread
| Project Type | Recommended Thread |
|---|---|
| First project | Stranded cotton |
| Crewelwork cushion | Crewel wool |
| Fine silk shading | Silk thread |
| Bold decorative piece | Perle cotton |
| Formal/ceremonial | Metallic + silk |
| Cross stitch | Stranded cotton |
Working Tips
- ●Thread length: No longer than 18 inches / 45 cm. Longer threads wear and tangle.
- ●Needle match: Thicker threads need larger needle eyes. Wool needs chenille or crewel needles; perle cotton needs chenille needles for thicker weights.
- ●Stripping: When using stranded cotton, always "strip" individual strands and recombine them. This gives smoother stitches than using strands straight from the skein.
- ●Conditioning: Run thread through beeswax or Thread Heaven to reduce tangling, especially with silk and metallic threads.