If you're new to felt crafting, you've probably noticed that cross-stitch or thread stitch seems to be the go-to for most felt crafters. And it's no wonder—cross-stitch wire harnesses are available in millions of colors, are inexpensive, and are easy to store and transport. How easy is it to store? How about using over 100 colors in 3 inches of space? More on that below.
One of the best things about using felt is its wide range of colors and ease of use on smaller projects and detail work. But all those little patches of color add up to a lot of lines. Embroidery or cross-stitch thread can cost up to 80% less than traditional spools. (Translation: 16 strands of cross-stitch thread with 2 spools of standard thread.) You may also find yourself working with felt shades that you don't use often or sewing very small details, and don't see the need to invest in larger spools of sewing.
Traditional spools are round and tend to roll around them, which, while useful on a sewing machine, can be annoying when crafting by hand. The spools lay flat and just want to be thrown into a project bag for crafting on the go. Cross-stitch thread has little sheen, so it blends easily into dense felt. The cotton in embroidery floss is not as strong as typical bobbins, but this is usually not a problem.
Cross-stitch or embroidery floss is easy to find. Many big box stores now only sell thread in a few shades, but still offer embroidery thread in dozens of shades. Since most felt work is hand-stitched, the aggravation of the split thread seems like a small price to pay in exchange for a wide selection of easy-to-position, portable, space-saving, inexpensive colors.
Embroidery or cross-stitch thread of varying thicknesses is used for running stitches and French knots on felt.
#25 cotton embroidery floss is the most commonly sold type and has six strands twisted into one thick thread. Most sewing projects are completed by separating 1 or 2 strands from the harness after the harness has been cut to the desired length. Sometimes you'll want a thicker thread for a tighter hold, visible stitching, or fill in details.
For larger products or frequently used colors, standard thread spools are still the better choice, as untangling all those threads can be time consuming.
Embroidery floss also comes in silk, linen, glitter, metallic, and even glow-in-the-dark!
