Tips for Using Embroidery Thread: Starting and Stopping
Are you ready to explore the many possibilities of embroidery thread?
Embroidery thread, also known as skein cotton, is a type of thread commonly used for cross stitch and other embroidery projects. It is made of cotton and has a slightly shiny appearance. The thread consists of six strands loosely twisted together.
One of the great things about embroidery thread is its versatility.
You can separate the threads and use them individually or in various combinations, depending on the thickness of the lines you want to create in your design. This allows for more complex and detailed stitching.
This page provides a comprehensive guide to using embroidery thread, covering basic techniques such as separating threads, determining the appropriate thread count, securing threads at the beginning and end of a stitch, and advanced methods.
Separating Embroidery Thread
To use embroidery thread effectively, you need to determine the appropriate number of threads to use in your project and separate them from the skein.
For example, you typically use one to three threads at a time, depending on the size of your needle.
How Much Embroidery Thread to Use
This table provides recommended thread counts for counted thread work based on the threads per inch of fabric.
Don't skimp on embroidery thread
Investing in high-quality embroidery thread from reputable brands like DMC, Anchor, Madeira, or Susan Bates, which are known for colorfastness and consistent quality, will produce vivid and long-lasting embroidery projects.
Each brand uses a different color coding system, so a conversion chart can be helpful when substituting between brands.
Many embroidery designers prefer to use a single brand of embroidery thread on a project to maintain consistent color quality and shade, substituting a different brand only when the desired color is unavailable.
Sewing thread, used for machine sewing and tailoring, is thinner than embroidery thread and is not suitable for hand embroidery.
Securing Embroidery Thread
When students ask if they can start with knotting in my embroidery classes, I advise against it because knotting creates an unsightly bump on the back of the piece and can come undone.
When using two strands of embroidery thread, instead of tying a knot, secure the thread using the loop method.
This method involves folding the thread in half, passing the folded end through the needle, and leaving about a third of the looped end loose.
Push the needle through the fabric, leaving a loop of thread on the back. Pull the needle to the back and through the loop. Then, gently tighten the initial stitch. This is a neat and effective way to tie a knot.
However, the downside is that if you make a mistake, it means undoing all the stitches you made with that length of thread, which is time-consuming and wasteful.
Alternatively, thread an 18-inch length of thread through the needle, leaving a short thread tail at the end of the needle.
Start in the middle of the row, push the needle through the fabric, and continue sewing. Leave the remaining thread and come back to it later.
When the first half is used up, secure it and re-thread the remaining loose end.
Start with a waste knot
Temporary waste knots are useful for starting an embroidery project because they can be easily removed once the sewing is complete, leaving no visible knot or bump on the final piece.
Tie a knot at the end of the thread and insert the needle from the front of the fabric, positioning it in the path of the stitch you want to sew.
As you sew, sew the thread on the back to secure it, then cut the knot.
Start with the outside waste knot
Using the outside waste knot will avoid having to sew tails on the back.
Set the knot aside and cut it off after a few stitches. Secure the loose thread by passing it under the six stitches on the back and cutting it off near the stitching.
