Embroidery thread manufacturer

This Embroidery Thread FAQ Guide is easy to read and understand guide about embroidery thread or embroidery floss.

The term “Embroidery Thread” or “Floss” refers to any single strand of fibers, usually solid and suitable for making decorative stitches.

The guide below will lead you to step by step on finding the right thread for your embroidery project.

Whether you are new to embroidery, a professional seamstress or just curious this guide will help you understand what embroidery thread is made and the different sizes and weights available for your use.

1. What is the best thread for embroidery?

There are many threads available you can choose from to carry out embroidery.

Silk threads are the perfect thread choice when embroidering delicate, luxurious fabrics. They’re soft to the touch and have a gorgeous sheen.

Silk is known for its softness and versatility. However, silk is not as stretchy as rayon.

Silk holds up well under many conditions, including being washed, dried, ironed, and dry cleaned.

When you are shopping for embroidery thread, be sure that you have the correct type for your project because not all threads work the same.

2. What are the different types of embroidery threads?

There are three different types of embroidery threads that are widely used on machines. These threads include

• Cotton
• Rayon
• Polyester

Each thread has its unique characteristics.

Cotton is softest and most absorbent. It takes up the least amount of room in closets and is lightweight, breathable, and comfortable enough to wear to work.

Rayon is one of the softest and lightest fabrics in the garment industry. It’s generally considered the easiest to work with, and is slightly stronger than cotton.

Polyester is one of the most durable and tough threads of all the types of machine embroidery thread. It doesn’t rupture easily, and is also very shiny.

When shopping for embroidery thread, you can choose any one — depending on your requirements, needs, and budget.

3. What is the difference between embroidery floss and thread?

The main difference between embroidery floss and thread is that threads are individual strands of material, and embroidery floss is multiple strands of fibers twisted together.

The number of strands determines the thread’s weight; therefore, Embroidery floss comes in 3, 6, 7, and 8 strands of cotton thread twisted together.

A piece of floss is an excellent option for creating intricate machine embroidery projects due to its small and uniform strands.

On the other hand, a thread is usually larger, thicker, and not tied together uniformly.

4. Is embroidery thread the same as sewing thread?

The texture is the main difference between embroidery and sewing thread. Embroidery thread possesses aesthetically pleasing colors and textures as compare to sewing thread.

Embroidery thread has a lot more sheen than your average sewing thread, which can be an excellent way to distinguish it among a sea of much less visually enticing threads.

Embroidery threads are made with thicker filament, unlike simple threads. Embroidery threads cannot be used in “regular” machines.

5. How many threads do you use for embroidery?

There are many thread choices for embroidery, depending on what the finished project is to be used for.

You can use different types or even multiple threads in an embroidery machine. Silk, cotton, metallic, novelty, and rayon threads are popular choices.

Silk thread comes in size 50, which is excellent for most decorative stitching.

Cotton is a widespread embroidery thread and comes in size 50 or 70, depending on the color of the thread.

Metallic thread comes in various colors added with a metallic finish which makes it stand out on the fabric.

6. Is embroidery thread washable?

Yes, the embroidery thread is washable!

Due to the meticulous process of handloading embroidery floss, it is recommended to wash by hand in warm water using a mild detergent.

If your machine washes embroidery thread, make sure the water is set to the gentle cycle warmly and use a mild soap.

Although Machine washing is not recommended because it will cut your thread’s life short and hassle-free with no linting or bleeding after each wash.

7. Can we use silk thread for embroidery?

Yes, Pure silk thread is perfect for embroidery designs. Embroidery inks that are made of high quality can be used on silk threads.

Silk has its unique look and feels that make it even more appealing.

Keep in mind that silk thread is soft.

It is usually more suited to needlepoint or outlined designs, where the fabric is firmly supported.

Also, keep in mind it doesn’t take much pressure to break a strand of silk thread.

8. Is embroidery thread stronger than regular thread?

Embroidery threads including Cotton, Polyester and Rayon (120D/2, 150D/2) are far stronger as compare to regular thread. The features of rayon and polyester thread are listed below:

• Excellent color fastness
• Extensive color range
• Low shrinkage
• High tenacity
• Abrasion resistance
• Bleach resistance

Therefore, it will not easily break. It can be used in many projects that call for thread in general use.

120D/2 indicates two strands of 120 denier spun together to make 240 denier totals. As this number increases it indicates heavier threads.

9. Do you need a particular thread for the embroidery machine?

Choosing the thread best for your project is a big part of the embroidery.

Popular threads that are widely used for embroidery include cotton embroidery thread, rayon embroidery thread and polyester embroidery thread. You can choose anyone, there characteristics are given below:

Cotton embroidery thread is an extremely popular fabric type for quilters. Although its strength is lesser as compared to rayon and polyester.

Rayon embroidery thread is delicate and easy to work with. Its ability to be ordered in a spectrum of colors and designs makes it the perfect choice for clothing embellishments. Rayon threads are soft and pliable which makes them both comfortable and appealing to the touch.

Strong and durable polyester embroidery thread is constructed from special materials that hold up better than traditional threads. Polyester embroidery thread is not only resistant to chlorine bleach, but adds vivid color to virtually any fabric choice — making it ideal for a wide range of products.

10. What are the needles used for embroidery thread?

Needle types used in embroidery include different sizes 75/11, 80/12, and 90/14.

Deciding on the right size needle for your project can be difficult, especially since there are so many options out there.

The best way to choose needles is to experiment with different sizes and types until you find the needle that works best for you.

Usually, while embroidering the thin needles, small fabrics and thick needles are preferred for large fabrics.

11. What is the difference between rayon embroidery thread and polyester embroidery thread?

Rayon is a rayon fiber that has an incredibly soft feel and is very versatile.

The fibers are more refined than those used in polyester thread production, making them an excellent choice for garments that require a rayon fiber’s softness.

Rayon threads have a little higher sheen as compare to polyester threads have similar sheens. You can use either thread with any fabric without worrying about it fraying or breaking.

Not only is polyester considered an economical and environmentally friendly fabric alternative, but it is also a fabric that can hold up to chlorine bleach.

This means that it resists the breakage that rayon suffers from when exposed to chlorine bleach.

12. Is embroidery thread colorfast?

Embroidery thread is colorfast. This means that the colors do not fade when exposed to sunlight or washing.

In other words, an embroidered piece will look great long after it comes out of the washer and the dryer.

Colorfast embroidery thread is made of natural fibers and does not fade over time under certain conditions – particularly when ironed or exposed to scorching temperatures.

Specialty threads, such as metallic and variegated threads, may bleed and be ruined by washing, while polyester, rayon, and nylon are colorfast threads.

13. Can you use embroidery thread to sew clothes?

Yes, you can use embroidery thread to sew clothes. The most important thing that you should consider before using embroidery thread for sewing jobs is the thread’s weight.

There have been several shirts, t-shirts, pants, and vests made by various people worldwide using this type of thread.

14. Why do you need to choose the right thread to use in embroidery?

Choosing the right thread to use in an embroidery machine or sewing is essential to achieve better results and facilitate work.

There are thousands of kinds of threads on the market. Therefore, finding a good and right kind of thread for your work can be tricky.

The selection of threads for the embroidery machine is essential because of the number of needles and the thread volume used.

Cotton threads can only use some embroidery fabrics, and some are only suitable for polyester threads.

15. How do I stop my embroidery thread from unraveling?

Fortunately, unraveling embroidery thread is usually an easy problem to fix.

You can take a few steps in the stitching process to prevent this from happening as long as you embroider with a good-quality embroidery machine and high-quality thread.

Make sure to use a top-quality needle that works best on fabric and good quality fabric.

Prewound bobbins and spools eliminate snarls that can sometimes develop from handling while preventing your machine from amassing excess thread.

16. Does embroidery thread shrink?

Yes, most embroidery threads do shrink when washed.

Some rayon threads are designed to shrink to a certain percentage of their length to create the embroidery design’s desired effect.

You can also reduce shrinking by using a water-resistant stabilizer beneath your thread while sewing.

However, you should always check with your design to ensure proper stitching and appearance

17. What is the lifetime of Embroidery thread?

The life of embroidery thread depends on the frequency of use. In other words, the more pieces it’s used to stitch, the shorter its lifetime.

As for the embroidery machines, the basic principles are: The better the parts put in, the longer they’ll last.

If you choose a good brand machine and take good care of it and use good quality thread, it will last almost 50 years than those made with inferior parts or cheap thread.

18. What do you do with embroidery thread?

You can use it to make up, start an embroidery project and stitch beautiful designs into your projects.

Two basic types of threads are used for embroidery: spun and twisted.

The spun or cotton thread is generally used in clothing and home décor projects, while the twisted or mercerized cotton thread is used in commercial embroidery, as it has a higher sheen and lasts longer out in the sun.

Embroidery thread is a robust and colored thread used in hand sewing to create shapes on fabric.

19. Can I use embroidery thread for macrame?

The type of thread is one of the most important things to consider when planning a sewing project.

There are also double-sided eye needle hooks explicitly made for macrame. But many macrame projects can be done with yarn, string, or twine.

With the advent of macrame, you can also use embroidery floss to create macrame projects, including hair ties and friendship bracelets.

An essential aspect in deciding to use embroidery thread for macrame is the thread’s size, which means knowing how fine or thick you want your finished product to be regarding your project.

20. What do you mean by machine embroidery thread?

Machine embroidery thread is an essential element of a sewing project.

Machine embroidery thread is a twisted fiber that consists of many strands.

These fibers come in different sizes, colors, and textures. You can find them made from nylon, rayon, and sometimes silk.

You can always pick your thread according to the design you want to embroider.

21. Is there any hand embroidery thread that exists online?

There are plenty of online sellers who are offering Embroidery thread, and you can look for a variety of colors and spun polyester embroidery thread.

Some sellers also offer you a free design sample that could be easily tested for your embroidery project.

Reading customer reviews is always a good idea to get feedback, comments, and specific embroidery threads.

22. How much embroidery thread costs?

Thread is the critical element which is referred to as a base of embroidery. When it comes to price, nothing beats thread when it comes to affordability.

When it comes to high-quality threads, it is recommended to go in 5000-yard cones.

The price for polyester embroidery thread is $0.7 is for a 5,000-yard cone.

For rayon this price increases from $0.7 to $1.5 per 5000 yards.

Although the price may differ depending upon the size of packs and color shades in which embroidery thread available.

23. What is butterfly embroidery thread?

Butterfly embroidery thread is a premium cotton embroidery thread from America, China. The material is closely twisted multicolored cotton, a large number of flat or round flour circles are tightly twisted.

The process made by multi-color cotton intertwines to form one compact body appears more like a butterfly flights to shake their wings, hence the name Butterfly thread.

It can make designs more distinctive and unique.

Besides the basic materials of polyester, viscose, and cotton, butterfly embroidery thread can also be made using silk, metallic thread, fluorescent fiber, glitter fiber, etc.

24. How is embroidery thread made?

Embroidery thread is made from a variety of materials, including polyester, cotton, and rayon.

The process of manufacturing embroidery thread includes the following steps:

A particular type of yarn is made first.

The yarn is then twisted into a thread.

The thread is then made into a cord, and finally, it is made into embroidery skeins.

If you see a ball of thread with a waxy or oily appearance, it probably means that it’s been treated to make it colorfast for use in embroidery or quilting projects.

25. Can the embroidery thread be used for quilting?

Yes, it can.

And because of the different qualities and thread thicknesses available, embroidery thread is easier to use for quilting than cotton or floss.

When using embroidery thread for quilting, some guidelines should be kept in mind, such as: avoid heavy and coarse stitching by using a thinner thread, when using more than three colors, choose the lightest color of the three as the background color to make them show more clearly, wash completed projects in cold water so that fabric dyes don’t run and colors don’t fade.

26. What causes embroidery thread shredding?

There are multiple reasons why your embroidery thread might shred. This is from improper thread tension to the usage of embroidery threads.

Embroidery thread shredding happens when the stitching is complicated. The threads are either of poor quality or broken.

If you have a heavy-duty machine, the needle might be dull (when the sewing has faded and the threads shred easily).

The absence of lubricants causes embroidery thread shredding also.

Thread shredding is an issue that may involve or affect any thread like cotton, linen, metallic, silk, novelty threads, and others.

27. How to cut embroidery thread without scissors?

A good rule of thumb is to let the thread be long enough so you can easily handle the embroidery work on the hoop.

Having excess thread will result in frustration as it tangles or gets caught up under the presser foot.

Some stitchers like to run a piece of masking tape across the spool and stop winding when the sticky stuff shows up.

If you’re not using a pattern, leave a tail hanging when you start your project and trim off any excess at the end.

28. What is the difference between embroidery thread and yarn?

Yarn is a valuable tool for the creation of many different textiles and home crafts.

Embroidery threads are not twisted together; instead, they have been formed into small strands using a process called stitching.

Yarn is spun, which means it has been twisted together to create a long thread.

It comes in different grades suitable for making different fabric types, including crocheting, knitting, rope making, sewing, and weaving.

Thread is a very versatile substance that can be used for sewing by hand or machine.

29. Can I use a machine embroidery thread for hand embroidery?

Yes, you can use a machine embroidery thread for hand embroidery.

Machine embroidery threads are made up of fabulous individual strands, and most of these can be sewn on with standard sewing needles.

However, the size and thickness of the needle you use will depend upon the thread’s size and thickness and the type of fabric you are sewing on.

If you want an appliqué to look professional, you should use a thicker thread because it is easier to sew using a thicker thread than focusing on a beautiful, thin strand with a small needle.

30. What can I use instead of embroidery thread?

There are endless possibilities for what you can use instead of embroidery thread.

Use colorful ribbons, string, yarn, or other items you have lying around the house to practice your stitching or embellish your craft projects.

You can use regular sewing thread instead of embroidery thread.

Although many threads will look too thin for the job, if you carefully select a like weight of thread and make sure it is 100% cotton, the work will turn out just fine.

31. Is embroidery thread the same as cross-stitch thread?

Yes and no. Embroidery thread is usually a 3-ply thread, which means it goes through 3 stages of manufacturing: twisting the fibers together, coating the twisted strands with plastic, and coating the strand with varnish.

In contrast, cross-stitch is made from 1 piece of cotton that is dyed after being spun.

This makes cross-stitch a 4-ply thread because the end product goes through 4 stages of manufacturing: twisting the fiber strand into yarn, dyeing the yarn to make it colorful, spinning the yarn into thread finally coating it with varnish.

32. How do I make tassels with an embroidery thread?

You can make a tussle by following steps: Cut the fabric into pieces 1 inch wide and as long as you would like them.

Separate each piece into two even strands of thread. Holding two strands together, tie a double knot at one end.

Embroidery thread is ideal for making tassels because it’s robust, hide-able, and become more supple over time.

The best embroidery threads for making tassels are 100% rayon.

The most popular rayon thread colors include bronze, copper, lime green, orange, red, pink, and white.

33. What are the common embroidery thread problems?

The major problem encountered with embroidery thread is the breaking of threads.

The number of threads manufactured in any factory will never meet the needs of the embroiderers.

Moreover, these threads are not uniform since several variables affect the quality of thread produced by different factories.

Some of these variables are; machines used for production, geography, climatic conditions, maintenance & supervision, and workers’ manufacturing skills on various shifts.

These problems are difficult to eradicate from the industry due to their very nature.