Embroidery refers to an art process that beautifully mixes textures, colors, and intricate designs to make spectacular decorative designs on fabric. One of the most important elements in machine embroidery is the embroidery threads. You need to select a thread of the best quality since it plays an important role in deciding your embroidered design’s appearance, general quality, and durability. Since several varieties of embroidery threads are available, it’s important to understand the various types of threads to be utilized in machine embroidery and their characteristics.
With the help of several embroidery threads available, you can easily unleash endless creative possibilities and have excellent results in your projects. In this article, let’s explore the types of embroidery threads, their characteristics, and their purpose. This exploration will provide you with important knowledge to improve your machine embroidery creativity despite being a curious beginner or a seasoned embroiderer.
What Are Embroidery Threads
Embroidery threads are special threads made for creating your embroidery designs. Moreover, embroidery threads are made using different materials, and they are available in different colors, thicknesses, and textures. In addition, embroidery threads are utilized to stitch decorative patterns, designs, lettering, etc., onto fabric with the help of a needle and a machine.
Apart from offering design and color, embroidery threads serve other purposes. That is, they contribute to the general visual appeal of embroidery, add dimension to stitched areas, add texture, and improve the durability of the finished design. Selecting the appropriate embroidery thread significantly affects the quality and appearance of your final embroidered design.
Embroidery threads come in different types, and every type has its characteristics. Let’s have a look at some of the embroidery thread types available.
Types Of Threads Used In Machine Embroidery
Polyester Machine Embroidery Thread
Polyester embroidery thread is more utilized by most commercial enterprises because of its durability, firmness, color collection, etc. Moreover, among the best features of the polyester thread is that it’s not affected much by bleaching agents, thus retaining its color even after several years. Moreover, it’s also stronger, unlike other threads. With a polyester thread, you’ll work smoothly with an embroidery needle to make your projects look pro.
Polyester embroidery thread is best for creating embroidered clothes for people of all ages. To make creative designs, this polyester embroidery thread will assist even in making a very fine design since it shows its affinity with an embroidery machine.
Polyester Thread Types
- Filament polyester
- Spun polyester
- Trilobal polyester
Pros
- Nice shine
- Durable, suitable for heavy-duty use
- Recovers stretch
- Has more tensile strength
- Machine washable
- Retains its color
- Retains its shape
Cons
- It’s very elastic, unlike rayon
- Not tolerance to Lower temperature compared to rayon
Rayon Machine Embroidery Threads
This is one of the most used threads in embroidery machines. This thread type works consistently well with a high-speed embroidery machine since there is minimal or no thread fraying or breaking. In addition, this is a high-sheen embroidery thread, and it’s normally utilized as a low-cost substitute for silk threads. Most of the Rayon embroidery threads come in 40wt or 30wt.
Rayon machine embroidery threads are available in shades and colors, including variegated hues. Rayon embroidery threads aren’t colorfast, but it’s best not to use bleaching agents, including those meant for hues. Moreover, the stitches sewn using rayon threads are consistent and smooth, leading to the best quality embroidery project.
However, rayon threads quality decreases over time; thus, you need to be careful about how you store them. If residing in regions with low humidity, store these rayon threads in the refrigerator to prolong the thread life.
Because of its softness, this thread is best suited with fine and less detailed embroidery designs. It’s also the best option when operating with lace.
Pros
- Offers high sheen
- It’s softer
- Resistant to heat
- It’s less elasticity, unlike polyester
Cons
- It’s not colorfast
- Not as tough as polyester
- It’s less durable compared to polyester
Silk Machine Embroidery Thread
Apart from being elastic, silk is also a very strong thread. It’s also one of the very attractive fibers that occur naturally. Moreover, silk features a very high sheen and creates a distinctive appearance when utilized in an embroidery project. The best quality silk in the market is pure filament silk. Its fibers don’t need spinning since silk occurs in long strands naturally from the silkworm. The spun silks are from the shorter fibers of broken cocoons.
Projects made using silk thread can be washed gently using a washing machine and mild soap. In addition, bleaching agents shouldn’t be used since they can cause thread damage.
Pros
- It’s elastic
- It’s very strong
- Makes attractive designs
- Offers high sheen
Cons
- Unsuitable for use with bleaching agents
Metallic Machine Embroidery Thread
These threads are made from a core thread enfolded with polyester film or metallic foil. Moreover, metallic thread adds a shiny and metallic effect to every embroidery design. This makes it suitable for use in decorative designs.
There are different qualities of metallic thread, and they range from high to low. However, a good metallic thread doesn’t need a lubricant.
A best-quality metallic thread should have a nylon core, rice paper construction, and an outer coating. The nylon core makes the thread stronger and more tangling-resistant. The rice paper construction makes the thread stronger, supple, and softer. This decreases the wiry feeling and reduces tangling. The outer coating improves the quality of the thread. Those threads without an outer coating mean their metal foil will rub against the sewing needle, which creates heat and friction. As a result, it will lead to shredding and discoloring.
Pros
- It’s colorfast
- Suitable for creating the hologram effect due to its brilliant and reflective colors
- It’s resistant to heat
Cons
- The thread breaks easily
- Rethreading is a time-consuming and irritating process
Cotton Machine Embroidery Thread
This thread is derived from natural fiber and offers a matte finish. Moreover, the thread is suitable for use in several embroidery designs which needs to have a vintage look. In addition, cotton threads come in different colors and weights, offering an attractive soft sheen. Cotton thread works well with several embroidery machines, but you must test it to ensure it runs smoothly.
Moreover, cotton threads are available in very fine ranges, making them suitable for delicate and intricate work.
The cotton threads available include Mercerized, Gassed, Glazed, and Cotton-wrapped poly. With mercerized, the cotton thread is treated with a solution that causes the fibers to swell, allowing the dye to penetrate to improve thread strength and luster. Gassed cotton thread is passed via a flame at a very high speed to decrease the fuzz. Glazed cotton thread is treated together with chemicals and wax. It’s then polished to offer a higher luster. This results in a glossy and hard finish. The cotton-wrapped poly thread contains one-third cotton and two-thirds poly.
Pros
- It’s soft
- It’s durable
- Made from natural fiber
- Easy to care
- Available in different thread weights
Cons
- Not as sturdy as polyester
- Its color is more affected by sunlight
- Easily breaks because it’s lightweight
Conclusion
With machine embroidery, thread quality will be determined by the material and cost. The best quality embroidery thread withstands shredding or breaking; hence they are suitable for high-speed embroidery machines. The different types of machine embroidery threads include polyester, rayon, cotton, silk, and metallic threads.