Among the many varying types of art forms, embroidering fabric designs are prevalent in many cultures. They’re an elegant part of a culture that celebrates creativity and ingenuity in a way that most other art forms cannot comprehend.
People embroider their fabric designs now with the help of helpful and elaborate fabric weaving machines and gadgets.
But before the invention of fabric weavers, people embroidered by hand, which resulted in eloquent and gaudy fabric designs pertaining to their culture.
So, in celebration of the magnanimous art form, we will be discussing some of the best hand embroidery threads that you can use to their full extent to embroider a design of your choice and creativity.
8 Best Hand Embroidery Thread
Having a useful set of embroidery threads can help you go far in your embroidery journey. So here are some threads that we think are best suited for you embroidering by hand.
1. Simthread 63 Brother Polyester Machine Thread
When shopping for embroidery threads, there are many types of threads to choose from. Polyester is an excellent fabric to start with since they’re synthetic and do not break easily from tension. As a result, you can design fantastic embroideries without worrying about breaking them.
The polyester machine thread from Simthread is an excellent option to consider when you are just starting. These threads are made from a 100% polyester content, ensuring maximum tenacity that prevents breakage.
All of the threads in this set have a length of 550 yards or 500 meters for non-Americans. Since you need to use a needle to use these by hand, the recommended needle size is NM 75-90, adequate for all of your needs.
You can use these threads to embroider by hand, but you should achieve a 600-800 RPM speed before putting it in the weaver if you use a machine.
That way, the threads won’t get caught up in the rotator, which would cause a significant amount of damage otherwise.
Pros
- 100% Polyester fabric content
- Super latent tenacity
- Prevents frequent breakage
- Can be used in a machine
- Color-coded package
Cons
- Not suited for sewing purposes
- Uneven in the sides due to having synthetic origins
2. New brothread Multi-Purpose Cotton Thread
If you want your embroidery to be soft and cozy, then cotton threads are your best choice. They’re light in weight, fluffy, and you can also use them to sew your clothing as they are multi-purpose in design.
The cotton thread by New brothread is a competent embroidery thread because they make their threads with 100% mercerized cotton. Meaning the thread is high quality and extra-long in size, resulting in a smooth surface and lesser lint.
Since the threads are multi-purpose in design, you can use them to sew clothing or quilting two layers of fabric with a layer of thick material between them effortlessly. You can also use them in a machine weaver or quilting machine.
One of the more useful aspects of this thread is the spool, which comes with a locking base. With a locking base’s help, the spool stays in place without getting all wound up in the horizontal spool feeds.
Pros
- 100% Mercerized cotton fabric content
- Little to no lint due to cotton content
- Has a multitude of uses
- Can be used to sew or quilt
- Spool with locking base
Cons
- Thick in size
- Not suited for hand sewing
3. CiaraQ Polyester Sewing Thread
Polyester is a shortened name, which stands for polyethylene terephthalate. It is a human-made polymer that is created in the lab by synthesizing different kinds of chemicals.
In essence, it is a product of sheer ingenuity as it is one of the most durable materials out there.
If you want your embroideries to last long, you can safely pick CiaraQ’s polyester threads. They make their threads with high-quality and durable polyester. The plastic reels protect the spools from deformation that is prevalent with fabric threads.
Each spool is about 250 yards, adequate for most of your hand embroidery needs. These threads are sold in an assortment of 30 different colors that are both vibrant and animated.
Someone can look at these threads and say their only purpose is for embroideries, but it is not. These threads can fit many sewing machines, and you can also use them to sew clothing by hand. This reason is why they’re such an excellent choice for embroidering threads.
Pros
- Durable Polyester fabric content
- Plastic reel protection from fabric deformation
- 250 yards in length
- Comes in 30 different colors
- Fits into most sewing machines
Cons
- 1-5mm error due to manual measurement
- Minor generation of lint while embroidering
4. Renashed Cotton Sewing Thread
Since most of our fabric grows on plants, Cotton is no exception. It is a fluffy staple fiber that grows around the seeds of cotton plants. The fiber itself is almost pure cellulose, which under normal conditions will increase the dispersal of seeds.
These cotton threads by Renashed are a lifesaver when it comes to sewing and embroidery purposes. Each spool is carefully swaddled with each other so that they don’t get jumbled up with one another. This reason is why the thread prevents breakage as they will not get entangled in a machine.
As the threads are made from Cotton, they are most suited for garment sewing, sheet linings, or other garment projects. They are perfect for kids who are just starting to sew their own clothing designs and embroideries.
Cotton threads are almost always multi-purpose in design. Meaning, you can use them to embroider by hand or put them in any machine you want.
They design these spools with convenience in mind to not get caught up in the machine weaver or embroiderer.
Pros
- Durable Cotton fabric content
- Spools are individually wrapped
- Prevents breaking easily
- Ideal for kids starting to sew
- Can be used on any machine if necessary
Cons
- 1-3mm error by hand measurement
- A moderate amount of lint generation
5. LE PAON Crochet Thread
The reason why hand embroidery is such a lucrative form of art is because of the many ways you can embroider an attractive design.
And the techniques involved to embroider by hand make it all the more intricate to work with. This aspect of intricacy is why Crochet threads are so popular.
People make these threads by using a crochet hook to interlock loops of yarn and thread. LE PAON’s crochet threads are an excellent place to start if you want them. They make killer embroidery threads for the price, and they’re also environmentally friendly.
Each thread ball weighs about 5 grams, resulting in a thread that is both lightweight and easy to work with. The balls hold 47.5 yards of thread, which comes to 2280 yards in total, judging by the assortment.
Lastly, the threads are built for aspiring crocheters as they are fantastic to cross stitch with. They provide an adequate substitute to linty Cotton as they are both lint-free and thick enough to embroider with.
Pros
- Greatly suited for crocheting
- Light in weight
- Applicable with any sewing or embroidery machinery
- Extra-long in length
- Lint-free cotton fabric content
Cons
- Camera and Real-life displays are not equal
- Not suited for making fleece clothing
6. Brother EBTPE Embroidery Thread
People like polyester clothing because it is an essential component in making sturdy, durable, and tensile clothing. It is used to make athletic jerseys, which almost all athletes use to play to their absolute best in a sports game.
You can check out the polyester threads by Brother, which they specifically make for hand embroidery purposes.
They are a 90-weight variant and come in 5 spools with bobbin pins. These spools are very tough and can withstand any sewing machine’s load.
The threads themselves have a fabric content of 100% polyester, which equates to rugged tensile strength and durability.
They prevent the threads from any machine breakage that could happen while using a sewing or embroidery machine.
Subsequently, the best aspect of these threads is their length. They are 1000 meters each in length, and the spools are individually wrapped. Meaning, you won’t have to worry about running out of embroidery threads any time soon.
Pros
- Entirely made from synthetic polyester fabric material
- 90-weight variant
- Spools equipped with bobbin pins
- 1000 meters in length for each thread
- Actively prevents breaking or dethreading
Cons
- Relatively expensive in comparison to other threads
- Might leave excess dust while working with machines
7. LE PAON Floss Thread
Floss Silk, or Floss for short, is a type of filamentous fabric generated from the malleable, internal covering of a silkworm cocoon.
It is generally defined as a continuous filament. The silk is derived from the cocoon, dyed, and then made into hanks.
Floss can be a great solution for embroidering by hand as they are light in weight and fluffy. Once again, LE PAON is an excellent brand that creates its embroidery threads with utmost passion and dedication.
Moreover, the threads are made from 100% cotton that is mercerized with floss silk. The dimensions for each thread are 5 cm by 5 cm by 4 cm, respectively. The needle size requirement for hand embroideries is 1.0-1.5 mm for a knitting needle.
If you own a washing machine, then these threads should be your top choice. They are machine washable and protect chemical washing agents. The manufacturer does advise you not to whiten or iron the threads as they might get damaged.
Pros
- 100% Mercerized long-staple cotton
- Layered with floss silk fabric
- Light in weight
- Available in a lot of colors
- Machine washable
Cons
- Intolerant against whitening and ironing
- Prone to damage by sharp objects
8. Clan-X Polyester Sewing Threads
By this point, polyester needs no introduction as it has done enough to prove itself worthy of embroidery. It is as strong as it can get, and it actively prevents breakage because of its polymeric structure.
Now, if you’re convinced in the strength of polyester threads and are looking for some, look no further than Clan-X’s threads. They provide an adequate solution for your embroidering needs as they are made with 100% polyester fabric content.
Each spool in the pack contains 250 yards of heavy-duty threads. The package has an assortment of 96 different colors, each one of a bright hue. You can use the spools to embroider beautiful fabric designs as Clan-X guarantees lush and vivid colors.
If you’re worried about washing your embroidered fabrics, then you don’t have to worry at all. The clothes you will make using these threads are machine washable and aptly compatible with chemical cleaning agents as they have polymeric origins.
Pros
- Made from 100% synthetic polymerized ester fabric
- Robust and Durable
- Every spool 250 yards in length
- 96 different vibrant colors
- Can be washed in the machine
Cons
- Breaks when used in sewing machinery
- Spools made with low quality plastic
What to Look for While Buying Hand Embroidery Thread?
When shopping for embroidery threads, you have to look out for some key features that define the thread’s quality. You can follow our guide for choosing a high-quality thread for your needs.
- Thread Count
Just like bed linens, the count of threads in a spool matters a lot in embroidering by hand. The distinction is that you’re looking for a lesser number so that the weave isn’t too tight.
Usually, fabrics with a lesser thread count will give you the freedom to pull a needle and thread through without a hitch. It would help if you looked for threads with a thread count under 150, as they are ideal for hand embroidering.
- Thread Weight
Thread materials come in all kinds of “weights,” and each project requires a specific thread weight. In thread terminology, a lesser weight is indicative of a heavier thread, while a greater weight is indicative of a lighter thread.
If you’re embroidering shirts and other clothing types, you should get upwards of 80-wt as they are best suited for light fabrics. But if you’re embroidering blankets, you should get a heavier thread like 40-wt.
- Breakage Prevention
We can all agree that fabric can be fragile. They are prone to damage by many objects that can damage them. Synthetic threads are fine and all, but blending them can help increase their sturdiness a lot.
To increase their strength, get two alternating threads, one being synthetic and the other being organic. This way, the threads won’t come off or break easily under pressure and tear apart against sharp objects.
- Organic Origination
Threads that are woven from organic materials are called natural threads. They range from cotton, silk, wool, or blend of these. Natural fabrics tend to be tender yet strong enough to sustain decorative stitching.
In case you want to sew effortlessly, consider picking a naturally-made thread as they allow for a needle to pass through effortlessly. If you’re a beginner, avoid synthetics as your needle might perforate the threads.
- Machine Washing
Always check if the threads are machine washable or not. Laundering the fabric before stitching will tighten up the weave, ensuring consistency across the panel. It also pre-shrinks the material, which you need for shirt embroideries.
Pre-washing the fabric can help avoid puckering as the weave is strengthened to its maximum tensile strength. Washing in a machine must be critical if you want to make fabric designs on a shirt.
What Are the Different Types of Embroidery Threads?
Undoubtedly, There are many kinds of embroidery threads that have several purposes based on what you are embroidering. Similarly, there are many different ways to embroider as well.
So, we will discuss some embroidery threads to understand better what thread is right for you.
- Embroidery Floss
When it comes to embroidering by hand, floss is the most preferred thread. It is the most common thread, as people use them to cross-stitch embroideries.
It has six strands of thread in the skein, which you can separate or keep whole depending on the effect you want.
- Perle Cotton
This material is a bit heavier than a single-stranded cotton thread, but it is available in many weights. The thread is designed in a single-strand method.
If you observe, you will see that it is made with two fibers intertwined together. Unlike the floss fabric, you cannot separate this as it is meant to be used the way it is made.
- Rayon Floss
If you want the brightest colors available, Rayon Floss is your top choice. It is one of the most gleaming embroidery floss and works the same way stranded cotton thread does.
In terms of demerits, the thread can be challenging to deal with it, as it knots and tangles easily. So you should dampen the material before starting to work on it.
- Metallic Thread
This material is the kind of thread that people use to provide highlights to other embroidery techniques.
But it gets damaged and tangled very quickly while working. Even so, people prefer their beauty and magnificence to anything else.
- Crewel Yarn
Yarn is the result of fine natural wool that people use for wool embroidery, needlepoint, and tapestry work.
It is 2 ply in build, as two different strands are twisted to create 1 thread. This design makes it very durable and resistant to tear and stress.
Final Words
As there are many kinds of hand embroidery threads, it cannot be easy when you’re shopping for them. Hopefully, our comprehensive guide on some of the best hand embroidery threads will help you to choose a satisfactory embroidery thread that you can use to design your fabric of choice.