Best Threads for Hand Embroidery

Choosing the right thread is key to creating beautiful and durable hand embroidery. The right thread can enhance the look, feel, and longevity of your projects. Whether you're new to embroidery or have been stitching for years, understanding the different types of threads and their qualities will help you select the best thread for embroidery by hand. 

In this guide, we'll discuss the key characteristics of embroidery threads, introduce top brands, and offer tips on choosing the best hand embroidery thread for your projects. So, if you found yourself asking, “What is the best thread for hand embroidery?” you’ve come to the right place.

Characteristics of Embroidery Threads

When selecting embroidery thread, several characteristics are important to consider, including the type of fibre, thread weight, sheen, strength, and colourfastness. Each of these factors affects how your embroidery will look and hold up over time.

Fibre Type

Embroidery threads come in various fibres, each with unique qualities:

• Cotton: This is a popular choice among hand embroidery thread types because it's easy to use and versatile. Cotton threads work well with many embroidery techniques and are available in different finishes and weights. However, they may not be as shiny as silk.
• Silk: Silk threads offer a luxurious sheen and smooth texture, perfect for detailed work. They give a high-end look but can be slippery and more expensive than other options.
• Metallic: Metallic threads add sparkle to your embroidery. They're ideal for creating highlights but can be quite tricky to work with due to their tendency to fray.

Thread Weight and Thickness

The weight and thickness of the thread affect how your embroidery looks and feels. Thicker threads create bolder, more textured designs, while finer threads are better for detailed, delicate work. Choose the thread weight based on your fabric and the level of detail in your design.

Sheen and Finish

The sheen and finish of a thread can change the appearance of your embroidery. Threads can have a matte, satin, or glossy finish. Matte threads offer a soft, subtle look, while glossy threads stand out with a bright, reflective quality. Consider the style and effect you want when selecting the sheen and finish.

Strength and Durability

Strength is important for threads, especially if your embroidered item will be used often or washed regularly. Stronger threads, like polyester, are better for these types of projects. Silk threads, while luxurious, may not be as durable, so they're best for items that won't see heavy use.

Colourfastness

Colourfastness refers to how well a thread retains its colour after washing or exposure to light. Choosing a colourfast thread ensures that your embroidery won't fade over time. To test for colourfastness, wet a small piece of thread and press it onto a white cloth to see if the colour bleeds.

Top Embroidery Threads Brands

Certain brands are known for producing high-quality embroidery threads. Choosing threads from these brands can ensure your embroidery looks great and lasts a long time.

DMC Threads

DMC is one of the most popular brands for embroidery threads. Their stranded cotton floss is favoured worldwide for its wide range of colours and consistent quality. It's easy to use and works well for both beginners and experts. With DMC, you are assured the best quality hand embroidery threads.

ITO Threads

ITO offers luxurious silk and innovative metallic threads, perfect for detailed and sophisticated projects. Their threads are smooth, strong, and vibrant, making them ideal for high-end embroidery.

Venne Threads

Venne is known for its mercerised cotton and specialty wool threads. Mercerisation gives cotton threads a beautiful sheen and added strength, making them suitable for many embroidery techniques. Venne's threads are also available in organic merino wool, providing a different texture for those looking to experiment.

Best Threads for Hand Embroidery

Hand embroidery requires patience and practice. It is a tactile form of art--it needs to be touched as texture and dimension are an important part of the embroidery. Designers sometimes intentionally include extra details when they're designing an item for embroidery because these elements help them create something more beautiful.

DMC Stranded Cotton Floss

DMC Stranded Cotton Floss, also referred to as embroidery floss, is highly versatile and widely used. It’s sold in skeins, and the main thread that comes off the skein can be divided into six separate, fine threads. Using just one thread makes for an extremely delicate stitch. If you want to create an effect similar to stitching using bulky yarns, then use all six strands at once. This thread is one of the best options if you're searching for the best thread for embroidery by hand.

DMC Cotton Coloris

DMC Cotton Coloris offers variegated colours within a single skein, allowing for beautiful, multi-tonal effects without needing to change threads frequently. This thread is great for creating dynamic, colourful designs with ease.

Venne 20/2 Mercerised Cotton

Venne 20/2 Mercerised Cotton is strong and shiny due to the mercerisation process. It's ideal for projects that require a refined, elegant look, such as monograms or intricate patterns.

ITO Nui Spun Silk

ITO Nui Spun Silk is luxurious and smooth, making it perfect for projects that need a sophisticated finish. It's a two-ply thread with a beautiful sheen and slightly pearly texture that adds more beauty to surface embroidery. It's strong and ideal for detailed work on delicate fabrics like silk or fine linen. It can also be used for machine sewing.

ITO Iki Filament Silk

ITO Iki Filament Silk is incredibly smooth and shiny, making it a top choice for fine, detailed embroidery. Its strength and lustre make it perfect for creating elegant designs with a polished finish. Achieve super fine embroidery lines and beautiful silk shading effects with just a single thread, or stronger lines and bolder texture with multiple strands.

Venne Organic Merino Lace Weight Yarn

Venne Organic Merino Lace Weight Yarn is soft and warm, making it ideal for embroidery projects that require a gentle yet durable thread. It’s a two-ply thread with a tight twist. It’s strong enough for needlework whilst providing a lovely textured yarn. It's particularly well-suited for garments and home décor.

Venne Mohair Embroidery Thread

Venne Mohair Embroidery Thread is fluffy and light, adding texture and dimension to your embroidery. It's great for creating textured accents, such as animal motifs or decorative elements.

Venne Metallic Thread

Venne Metallic Thread adds a sparkling touch to your embroidery, making it perfect for festive or elegant designs. It's durable and easy to work with, provided you use the right techniques to prevent fraying.

ITO Gin / ITO San

ITO Gin and ITO San are high-quality metallic threads known for their durability and beautiful sheen. They're excellent for adding highlights and decorative touches to your hand embroidery, as well as machine embroidery. Metallic embroidery threads are perfect for using dark-coloured fabric as a background.

Factors to Consider When Choosing The Right Embroidery Thread

When choosing an embroidery thread, consider the following factors to ensure you pick the best one for your project:

• Material: The material affects how the thread performs and how your embroidery will look. If you’re wondering, “Can I use regular thread for hand embroidery?” the answer is yes, but embroidery-specific threads often give better results.
• Texture: Cheaper, lower-quality cotton embroidery threads tend to have a fuzzy texture to them, which can make your embroidery piece look dull. By choosing an embroidery thread with higher quality, your project will have a smoother texture and a nice sheen to it.
• Weight: Thread weight influences the precision and texture of your embroidery. Use lighter threads for detailed work and heavier threads for bold designs.
• Thread Sizes: Different thread sizes are suitable for different fabrics and levels of detail. Understand the sizing system to choose the right thread for your project.
• Colourfastness: Ensure the thread is colourfast to prevent fading. If there isn't any mention of the fabric being colourfast anywhere on the manufacturer's website, then take a quick glance through some reviews online for similar products. 

Don't forget to take into account the weight of the fabric as well. If you're working on cotton fabric, then you should definitely stick to a medium or fine thread. Cotton fabrics don't hold up well to a coarse thread. 

On the other hand, if you're working on a polyester fabric, then you can use a superfine thread without worrying too much. Fabrics such as denim are usually heavier than those made of cotton. So, if you're working with a heavy fabric, then you should opt to use a thicker thread.

Enjoy Experimenting with Embroidery Threads

What thread do you use for hand embroidery? Selecting the best thread for hand embroidery is essential for achieving high-quality results. By considering the material, weight, thread size, and colourfastness, you can choose the best embroidery thread for hand embroidery. Trusted brands like DMC, Venne, and ITO offer excellent options for various embroidery needs, from everyday projects to intricate, luxurious designs. Experiment with different threads and techniques to find what works best for your style and projects, ensuring beautiful and lasting embroidery.

If you want some inspiration to get started, The Inspirational Thread by Susan Brandeis is a fantastic resource for beginners and experienced embroiders alike. Thread Collective also offers a wide collection of hand embroidery supplies that will help you get started with the craft. Browse the range today and get ready to start stitching!