The color and texture of the pattern, as well as the final product’s appearance, are directly influenced by the material and kind of thread used in embroidery. Take your time when deciding on the type or combination of embroidery thread that will work best for the design you have in mind, as there are many options available. Sewability, Seam Performance and Appearance, Availability and Cost should be the primary considerations while making thread selections.
Types of Embroidery Threads
The color and texture of the pattern, as well as the final product’s appearance, are directly influenced by the material and kind of thread used in embroidery. Take your time when deciding on the type or combination of embroidery thread that will work best for the design you have in mind, as there are many options available. Sewability, Seam Performance and Appearance, Availability and Cost should be the primary considerations while making thread selections.
Types:
Rayon: This type of thread has a beautiful sheen therefore it is used for the most beautiful embroidery designs. Rayon threads can be made up of a single strand of a single color or a combination of two or more colors twisted together. Most commonly found in 40 wt. and 30 wt., they are generally available However, even though Rayon is the most common variety, its thinness makes it less durable.
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Polyester: Unlike Rayon, polyester thread is more durable but less appealing. However, when mixed with Rayon, this embroidery thread’s effect is practically indistinguishable. It shrinks and fades very little. Cheaper than Rayon thread as well.
Cotton: Threads made of cotton have a textured surface that makes it easy to alter the thread’s tension. When used for machine embroidery, it has a good shine, is strong (though finer threads over 50 wt. aren’t), and looks great.
Silk: Silk embroidery thread is extremely strong and has a brilliant luster that is unmatched by any other. Despite the fact that threads come in a wide range of sizes, their scarcity means that they are typically reserved for high-end clothing.
Silk: With a core covered in a metal foil that may be coated in silver alloys, and color added to this foil with a polyester film used as an undercoat, this form of thread is also called metallic thread. There are few threads on the market that can match the strength and durability of metallic thread.
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Mylar Thread: In order to generate Mylar threads, a layer of Mylar film is mixed and sliced into slices. They are long-lasting, although they might be damaged when sewn at fast speeds. This color has a holographic hue, which picks up and reflects light or color from other things in its immediate surroundings. In terms of color and design, this definitely enhances it.
Special-effect: Design effects such as a crewel effect can be achieved with this sort of thread, hence the name “special-effect.” Some of the special effect threads may glow in the dark or change color when exposed to sunlight.
An assessment of quality:
When testing the tensile strength of embroidery thread, a strand of thread can be sawed back and forth until the first strand breaks. The more quickly it breaks, the lesser the quality and strength of that thread type.
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Elongation: The correct amount of stretch is required in a good thread. Extend a small bit of thread as far as you can go before it snaps. It’s important that the strand doesn’t stretch or break too soon.
A final embroidery product’s color and design can be used to test the sheen’s luster and quality.