Threads for embroidery are available in a wide range of fibers, colors, types, and weights.
There are few hard-fast rules when selecting the embroidery thread. Using the threads that are good look on your project. Experimentation is often the best indicator of whether or not a thread will give you the desired look.
There are some threads used very often in the market.
Embroidery cotton/Embroidery Floss
Stranded embroidery cotton thread is the most preferred thread for doing embroidery work .You may be calling it by the name ‘Embroidery floss’. This is the most common thread used for most embroidery work including cross stitch.
Embroidery floss is easy to find and comes in a huge range of colors. The six individual plies of embroidery floss can be separated, so you can use the thickness that is best suited for your project by combining plies. Visit the tutorial to learn how to separate floss without tangling.
Always use threads from the same manufacturer in an embroidery project that uses floss, as the finish on the threads can vary from shiny to matte.
Perle cotton/Pearl cotton
Pearl Cotton is a single-ply embroidery thread with a lustrous, pearly finish due to a process called mercerization.
This is a slightly more heavier thread than the single strand of Stranded cotton thread. The pearl cotton thread is available in many weights .
Pearl cotton is available in a variety of weights or thicknesses, and depending on the weight can be available in a twisted skein or a ball.
If there is a number on your embroidery thread they mean something – higher the number lighter the thread.
The textured effect of this thread makes it great to be used in hardanger embroidery, cross stitch, redwork etc. You can use this thread to make beautiful tassels
Rayon threads
It is the shiniest embroidery floss and is available the same way that stranded cotton thread is. But it can be a difficult thread to work with. You can use short lengths to avoid tangling problems. You can also slightly dampen the thread before working by running a wet sponge to moisturizer it
Metallic threads
Metallic thread tarnishes easily, it tangles, snags and even frays but their beauty and brilliance is something else. It may be difficult to wash a fabric embroidered with some metallic thread so it kind of limits the scope of work with it. Synthetic metallic thread do not tarnish though. Silver and Gold colors are usually used in the market.
Silk threads
Silk threads are available in beautiful brilliant shades and are very much used in fine embroidery. The problems encountered when using silk threads in embroidery work are that they fade very easily and they may bleed.
After you have done the silk thread embroidery just lightly press the back of the work using slight steam on the iron- this will give the whole silk thread a beautiful sheen
Crochet thread
Actually you can crochet with anything, even embroidery floss. The yarns mentioned earlier can also be used for doing crochet. But there is a special yarn used for crochet which has a beautiful sheen. It can be used to make beautiful doilies and other crochet things and to create string art.
