Last Updated on January 10, 2023

Are you looking for the best embroidery thread for your embroidery projects? Here are our top picks!

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Just type “embroidery thread” on Amazon and you’ll be faced with an almost infinite number of brands, types, and colors of threads. Don’t be tempted to go for the cheapest one, or even the most popular one, without research.

There are several factors that should influence your choice and we are here to guide you through them. Embroidery floss comes in six, divisible, strands and is the most common one, also used for cross stitch.

Rayon floss feels like silk and comes in bright colors. Metallic threads are used to add highlights and details to embroidery work. Do you want to know which one is the best one for you and if even if you can mix them?

We compiled a comprehensive list to get started!

 

The Best Embroidery Thread


1. Simthread 63 Spools

A smaller kit with no storage box is a great choice if you want to spend less but still need quality. These spools are made specifically for Brothers machines, so you can be sure they will fit if that is the brand you use.

Colors are bright and radiant, and they do not break easily. Even though it was made with Brother in mind don’t worry, it is compatible with all home embroidery machines.

Each spool comes individually wrapped with care, and the end of the thread is marked and easy to find.

It can be hard to shop online for thread, but you can’t really go wrong with Simthread.


2. New Brothread 64 Spools

Another great brand, New Brothread also supplies first-grade embroidery tools and it has been doing it since 1988. The kit comes with sixty-one colors, and double white, black and red.

This comes in handy since they are the colors most people use the most. This thread does not break or fray and the colors are different enough from one another that it makes for interesting projects.

The set also comes very well-packaged and inside a sturdy box that you can keep to store it.

Another great point is the responsive customer service, so if that matters to you, go ahead and purchase this one.


3. New Brothread 63 Spools

This kit is more affordable than the last, but still an exceptional one. The colors are beautiful and slightly different from the other Brothread kit.

They are more earthy and include nice degrades of the shades. Usually, when you open embroidery spools you have to remove the color nametag in order to use them.

With these ones this is not necessary, there is a slit so you can keep the name tag. Very useful for organization purposes and to keep track of which colors you are using for each project!

They are colorfast, meaning they hold on to their color even in the face of laundering and the use of chemicals.


4. Embroidex 63 Colors

The Embroidex embroidery thread is shiny, thin, and great for delicate work. It works well with any embroidery machine and it comes with a useful color sheet.

Some users had problems with tangling, and that happens because the thread is so nice and thin. The trick to solve that is to use the small net that comes with your sewing machine to wrap the bobbin.

This is an affordable kit to get if you want a silky thread. There are also colors like silver, gold, and bronze, making for beautiful projects.


5. Threadart Rayon Embroidery

Rayon is a type of embroidery thread that mimics silk. It is smooth, shiny, and vibrant – all that at a fraction of the price of real silk. They work beautifully on satin stitches and applique projects.

The colors range widely from green to purple, orange, brown, and all the gradient shades of them. This is a big set with eighty cones of embroidery thread, so you probably will not need another one anytime soon.

It is important to note that there are no repeated whites and blacks, so you may want to purchase some extra spools of them.


6. New Brothread Metallic Thread

Metallic embroidery thread is an asset for any sewist. It can truly take your project to the next level, adding depth and highlights to your design.

This set comes with twenty glittered and shiny colors, they are colorfast and resist well to washing, temperature and the test of time. It is necessary to use the bobbin net on them or the machine may clog, but if you do then it should run smoothly, with no breakage.

They come with a color chart, and colors like deep gold and Christmas red make this one of the most festive embroidery thread sets there are.


7. Simthread Glow in The Dark Embroidery Thread

If you are looking for something unusual, why not consider this fantastic glow-in-the-dark thread? This could make a great addition to your collection and it certainly adds fun to any design.

Simthread only uses environmentally friendly materials, a great plus in our book. To “charge” this thread, leave them in direct sunlight for about twenty minutes and that’s it! The glowing will then last for over three hours. They look fantastic!

The set comes with six basic colors, all light  – blue, yellow, red, gray, green, and white.  


8. Le Paon Embroidery Floss

If you are looking for the traditional embroidery floss, Le Paon has a nice and big set.  There are two hundred and forty skins and each one can be divided into six strands.

If you divide them or not will determine how thick or thin your design and stitches will look. These are most suited for hand embroidery and should be used with a woven fabric.

They are colorfast, so any project you do will last for a long time, even after washed and dried.

You can also share them with your kids and make fantastic friendship bracelets! Please note that they don’t come with a color code, so reordering a color would be a difficult task.

 

Buying Guide for the Best Embroidery Thread


Strength

One of the biggest problems when it comes to embroidery thread is breakage. A flimsy thread damages the machine and gives you a lot of headaches, you have to stop it, rethread and continue.

That is why polyester is the best embroidery thread material for machine embroidery. It is stretchy enough to make designs but strong enough to not break or frail.

Use

What are you using your thread for? If you are doing hand embroidery or cross-stitch, a cotton thread may be the best type for you.

For machine embroidery, you definitely want to go with polyester thread. Analyze what your goals are and go from there.

The assortment of colors

If you have a specific pattern in mind, it is crucial to check for the color codes for the pattern, your machine, and the thread set. Make sure they all match since you don’t want to run out of thread mid-project.

Also check for the basic ones like white, black and red. Some sets include two of each since they are the most used colors.

Material

There are a plethora of embroidery thread materials. Polyester, cotton, silk, rayon, wool. The type you use will greatly influence the end project, so research the thread’s specific benefits and aspects.


Frequently Asked Questions


What kind of thread to use with an embroidery machine?

Polyester thread has long been a favorite in machine embroidery. It is just stretchy enough and extremely strong.

Nowadays, however, machines are becoming more and more versatile. It is possible to use thin threads with the help of a net.

Metallic, variegated, and even wool can work too. Your machine will have instructions and directions in regard to that.


How do I store my embroidery thread?

Embroidery thread is thin, prone to unravel, and easy to tangle. When you are finished with it, store it carefully back inside the box that it came with.

If it didn’t include one, consider purchasing a sturdy box with separations inside, or a shelf with bobbin holders. Get creative – even a small ziplock bag for each spool will do, the important thing is to keep them apart.


Which needle do I use with machine embroidery?

The lower the number on an embroidery needle, the finer the point is. You will choose the size based on the kind of fabric you are embroidering on.

Denim, for example, requires a needle size of 90. A lighter fabric, on the other hand, will accept 65/70 needles.


What is the difference between sewing thread and embroidery thread?

This is a good question that comes up a lot. The biggest difference is in the texture. Embroidery threads have a looser twist, which gives them a shinier sheen and stronger built.

They need to be stronger because they go in and out of the fabric numerous times, unlike sewing threads.

 

Jennifer Salvo

Hello, I’m Jennifer Salvo, mother of two children. I’m passionate about sewing, crafting, and giveaways. I want to help you learn more about sewing through my blog. I hope to inspire you with amazing craft ideas and help you with your sewing equipment purchases.

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