Thread Information & Stockists

Stranded Cotton 

Stranded cotton embroidery floss is comprised of 6 easily separated strands and I use one strand.  DMC stranded cotton is the brand I tend to use the most. It is readily available from most high street and online needlework stores throughout the world.  Anchor is another good quality brand of stranded cotton that can be used as an alternative/together with DMC.

Silk

There are many brands of silk on the market, I tend to favor Au Ver A Soie d'alger as it is easy to handle and good quality.

Sewing Cotton

I use one strand of polyester sewing cotton for fine lines and details.  Any good quality sewing thread can be used - see more detail below under Outline thread.

How to use a skein of thread.

Pull out a length of thread from the skein about 50 – 60cm is good and separate one strand from the six. Cut this off and thread into the needle. Use one strand of thread throughout unless otherwise indicated. You can find more information on threads in The Handbook. or any of my published books.

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OUTLINE THREADS

Sometimes you will need a very fine thread for outlining sections or shapes in your embroidery project.  This will be suggested in the individual pattern instructions.

In some cases one strand of DMC cotton is suitable, but sometimes the pattern may calls for a finer thread - here are some suggestions:

SILK

A 50wt silk thread such as those used for machine embroidery can be used for outlining.  These can be purchased at any good online needlework store.  Here are some suggestions:

• Superior Threads - Tire Silk #50
• Machine embroidery thread such as Guterman or Madeira

Polyester sewing thread

Any polyester sewing thread such as Guterman, Coats, Madeira or Metler can be used - as long as it is colorfast with a good range of colors.      

Method:  cut a piece of sewing thread, pull it apart and divide into two strands.  Use one fine strand for outlining.

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Colour matching

You will need to match the silk or polyester thread to the DMC colour stated in your embroidery instructions.  It needs to be close but does not need to be an exact match.

Guterman Thread Substitutes.

Guterman thread substitutes for Miniature Needle Painting Book.

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THREAD CHARTS

DMC COLOUR CHART

Click on the link to access the full DMC Colour chart.  This includes the 35 new colours that were introduced in 2018.

 

ANCHOR COLOUR CHART

Click on link to access the Anchor colour chart.

MAXI MOULINE CIRCULO COLOUR CHART

Click on link to access the Maxi Mouline colour chart.

 

AU VER A SOIE COLOUR CHART

Click on the link to access the Soie D'Alger colour chart.  Compliments of The Embroidery Den, Victoria, Australia.

 

NEW DMC COLOURS

Click on link to access New DMC Colours.

 

SOIE D'ALGER TO DMC

Please note that there are some colours in the Soie D'alger range that are not available in the DMC range.  The colour substitutes have been matched as closely as possible, but do not always provide an exact representation.  

Click on the link to access a conversion chart for Au Ver A Soie silk to DMC stranded cotton