Is bobbin thread the same as embroidery thread?
Because bobbin threads are lighter weight than regular embroidery thread, you may need to enlarge a design to make it less dense and/or adjust the tension when using a matching thread in the bobbin. OESD™ produces a 100% polyester bobbin thread in white or black that you can wind onto your own bobbins.
When sewing with a machine, the thread wound around the bobbin links with the upper needle thread to form the bottom part of a stitch. Typically used in machine embroidery, quilting, and sewing fine fabrics, bobbin thread is lightweight and strong, adding little bulk while still securing stitches.
A smooth polyester thread (not spun poly) in the bobbin will work better with metallic thread or a heavier cotton thread than spun poly thread because its silk-like finish acts almost like a lubricant, sliding nicely with the thread.
Embroidery floss or stranded cotton is a loosely twisted, slightly glossy 6-strand thread, usually of cotton but also manufactured in silk, linen, and rayon. Cotton floss is the standard thread for cross-stitch, and is suitable for most embroidery excluding robust canvas embroidery.
A bobbin is the tiny spool of thread that sits in the bottom of your sewing machine. It assists the upper thread by making stitches on the bottom side of the fabric. It helps hold seams together.
Yes, you can. Though different types of threads are available in the market for specific embroidery design types, you can still use sewing thread for making beautiful embroidery.
Short answer: Embroidery thread is a specific type of sewing thread! I want to highlight here that embroidery can be done either with an embroidery machine or even by hand. Hand embroidery and machine embroidery are very different and use different threads as a results.
You will always want to use a lightweight polyester bobbin thread, such as BobbinFil or any other 60-70 weight thread. You can use whatever color you want, but you don't need to change color to match the top thread. Your bobbin thread should not show through the top layer of stitching.
When using the sewing side of the machine, you can use regular all-purpose thread in the bobbin, but when using the embroidery side, you will need to use what is called "bobbinfil". This is a finer weight thread that is ideal for embroidery.
Bobbinfil thread is a polyester thread which is a little finer than other thread so you can fit more onto a bobbin. This means more sewing time per bobbin, and less bobbin refilling. It's also good for machine embroidery because the fact it's lightweight means less build up of thread on dense embroidery designs.
What is a substitute for embroidery thread?
One easy substitution to make is to substitute cotton floss for stranded silk. These threads are similar in diameter, so you can use the same number of strands. They have a similar look when stitched. They also tend to come in large numbers of colors.
Remember, the higher the number within any line of thread, the finer the thread. Sizes 3 and 5 are heavier, used often for needlepoint and sometimes for surface embroidery. Sizes 8 and 12 are relatively fine threads, often used for tatting and crocheted edgings and the like, as well as for embroidery.
Embroidery thread does not have the same strength and is not designed for seaming. WEIGHT- Embroidery thread is most commonly a 35 or 40-weight thread.
Thread Myth #1: Always Use the Same Thread Top & Bottom
One of the most common thread myths we hear is that you must always use the same thread on the top and in the bobbin. This is simply not true, and here's why. As your machine sews, the top and bottom threads are pulling against each other for tension.
- If the upper tension is too tight the bobbin thread with be showing on the top side of the material. Press the minus key on the screen to loosen the tension. - If the upper tension is too loose most of the upper thread will be showing on the bottom the material.
Using a thinner thread size means more thread per bobbin, and fewer change ups. We sell bobbins made of nylon and polyester thread. Spun polyester bobbins are used for embroidery and lightweight garment sewing. In most cases with heavier duty it does not matter if the bobbin thread is nylon or polyester.
Traditionally using knots to start and finish your embroidery thread is a big no-no. And there are several reasons for this. Firstly the knot can show through your embroidery when mounted or be visible when you use thinner fabric that might be somewhat see-through.
Embroidery Also Has Some Disadvantages
Needle and thread can only allow for hard-edge artwork. Fading, shading, and gradation are still very limited using embroidery. As you can imagine, it can compromise waterproof materials.
For the embroidery machine to work correctly, it is essential to use the right thread. It is not only about the type of thread but also how you choose it. If you use an embroidery machine for sewing, the best embroidery thread to use is polyester or cotton thread.
The lower the weight number, the thicker or heavier the thread, and a higher weight number means a thinner or lighter thread. Embroidery threads are usually available in several different thread weights, with 40 being the most common.
Is embroidery thread thicker than regular thread?
Thicker threads, or heavyweight threads, are often used in machine embroidery to create a bold, textured effect. Machine embroidery thread, made from polyester or rayon, typically comes in 40 or 60 weights. Cotton quilting thread, on the other hand, is usually finer and comes in weights ranging from 50 to 100.
You'll notice if you look closely though that DMC strands (and Anchor) are also spun together in a Z twist. So does that mean those are still threads? No. They're still designed to come apart, so are classed as embroidery floss.
When doing machine embroidery, the tension dial should be set somewhere between 2 to 6. If the stitches appear loose, turn the tension up one notch and embroider again.
This means your tension is TOO LOOSE. The thread is just coming out way too fast and will bring your bobbin thread to the top of your fabric, where it does not belong!
In addition to the machine's tension settings, other factors affect thread tension. These include the amount of thread on the spool or bobbin, how tightly it's wound and the thread colour. Dirt and lint buildup along the thread path can also impact tension. Fabric thickness can affect thread tensions.
You can use regular cotton thread for an embroidery machine, but it is generally recommended to use special embroidery thread specifically designed for use in embroidery machines.
Using thicker threads in the bobbin may require that you loosen the bobbin tension of your machine in order for the thread to flow easily through the hole in the needle plate.
This 90-weight white bobbin thread is gauged specifically for Brother embroidery machines and perfectly balances the needle thread.
Proper bobbin tension is essential to good embroidery. If tension is too tight, unwanted bobbin thread may begin to show on top of your garment and you may begin to experience frequent thread breaks which wastes time and money. Bobbin tensions should be 18 to 22 grams (up to 25 grams when embroidering caps).
The thread on the bobbin will form the bottom of your sewing machine stitches, while the thread in the top spool will form the top of your sewing machine stitches.
Does it matter what thread you use in a sewing machine?
Alongside your sewing machine and your fabric, thread is one of the most essential parts of any project. It can be tempting to overlook thread and use a bad quality one or a spool that you've had in your stash for years, but using the correct thread for your project is important, as is using quality thread.
The yarn you use will be much thicker than standard embroidery floss so you'll need to find a needle with a larger eye to fit the thread through Chenille needles work particularly well for yarn embroidery as they have a very sharp point and a large eye (second needle from the right in the picture).
A basic guideline that many professional embroiderers use to determine when to change needles is the three strikes rule. You should replace a needle whenever there has been three consecutive thread breaks on the needle. You should also change a needle if it breaks or is skipping stitches.
The L & Class 15 embroidery bobbins are the smaller bobbins, they are about the size of a nickel. L fits most commercial embroidery machines and many home machines, A, or Class 15 fit many home machines only. Style M machine embroidery bobbins are about the size of a quarter.
Thread weight describes the thickness of embroidery thread and bobbin thread. The larger the number, the thinner the thread. The smaller the number, the thicker the thread.
40wt is a thread that is significantly heavier than 60wt, and noticeably heavier than the 50wt. While it is always good to have different size threads on hand, just in case, I don't usually sew on heavy fabrics, but I do consider the 40wt thread essential for my sewing stash. It is perfect for GATHERS!
Stranded cotton embroidery thread
– This type of thread is the most commonly used and threads are a 100% cotton and have 6 strands. There are a variety of brands, we mostly use Anchor or DMC, but there are many smaller brands avalaible. DMC and Anchor are the most constant in colour, texture and colourfastness.
Silk threads
Of all natural embroidery fibers, silk is not only the strongest, but it also has the highest sheen.
CAUTION: Make sure you set the bobbin so the thread unrolls in the correct direction. The bobbin should be turning clockwise when thread is pulled. If the thread unrolls in the wrong direction, it may cause the thread tension to be incorrect or break the needle.
50wt thread is the highest weight I ever use in my bobbin (unless I'm trying for a special effect). –even when I'm using 40, 30, 28 or 12 wt thread on top. I would consider a finer weight thread like 60 wt, 80wt, 100wt. All of these weights will last a long time and create a textured look on the back of your quilt.
Why is my embroidery loose?
Probable Causes: - Top or bobbin thread is not set correctly. - Thread does not match the needle. - Thread tension setting is not properly set.
If you want to ensure that your piece is flawless, you'll want to use the same thread and color for your bobbin as you'd use for your embroidery. It might be hard to purchase pre-wound bobbins with the same thread as your embroidery thread, so you'll have to wind it yourself.
The most commonly used thread weights for machine embroidery are 40-weight cotton, 60-weight cotton, and 100-weight cotton.
You can use regular cotton thread for an embroidery machine, but it is generally recommended to use special embroidery thread specifically designed for use in embroidery machines.
Bobbin threads are used in sewing machines to create stitches on the underside of fabric. This thread is essential because it helps to create a strong, durable stitch that holds the fabric together. Bobbin threads are often different from top threads in terms of color, thickness, and fiber.
The 40-weight is standard and used in most embroidery designs. 30-weight is thicker and suitable for bold, standout text. 60-weight is thinner and ideal for small, intricate designs or fine lettering.
You can use whatever color you want, but you don't need to change color to match the top thread. Your bobbin thread should not show through the top layer of stitching. It will only be seen on the back of the item. The reason you want to use a lightweight thread is to avoid too much bulk on the back of the item.