Impressions - August 2018 - 35

threads can be dropped into designs where a satin stitch is
used. For example, metallic thread can be used to create stars
that shine or metal accents that gleam and give life to the design.
A 40-weight, matte-finished embroidery thread is available
and can be used to show subtle shading; add a realistic touch
to items or textures that truly have no shine; and add vivid
color to a design. Slightly on the thin side, this thread may, at
times, require reducing a design by as little as 5% to ensure
proper fill.
However, it also is capable of providing clarity to small letters
or fine details due to its weight and lack of light reflection. It
often can be used in a design with no tweaks at all; give yourself
time to experiment and become comfortable with these threads.
Two other 40-weight specialty threads - fire-resistant and
glow-in-the-dark - can be substituted into nearly any stock
design. Fire-resistant thread can be used when safety is an issue,
and glow-in-the-dark thread is ideal when novelty or special
effects are the goal.
While fire-resistant thread would only be used upon a customer's request, the sky's the limit when it comes to stock
designs that would be ideal for this safety-minded option, which
is made of Nomex fibers and withstands temperatures up to
572˚F. Because it's composed of spun fibers, it requires a larger,
#80/12 needle for best results.
Glow-in-the-dark thread can be used for everything from
a portion of a child's Halloween costume to creating a border
on linens for a summer evening picnic.The results that can be
achieved from using this novelty thread are fun and surprising,
offering customers a look they may not expect. Both fire-resistant
and glow-in-the-dark threads have limited color availability,
but otherwise are easy, breezy substitutes in stock designs.

Be Unique - Tweak!
For very thick (12-weight) and thin (60- and 75-weight) threads,
additional tweaking likely will be necessary.The first tweak begins
with a needle change. Should you have a design that could be
enhanced with a thick wool- or cotton-blend thread, switching to a #100/16 needle will give best results. For the thinner
60-weight rayon or polyester thread, a #65/9 or #70/10 needle
is suggested, while you should use a #60/8 needle for best results
with a 75-weight polyester thread.
With 60-weight thread, the needle's penetration should be as
small as possible, since the thread is thinner than 40-weight and
requires a smaller hole. Not changing the needle nearly negates
the benefit of using a thin thread.
With thicker, fuzzier threads, the needle should make a larger
hole for the thread to pass through without causing undue friction with the needle and the fabric being embroidered. Keep in
mind that if you've chosen an appropriate design, changing the
needle may be the only needed tweak.
Density is another aspect of a stock design that may or may not
need tweaking."If you have the stitch file, you are able to enlarge
or reduce the design on your machine," says Rich Medcraft of
StitchWise Embroidery Designs."Enlarging the design will spread
apart the stitches, decreasing the density and accommodating
a thicker thread. On the other hand, reducing the design will
compact it, bringing stitches closer together to allow for thinner
threads. For example, if you have a 3-inch design and you reduce
it by 20%, you are increasing the density by approximately 20%."
Searching for designs that are most appropriate for the thinner or thicker threads may eliminate the need for tweaking.
"I'd say I've had the best luck substituting thread in simpler,
lower-thread-count designs," says Tamra Valle of Kreations by
This design,"Blue Flower,"
features a matte-finished
thread that creates a
watercolor look by blending
the thread colors in a casual
way. Photo courtesy of
Kreations by Kara.

AUGUST 2018

P.35

Impressions - August 2018

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