Impressions - March 2015 - 60

Embroidery Production

allow the random changes of the thread to
enhance the design.

QUICK FILL

Fire-resistant
embroidery thread often is
requested in industries where
ﬁre safety is a concern, such
as aeronautic, automobile
and petroleum.

from 100% Aramid, a DuPont product.
While not a go-to thread for anything
other than safety needs, you should get
comfortable with it for whenever the need
arises.

GLOW IN THE DARK
Never to be used when regulated safety
issues regarding visibility are a concern,
glow-in-the-dark embroidery thread was
developed for pure novelty. And while its
use can be quite clever and may contribute
to the wearer's visibility, it does not include
any guarantee of the length or effectiveness
of its glow. A 40-weight thread, it should
not require any special
consideration when running. Popular around
Halloween for childrenswear or tote bags,
this thread needs to be
"charged" by being held
under direct light. It will
hold its glow in darkness
for a length of time that
is proportionate with
how long it was charged.

VARIEGATED, MULTI & OMBRÉ
When chosen correctly, variegated,
multi or ombré embroidery threads may
actually cut down on the number of colors
60

Impressions | March 2015

you'll need for a design. As you stitch with
multicolor and variegated threads, they
will change from one color to another and
another. With ombrés, one thread will produce multiple shades of a single color. A
wide range of options exist if you decide
to try a multicolored or shaded look, since
rayon, polyester, wool blends and metallics all come in variations of these randomlooking colors.
Working with these threads takes some
experimenting as you learn the effect the
colors will have on your design. Try using
them in items that are natural, such as
ﬂowers, leaves, water, stone and fur - and

While metallic
threads are available in
many different weights, the #40
is versatile. It is combined here
with polyester #40 for simplicity
and clarity with a "punch."

Finally, heavyweight rayon embroidery
thread may be an ideal choice for economic
reasons. It is available in 30 and 12 weight.
When your design includes long ﬁll stitches, the 30-weight rayon will ﬁll quickly,
cutting down on thread consumption and
production time. For outline stitches, fancy
seams, and ﬁnishing off the edges of badges
and emblems, 12-weight rayon is a good
choice. These two threads require a change
in needle size, and would be chosen for the
reasons mentioned here. Otherwise, stick
with your general-purpose, 40-weight rayon or polyester threads for the majority of
your embroidery work.
With business more competitive than
ever, offer your customers more creative,
unique looks. If experimenting with different thread types stops you dead in your
tracks, contact your embroidery thread
supplier. They often will have tips and
tricks online or in printed form to help
build your courage. Many will provide a
free sample with a free design so you can
try unique threads before you commit to
adding inventory.
Alice Wolf is the marketing communications director for Madeira USA. She began
doing marketing and public relations for the
art industry in New York, then migrated
north to Madeira's headquarters in New
Hampshire. For more information or to comment on this article, email Alice at awolf@
madeirausa.com.

Suggested

Reading

Like this article? Read these and
other embroidery articles at
impressionsmag.com:
* "Use Specialty Threads to
Spice Up Embroidery"
* "Thread Update: Add Interest
to Sewouts"
* "How to Determine a True
Thread Break"
impressionsmag.com

http://www.impressionsmag.com http://www.impressionsmag.com

Impressions - March 2015

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