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Kenny's Korner
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Stitching
with Thick Thread
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Working with 12 weight thread adds a
soft, lush effect to any embroidery project. To see a free video
tutorial on using thick thread, click the image to the right.
Written tips and instructions are below. |
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Over
the past several months, more and more thread
companies have begun advertising heavier weights
of thread. Composed of a wool and acrylic blend,
these threads are fun and interesting to work
with. They are strong, because of the acrylic
component, and soft and lush because of the wool
component.
It's always interesting to explore a new product
to see how it can be applied to our embroidery
art. I was intrigued by the texture of the
wool-like thread -- it reminded me of
traditional crewel work that one sees in
tapestries. Bringing that classic look to the
embroidery machine was a challenge that I was
eager to tackle. The "thick thread"
designs at the Embroidery Library are digitized
for 12 weight thread, and I'd like to share some
ideas and tips with you that will help when you
are working with the "thick thread" designs.
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Let's start with the thread.
There are a couple of different
brands on the market, but I worked
with Madeira's Burmilana line.
Another brand is Monet embroidery
thread. If you are looking for a
place to purchase the 12 weight
Burmilana thread, you'll find
several sources on the Internet. Go
to
www.Google.com and search there.
You can also purchase it directly
from
www.MadeiraUsa.com,
and
www.TheSewphisticatedStitcher.com.
Madeira's Burmilana thread is
30% wool and 70% acrylic. The thread
is sold in 1090 yard cones, 437 yard
spools, and 220 yard spools. The 220
yard spools are called "Lana"
thread. |
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You can purchase 12
weight Burmilana thread
at
www.MadeiraUsa.com or
www.TheSewphisticatedStitcher.com.
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Next, needle
choice. When embroidering with thick thread,
you'll need to use a needle with a large eye.
The thick thread needs more room to move through
the needle, which lessens the friction (and also
makes it easier to thread the needle!). We
recommend using a size 110/18 needle, titanium
or universal. Madeira makes special needles for
embroidering with thick thread, known as the
Lana needle.
You might notice "fuzz" building up on your
machine or under the throat plate as you work
with this thicker thread. This is
normal -- it's a result of the thread
passing through the eye of a needle. You can use
a small vacuum cleaner designed for cleaning
keyboards to remove the fuzz. |
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Threading the needle with thick
thread. If you're using a 110/18
needle, then you will likely have
little trouble threading the needle
with the thick thread. But, if you
do, here's a little "shortcut" using a 40 weight
thread "lead."
Tie the 40 weight thread to the
thick thread that you want to use.
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Thread the needle with the 40 weight
thread. |
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Pull
the 40 weight thread so that thick
thread comes through the needle.
Whenever you need to change thread,
just tie the new 12 weight onto the
"old" color, and pull it through. |
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Adjust the thread tension to account for the
thick thread. The "normal" tension on
embroidery machines is set for 40 weight thread.
Because the 12 weight is much thicker, you may
find that you need to loosen the upper thread
tension. I opened the upper thread tension
plates as much as possible; you may find that
you get good results with a lesser degree of
change.
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After you have the right needle and
good tension, embroidering with
thick thread is just like
embroidering with any other kind of
thread. The same rules about hooping
and stabilizer apply (i.e. hoop the
fabric with the stabilizer, choose the stabilizer according to
the fabric weight, regular bobbin
thread).
Remember, too, that a design needs
to be specially digitized for
thicker thread. If you use thick
thread with a "regular" embroidery
design, you won't get very far.
You'll find that the thread will
ball up underneath and jam the hoop.
Designs at the Embroidery Library
that are digitized for "thick
thread" are clearly marked with the
words "thick thread" in the name.
Conversely, designs that are
digitized for thick thread shouldn't
be used with 40 weight thread. The
coverage won't be sufficient.
Above all, enjoy working with thick
thread. It really adds a beautiful
component to embroidery projects. |
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Kenny is a
master digitizer and Vice President of
Production at Embroidery Library, Inc. He has
more than twelve years of experience as an artist,
digitizer, and embroiderer.
Ask Kenny! Send your questions to
stitch@emblibrary.com. |
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