How Do I Use the Thread Exchange?

The Thread Exchange is a free tool that you can use to find equivalents from Madeira rayon to other brands of thread. Click here to go to the Thread Exchange.

To begin, check the box next to the thread brand you use. Then, enter the 4-digit Madeira thread number (excluding the # sign) from the color change sheet into the thread fields. If you arrived at the Thread Exchange page from a color change sheet, the numbers may already be populated for you. Once all of the thread numbers are entered, click the "Start Search" button.

For faster results, use the "Quick Search" option. This will populate the unique colors used from the color change sheet into the fields on the Thread Exchange page. Enter a Product ID into the box and click the "Find Thread Numbers" button. You'll see the colors automatically populated. Then, select your thread brand and click the "Start Search" button at the bottom of the page.

You'll be directed to a results page that shows a chart that gives equivalents from Madeira rayon to the thread brand you selected, as well as color swatches. Click the "Print Thread Results" button to print a copy of the page. Click the "Back Arrow" to go back to the previous page. To start a brand new search, click the "New Search" button.

Please note that any equivalents are ones that we have identified. As not all thread colors have matches or equivalents between companies, it's unlikely that you'll get matches for all of your thread colors. But you will most likely get enough matches to get started in the right direction.

If you don't find many matches with the Thread Exchange, do not be discouraged!  The color change sheet lists the color name, and also shows color swatches so you can see a sample of the color used for each color change. Many list the part of the design that is colored with that step, too!

Choose colors from your thread stash that you think will work best with the design. Try new combinations, and have fun exploring the creative world of color!