Enhance your free motion quilting, thread sketching, thread painting, machine embroidery, and textile art by choosing a great thread — there’s one to suit every purpose.
There are dozens of different types of thread available, each designed for a different purpose.
So, when doing free motion thread sketching, thread painting, or quilting, how do you choose?
Begin by thinking about what you are making, how dense your stitching will need to be, and what you intend using your finished article for. For a detailed overview of the best machine embroidery threads for free motion stitching, read my article The Best Machine Embroidery Thread for Free Motion Stitching.
I recommend beginning with a small selection of good quality thread — this might be rayon, polyester, cotton, or silk (amongst others).
But if you’re just starting out, you won’t go wrong with 40-gauge rayon or polyester machine embroidery thread.
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Recommended Reading
- The Best Machine Embroidery Thread for Free Motion Stitching
- What kind of needle should you use for thread painting?
- 16 Reasons why thread shreds when thread painting (and what to do about it)
- Creative Thread Sketching: A beginner’s guide [the book]
Recommended Machine Embroidery Thread List
Gütermann Machine Embroidery Thread – Rayon 40 Wt
Gütermann thread offers great quality at a reasonable price and is available in a wide range of colors. This 40 gauge thread is perfect for thread painting and quilting.
Isocord Quality Embroidery Thread Set
Isocord thread is a gorgeous, high-quality machine embroidery thread that will not let you down. Stitching is easy and trouble-free, with the thread resistant to breaking and shredding.
Sulky Of America 40wt 2-Ply Rayon Thread, 1500 yd
Treat yourself with the fabulous range of quality Sulky 40-gauge machine embroidery thread. Available in a wide range of colours.
Mettler Polysheen Polyester Machine Embroidery Thread
If you want many colors (28, to be precise) and smaller quantities, this economical Mettler pack offers great quality. Nicely packaged in a gift box — perfect for Christmas and birthdays.
Set of 2 Huge Bobbin Thread Cones for Sewing and Embroidery Machine – 1 Black and 1 White 5500 Yards Each – Polyester – Embroidex
Purchasing economical cones of bobbin thread is a wise decision. Thread sketchers and thread painters use a lot of thread!
Aurifil Thread Box Set from Pat Sloan 50wt Cotton 12 Large (1422 yard) Spools
If cotton thread is what you’re after, don’t look past this excellent gift boxed set.
Brothread 9 Basic Colors Metallic Embroidery Machine Thread Kit
Add sparkle to your machine embroidery with these 9 different shades of metallic thread. Each spool contains 500m (550 yards) of thread.
Brothread 25 Colors Variegated Polyester Embroidery Machine Thread Kit
Achieve surprising and unusual effects using variegated embroidery thread. In this pack of 25 colors, each spool contains 500m (550 yards) of thread.
Sulky Premium Invisible Thread
Invisible thread (also known as monofilament thread) is very useful for quilters and textile artists. Great for confetti quilting!
Superior Threads Mono.Poly Clear Monofilament Thread
Another winner from Superior Threads with 2200 yard spools.
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