There are many different attitudes about embroidery thread. Some stitch away without giving a single thought to the weight or the quality, while others own a well-organized library of embroidery threads in every hue and type imaginable. Most of us fall somewhere in between, but if you are unsure about what kind of hand embroidery thread to choose, let us help with a few tips for choosing the right embroidery thread type for your next project.

Embroidery Thread Types

Cotton embroidery thread or perle cotton thread is a heavyweight thread that is often used for hand quilting, embroidered embellishments, cross stitching, and other thread art like friendship bracelets and crochet. It is not used in embroidery machines.

Hand embroidery floss is sometimes also called six strand embroidery floss. As the name suggests, it consists of six individual strands of thread that are lightly twisted together to form a single strand.

One of the benefits of six strand embroidery floss is that it allows for greater versatility in terms of the thickness and texture of the thread used in an embroidery project. The individual strands can be separated and used individually or combined to create a thicker thread. This makes it possible to create different textures and effects in an embroidery design, from fine details to bold, chunky stitches.

When it comes to embroidery floss vs. thread, the main differences between perle cotton and embroidery floss is the thickness and fiber content.

What is the best embroidery thread?

Ultimately, this will come down to personal preference and project type. Six strand embroidery floss is great for a variety of hand embroidery projects and cross stitch, but if you would like to add embroidery onto a quilt project, our Prescencia Perle cotton thread is the perfect choice for hand embroidery on quilts. It is 100% extra-long staple Egyptian cotton, mercerized for strength, colorfast, and shrinkfast. This affordable thread also is great for punch-needle embroidery, edge stitching, sashiko, and big-stitch quilting.

Embroidery Thread Sizes

Size 8 perle cotton thread is equivalent to approximately three strands of embroidery floss. It’s much thicker and can’t be separated easily like embroidery floss, so keep that in mind. And while embroidery floss can be used in hand quilting, it isn’t always an ideal choice as previously mentioned.

If you’re searching for “embroidery thread near me” and happen to be near Hamilton, Missouri, we’d love to have you visit Quilt Town to buy some of the best embroidery thread around! If you can’t visit us in person and are searching for embroidery threads online, you’ve come to the right website!