If you’ve ever wondered what sort of new and interesting effects you could achieve in your machine embroidery with the use of specialty threads, my article in the recent Printwear Magazine is for you.

In Get Creative: Enhance your Embroidery with Specialty Thread, I discuss different categories of specialty threads and break down specific types of thread in each class and give some uses for each.  Included categories are:

• Specialty Coloration– Think variegated threads and twisted multi-colors; great for adding interest to designs digitized for single-color applications, so long as color precision and placement isn’t necessary to your piece.
• Special Thicknesses and Finishes– Within this category are 60 weight threads for fine detail work and small lettering as well as thick 30 weight threads for quicker full coverage as well as fuzzy and matte threads for hand-worked looks and the ability to contrast with the shine of standard embroidery thread.

• Metallics– Though technically part of the previous category, the extra-shiny metallics with their complex wrapped structure and reputation for a difficult sewing experience merit a more in-depth look.
  

  This motif from an early Medieval standing stone from Tjangvide features a fuzzy, low-sheen thread for an organic look.

To the end of making metallics easier to run, I’ve even given a ‘Best Practices for Metallics’ list with the following alliterative list of things to try in your next shiny embroidery:

1. Fight the friction – Clean machines, lubricated thread, and light densities
2. Tightly control tension – Loosen up that top tension a little and watch to make sure it stays balanced
3.  Keep away kinks – Pass thread through something, increase the distance to the spool, or hang a weight on the thread to keep it from kinking before it hits the machine
4.  Slow the stitching – Slow it down to keep fluid motion and to give everything time to relax
5. Find a favorite – Find the metallic thread that runs best for your style design and your machine and stick to it
   

   This manuscript-styled monogram features a mixture of metallic threads and a metallic/rayon twist hybrid thread for extra sparkle.

For a more detailed look at specialty threads, check out the full article in the May 2015 edition of Printwear!