Hello, my friends, and welcome to The Weekend!
Today, we’re going to delve into a confusing topic for your weekend reading. I’m going to direct you to a couple publications that I think are Very Interesting and that – I think! – will help allay some of the confusion around thread weight.
Thread weight. What does that mean? Yes, it has to do with weight, in a sense, but in practical, physical, visible terms, it really means thread thickness. That is, what we see of and about the thread when using the thread. It involves the thread make-up – strands, plies, twists, and all the engineering bits that go into make a particular thread what it is, so that it can perform as that thread is meant to perform.
It can be a really confusing topic. And I should clarify before you jump into it that most of what you’ll read in the publications below are related to regular sewing threads and machine threads more than hand embroidery threads (though sometimes, the principles are applicable, despite the category).
I’ll also share some extensive updates from the Studio End of Needle ‘n Thread! So… read on!
Thread education can be a true rabbit hole. There is absolutely nothing wrong with giving the whole topic a complete miss, if it’s not something that you’re curious about. If you prefer just to use the threads you like simple because you like them, and you don’t feel at all inclined to know anything about their make-up or particulars, that’s A-OK!
Don’t feel like you have to go floundering into the complexities of thread engineering in order to be a good embroiderer. You don’t!
But I do get asked a lot of questions about threads and their make-up. So I know there are folks out there who are curious about “what this means” or “what that means” when they see terminology or specifications on thread types.
YLI Threads is a thread company owned by Bob Purcell, who purchased the company in 2023. He and his wife Helen were the founders of Superior Threads, which they sold in 2016. Superior Threads is a well-known and beloved thread brand among quilters and machine embroiderers, and YLI is equally so.
Years ago, YLI used to produce a very fine silk embroidery floss, too, but to my knowledge, they no longer have a line of silk floss. They do have silk ribbon, though, and “ribbon floss,” both of which are used in the hand stitching world.
Additionally, they produce a love Silk #100, which is a super duper fine silk thread for hand sewing. I use it on goldwork when I need a very, very fine thread for couching goldwork.
Over on the YLI website, they have a really nice information section devoted to Thread Education.
In particular, I find these two resources to be very interesting and very helpful for understanding the particulars about thread weight. And while they are devoted mostly to information for quilters and others who use thread on machines, there is much useful information in them for anyone who uses thread in any form.
Thread Weight for Quilting: Your Complete Guide to Choosing the Right Thread
Thread Mastery Booklet – a downloadable PDF focusing on thread education. It’s very thorough!
Other Thread Weight Education
If you want to read some articles I’ve written about thread weight and embroidery threads, you might check out the following articles:
Comparing Cotton Threads, Stitched
Of course, there are a gazillion other articles on Needle ‘n Thread about all kinds of embroidery threads, but those two articles above will give you some insight into cottons commonly used for hand embroidery!
Updates in the World of Needle ‘n Thread!
I have a thumb. And it works!
The thumb surgery was successful! I’m still nursing the skin and scar into normality, and there are some surprising little jolts of pain now and then, but I don’t care about those little things!
I can stitch!
I can pick things up!
My thumb opposes!
It’s all very exciting.
I finished the maniturgium this week, and I will show it to you in its finished form quite soon.
I am working on the stitch-along project (the berries! hurray!) and hope to have it finished-finished very soon. I’m working on it from home in the afternoons, as much as I can.
Life on the home front has not changed. My sister and I are still in the continuous cycle of Dad-care. She comes to the house Mon-Fri, from 9:00-noon so that I can get some work time in at the Studio. Otherwise, I am at home, working as I can on Needle ‘n Thread between home stuff.
I have discovered that this situation is neither efficient nor conducive to much in the way of inspiration. LOL! It is, in fact, a bit mind-stultifying. I do so admire all the people in the world who have survived and flourished through similar situations! They are my heroes.
In the meantime, as far as Needle ‘n Thread goes, I’m just happy if we can stay afloat. Anna and I are both working hard behind the scenes, trying to bring you quality content, inspiration, and good things for your stitching life!
Speaking of Good Things
We’ve expanded our embroidery hoop offerings again, this time adding in two sizes of oval hoops!
These hoops are terrific for working longer, narrower pieces.
I also see them used a lot by sampler stitchers, too, because they so conveniently fit the horizontal segments often found in sampler designs. If you are particular about having just the right tool, just the right fit, you’ll love these! They feature strong, dual-sided brass hardware with a long screw, that works exceptionally well to keep the outer ring fitting snuggly on the inner on these irregular shapes.
Don’t confuse these hoops with cheap hoops that can’t get a grip because they’re not engineered to manage the irregular oval shape. These hoops work!
Ho ho ho! Guess what’s back in red?!? Hurray! I’m so glad to have these red Golden Forge scissors that I wrote about here available again.
I almost wasn’t going to mention it, because I know, come autumn and winter, people are always requesting them for their own holiday stitching, gifts, and whatnot, and they will likely be out of stock and unavailable again by then.
If you’ve been waiting for them, though, you deserve to know they are here, waiting for you.
Plus, they’d look stellar with your red, white, and blue needlework projects for summer!
Please don’t miss the opportunity to get your copy of Elisabetta Sforza’s newest book, Bouquet Letters, that I reviewed here the other day! They are going fast!
Now that I can stitch again, I am also back to my night-time project (above – I wrote about it here).
We’ve re-stocked a wide variety of these Avlea Folk Embroidery Kits. They are quite popular, and for good reason. They’re high quality kits, with everything you need to stitch the project: excellent charts with clear instructions, all the threads, fabric, and needles.
This kit has worked out well for me, to have something to do at night when sleep isn’t an option. It doesn’t require a lot of equipment, I don’t need a magnifier or any special lighting beyond my regular light to stitch it, and I can take it out and pack it up easily. I’m glad I’m able to get back to it now that I have a working thumb again.
And on the Website Side of Things…
Some of you have reached out to say that the images are not showing up in your email newsletters. We are exploring possible reasons for this. We’ve been working on upgrading and increasing security measures on the website, to ward off the ever-increasing AI bots and boogers that are constantly trolling the internet and attacking legit websites. So the glitch with the images may have to do with our security upgrades, and if so, we will have them ironed out as soon as possible.
In the meantime, if you’re having problems viewing the article in your email, please visit the website directly to see the latest article. I do have a professional team that takes care of major problems on the back end of the website, so I’ve put this in their hands and hope to see results quickly.
When it rains, it pours…
Thanks for putting up with the lengthy news and updates! I hope you enjoy the Thread Education resources above! And I’ll see you next week with project updates and other fun needlework chatter!
Have a wonderful weekend!
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