Embroidery Threads

Trilobal polyester is the secret behind professional-looking embroidery that catches the light beautifully. Unlike regular polyester sewing thread made from matte-finish, round fibers, trilobal fibers have three distinct sides (think of a triangular cross-section) that reflect light from multiple angles. This creates the gorgeous, high-sheen, almost luminous quality you see in professional embroidery. Our Elite thread collection is made from trilobal polyester, giving your embroidery designs vibrancy and dimension.

Metallic threads can create stunning embroidery, and using the right needle and tension settings will help ensure success. First and most important: use a Topstitch #90/14 needle. The extra-large eye and deep groove protect the delicate metallic fibers from shredding and breaking. Second, loosen your top tension dramatically - set it to 1.0 and only increase it if your stitches are unbalanced. Metallic thread tends to be less elastic than other threads, so it needs looser tension to flow smoothly through your machine without snapping. Third, pair it with a fine, lint-free bobbin thread, such as 60 wt Precision. Fourth, slow your embroidery speed down - stitching with metallic threads is not a sprint. With these adjustments, metallic thread transforms from frustrating to fabulous, creating embroidery that absolutely sparkles.

Absolutely! Prewound bobbins are lifesavers for embroidery. We offer Class 15 and L-style prewound bobbins, wound with our lint-free 60 wt. polyester thread, Precision.

The beauty of prewound bobbins is their consistency. Every bobbin is wound on high-tech machines that apply perfect, even tension and hold significantly more thread than you'd wind on your home machine's bobbin winder. This means fewer mid-project bobbin changes and more consistent stitch quality throughout your embroidery.

Precision thread is ideal for embroidery because it stays hidden on the back while your gorgeous decorative top thread shines on the front. Many embroiderers keep a stash of prewound bobbins on hand so they never have to stop mid-design to wind a bobbin. It's one of those time-saving shortcuts that improves the experience.

These recommendations apply to 40 wt. threads, such as Elite and Variations. Set your top tension between 3.0 and 4.5. Embroidery thread, especially trilobal polyester like Elite, performs best with slightly reduced tension that allows the thread to flow smoothly through the machine. If you see bobbin thread pulling to the top, loosen your top tension further. If the top thread shows on the back, tighten it slightly. Always test on a scrap piece with a stabilizer before starting your project. For metallic threads, start at 1.0 to 1.5 and increase the top tension as needed. Metallic threads are more delicate and benefit from looser tension and a slower stitch per minute.

Elite is our 40 wt. trilobal polyester thread with a brilliant, light-catching sheen that makes embroidery and quilting designs stand out. The trilobal cross-section (three-sided like a prism) reflects light in multiple directions, creating a lustrous finish that rivals rayon without its drawbacks. Unlike rayon, Elite is colorfast and won't fade or bleed when washed. It's strong, easily withstanding the tension of high-speed embroidery and longarm quilting machines without breaking. Elite is completely lint-free, so your machine stays clean while you stitch. The combination of high sheen, strength, and colorfastness makes Elite a favorite for both machine embroidery and decorative quilting.

Variations is our 40 wt. variegated polyester thread with 2-3-inch color transitions. This means the thread changes color every 2-3 inches of stitching. The short repeat interval lets you see the full color range, even in smaller embroidery motifs and quilting designs. Unlike threads with longer color changes (6+ inches), Variations creates dynamic visual interest without requiring large designs to showcase the full color palette. Each colorway features complementary colors that blend beautifully, from subtle tonal variations to bold multicolor combinations. Variations is completely lint-free, strong, and handles high-speed stitching beautifully.