Embroidery Basics Articles

10/28/2016 Threads & Bobbins Embroidery Article
when exposed to sunlight. There are fluorescent
neons, tweeds, and those that glow in the dark, along
with numerous others. Usually found at a higher cost,
most embroiderers purchase special ef fect threads
only when necessary for a particular project, but it
doesn’t hurt to keep one or two small spools for those
adventurous days of experimentation. V ery often
samples are of fered at embroidery events and trade
shows, and some manufacturers of fer small samples
at a low price.
Bobbin Thread
The bobbin thread is loaded below the needle plate
and during sewing it connects to the top thread to hold
the stitches securely in place. For some projects that
will show both sides of the embroidery , as with a
napkin, embroiderers will wind the bobbin with the
same thread as used for top thread, but in general, a
less expensive thread manufactured specifically for
the bobbin, works very well. Most commonly it is found
as a thin 60 WT polyester; a strong, thread that lies
closer to the fabric, eliminating unnecessary bulk.
Some embroiderers who prefer to wind their own
bobbins purchase bobbin thread by the spool or cone,
and others who produce a high volume of embroidery ,
or those who have a personal preference to remain
prepared, purchase pre­wound bobbins by the case.
The L­style pre­wound bobbin works for most all
machines; some have cardboard sides, plastic sides
or no sides at all. Commercial machines work very
well with bobbins that have a magnetic core because
the magnetic force stops excessive spinning, which is
often the cause of thread breaks. T esting dif ferent
styles of pre­wound bobbins will reveal which works
best in your particular commercial machine.
Some home machines are reported by users to sew
best with a 90 WT polyester bobbin thread available in
spools, cones and pre­wound Class 15/A 90# W eight.
Machine models include Brother: PE­700, PE­750D,
PE­150V, PE­170D, PE­180D, PE­700II, PE­780D,
PE770, PE500, HE1, DreamMaker XE VE2200, and
Simplicity SB7050E; also various models of Baby
Lock, Bernina, Singer , and most all models of Janome
machines. Many machine manufacturers of fer their
own brand of 90 WT bobbin thread to be used
specifically on their machines.Check your manual for
the manufacturer ’s bobbin recommendation.
Thread & Bobbin Storage
If you want your threads to last, give them a good
home. Keep them safe from sunlight and dust, and be
aware that thread does best in a constant average
humidity. Direct sunlight, will not only fade color , it can
dry out and rot the fibers. Dust that collects on the
spool or cone will make its way to the machine,
causing sewing problems like thread breaks. Humidity
either too low or too high will damage thread; if the
area is dry, threads will become brittle and if it is high,
threads can mold.
Evaluate your environment with the use of a humidity
gage and use a humidifier or dehumidifier to adjust
the percentage accordingly to what is necessary to
maintain an average of about 40­60%. In the Midwest
where it is most often humid in summer and requires
a dehumidifier to avoid mold, it becomes extremely dry
indoors during the winter months. My solution has
been to run an inexpensive vaporizer in the sewing
room when the humidity gage drops below 35%.
Manufacturers advise to also maintain temperature
between 50 ˚F and 77 ˚F (15 ˚C and 25 ˚C).
Small spools of thread and bobbins can be stored in
plastic containers where they are safe from most all
environmental issues, but this storage solution can
become quite costly , especially if you acquire an
abundance of large cones. Thread racks or pegs with
peg board can be used, combined with the protection
of a curtain or in a cabinet or closet to keep out dust
and sunlight. I keep my threads on a 4­shelf unit, faced
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