The Sewing Place

variegated thread

rowe1311

variegated thread
« on: October 28, 2017, 22:41:46 PM »
Where can I get some variegated thread from that is good quality and good value?  Barnyarns seem to have a good selection, but I am still a bit baffled as to what to choose.  I am not sure whether I should find an all purpose variegated thread or go for an rayon one.  In the past with rayon when I have put it in the bobbin it has been problematic, but it seems to have worked better just on the top thread.   

The best value I can find on their site is this https://www.barnyarns.co.uk/miro-prism/, or this https://www.barnyarns.co.uk/mettler-thread-poly-sheen-100-trilobal-polyester-sewing-set-8-reels-x-200m-neutral-colours.html.  I am not sure whether this is good and easy to work with when doing FME and decorative stitches. 
« Last Edit: October 28, 2017, 22:45:14 PM by rowe1311 »

BrendaP

Re: variegated thread
« Reply #1 on: October 29, 2017, 00:14:43 AM »
What do you want to use the thread for?

Rayon threads are generally made for embroidery' they are not strong enough for sewing seams.  The tri-lobal polyester is also intended for machine embroidery, it is shinier than All Purpose polyester thread because it's a continuous filament whereas the All purpose is spun (like cotton) from short pieces of fibre.

If you want the thread for regular sewing Mako Aurifil 50 (cotton) is available in varigated colours
https://www.barnyarns.co.uk/aurifil-threads-mako-50/index4.html
Also

If you want a thicker thread for top stitching or quilting Superior Threads' King Tut comes in varigated.
https://www.barnyarns.co.uk/king-tut/
or Aurifil Mako 28
http://www.new-threads.com/aurifil-threads-15-c.asp
or Gütermann Sulky 30/2
https://wonderfil.co.uk/collections
For overlocking (if you can find it in UK) Maxilock Swirls is a fine polyester

Wonderfil make a wide range of threads, many of which come in varigated colours
https://wonderfil.co.uk/collections

I don't know of any regular "All purpose" polyester thread which comes in anything other than solid colours.

There is a lot of general info about different types of thread at
https://ylicorp.com/pages/thread-of-truth?customer_posted=true#contact_form

and a huge amount of useful info about threads etc at
https://www.superiorthreads.com/reference-guides
Brenda.  My machines are: Corona, a 1953 Singer 201K-3, Caroline, a 1940 Singer 201K-3, Thirza, 1949 Singer 221K, Azilia, 1957 Singer 201K-MK2 and Vera, a Husqvarna 350 SewEasy about 20 years old. Also Bernina 1150 overlocker and Elna 444 Coverstitcher.
http://paternoster.orpheusweb.co.

StitchinTime

Re: variegated thread
« Reply #2 on: October 29, 2017, 06:24:03 AM »
Empress Mills have their own range of variegated thread in 40wt and 30wt.
https://www.empressmills.co.uk/product-category/sewing-threads/embroidery-thread/

Stitchalot

Re: variegated thread
« Reply #3 on: October 29, 2017, 08:06:00 AM »
A few months ago I had a similar lusting for variegated thread, but mine was for overlocking. It was really difficult to find overlocking thread as most seems to be for embroidery but I ended up with some from the the bottom of this page and I love them. (I only use it in loopers, not the needles)
https://mibsfabrics.co.uk/Polyester-thread

(This website also has zips with rainbow coloured teeth which I have never seen before!)
« Last Edit: October 29, 2017, 08:27:20 AM by Stitchalot »

rowe1311

Re: variegated thread
« Reply #4 on: October 29, 2017, 19:09:09 PM »
Thanks for the advise, but I do feel a little more baffled than before.  I had no idea there were so many to consider.  What has confused me most is the weight of the thread. 

I am basically wanting some for machine embroidery, mainly FME on a normal sewing machine.  It will be for things like couching, automatic stitch patterns and machine embroidery on water soluble fabric.  I have a few rayon threads, and I find them a bit too shiny and quite like the duller more natural look you get with normal polyester thread.  Would the cones of overlocker thread work for machine embroidery as they don't need to be that strong?  They would seem to be a cheaper option but not sure if it would work well. 

Deafoldbat

Re: variegated thread
« Reply #5 on: October 29, 2017, 19:38:23 PM »
Quote
What has confused me most is the weight of the thread. 

The lower the weight, the thicker the thread, so 30wt is thicker than 40wt, which is thicker than 50wt (the usual sewing thread weight). There is also a Tex scale, which works the other way round, so the higher the tex number, the thicker the thread.

rowe1311

Re: variegated thread
« Reply #6 on: October 29, 2017, 21:21:53 PM »
The gutermann sultry looks like it might be the best option, and it comes in lots of shades.  Has anyone used this before?  And when will hobbycraft be doing there half price sale? I don't know if I have missed one recently but I have a few colours I am looking for at the moment and I might wait to get some sultry when the half price sale is back on. 

BrendaP

Re: variegated thread
« Reply #7 on: October 29, 2017, 21:47:09 PM »
It's Gütermann Sulky, not sultry!

There are half a dozen different Gütermann Sulky threads but only the cottons and the metallic come in varigated.
https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=gutermann+sulky&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&client=firefox-b&gfe_rd=cr&dcr=0&ei=GUr2Weq9OoiZwALVw5aQAQ
Brenda.  My machines are: Corona, a 1953 Singer 201K-3, Caroline, a 1940 Singer 201K-3, Thirza, 1949 Singer 221K, Azilia, 1957 Singer 201K-MK2 and Vera, a Husqvarna 350 SewEasy about 20 years old. Also Bernina 1150 overlocker and Elna 444 Coverstitcher.
http://paternoster.orpheusweb.co.

Acorn

Re: variegated thread
« Reply #8 on: October 29, 2017, 21:53:37 PM »
I've started using Gutermann Sulky and I'm really, really pleased with it.  I've only used the rayon (which does come in variegated - see Jaycotts) but I am going to try the cotton at some point because I do generally like a matte effect.

I might look as though I'm talking to you, but inside my head I'm sewing.

BrendaP

Re: variegated thread
« Reply #9 on: October 29, 2017, 21:57:05 PM »

I am basically wanting some for machine embroidery, mainly FME on a normal sewing machine.  It will be for things like couching, automatic stitch patterns and machine embroidery on water soluble fabric.  I have a few rayon threads, and I find them a bit too shiny and quite like the duller more natural look you get with normal polyester thread.  Would the cones of overlocker thread work for machine embroidery as they don't need to be that strong?  They would seem to be a cheaper option but not sure if it would work well.
The Sulky 30 is more like a top-stitch weight; it's thicker than regular Güterman SewAll (which is size 50) but should be OK for FME though I would use the regular size 50 in the bobbin.  You will probably need to reduce the tension on the needle thread.  The size 12 is very much thicker, more suited to hand embroidery.

Overlocker thread is finer than regular sewing thread so won't show up so well or have the surface covering ability that a thicker thread has.
Brenda.  My machines are: Corona, a 1953 Singer 201K-3, Caroline, a 1940 Singer 201K-3, Thirza, 1949 Singer 221K, Azilia, 1957 Singer 201K-MK2 and Vera, a Husqvarna 350 SewEasy about 20 years old. Also Bernina 1150 overlocker and Elna 444 Coverstitcher.
http://paternoster.orpheusweb.co.