StrandedembroiderythreadEMBROIDERY THREAD
HAND
EMBROIDERY
WORKSHOP
Embroidery uses a needle and thread to make
stitches to create a design. You need to learn a
number of stitches, which you can fi nd on the
Homespun website: http://www.homespun.net.au/stitch-
guide. There are more than 70 stitches in the online
stitch guide. The basic stitches most commonly
used are backstitch, blanket stitch, satin stitch,
French knot, lazy daisy, fl y stitch and stem stitch.Stranded
Embroidery
Floss
Stranded thread is the thread
most often used for doing
embroidery work. It is widely
referred to as embroidery fl oss –
‘fl oss’ is simply thread that is
divisible. Embroidery fl oss has six
strands of thread. The number of
threads you need is dependent on
what type of work you are doing.
For example, when outlining you
would use one thread, for cross
stitch it is common to use two,
and needlepoint can use six.
Embroidery fl oss is available
in cotton, rayon and silk.The best-known cotton threads
are arguably DMC, due to their
high standard and longevity. More
recently, smaller companies have
introduced bespoke solid and
variegated colours onto the
Australian market. Cottage Garden
Threads are created by mother and
daughter duo, Pam and Katie, in
Victoria and their Signature Range
offers 222 variegated colours in
six-stranded cotton, perle 8 and
perle 12 weights.
Rayon fl oss provides bright colours
with a silk-like sheen. But it can be a
diffi cult to work with as it knots and
tangles easily. Working with shorter
lengths can lessen the problems.FEATURE
56 Homespun