hi! this is embarassing but i'm trying to learn how to embroider, and i wanted to ask: how many threads are we supposed to put in the needle hole? i wasn't sure wehre to find this information...the tutorials show one thread but the thread from the embroidery spool is so big and won't fit when i try to thread it through the fabric :(
How many embroidery floss strands
It's okay, we all have to start somewhere.
A lot of us feel like everything we do has to be perfect on our first try, but that's just not realistic. It leads to us feeling embarrassed about messing up, and then giving up altogether.
Mistakes are an important part of learning any skill, and so is asking for help when you run into trouble.
And you know what? Asking questions you're embarrassed about is really brave, so good job on sending this ask in the first place!
Most embroidery floss consists of six separate strands. (This may vary depending on which type you use.)
(Image source) [ID: a bunch of green embroidery floss looped around a plastic tag labelled "320", lying on a white piece of fabric. One of the floss threads has been loosened up, showing the different threads it consists of. Text: "needlenthread.com".]
By having multiple strands at your disposal, you can choose how many to use. Using all six will give a bolder look than using just one strand. It's kind of similar to drawing: lines made with a big marker will look different than those of a fineliner.
(Image source) [ID: six short lines in stem stitch embroidered in light blue floss. Each line is numbered from one to six, indicating how many strands of floss were used per line. Text: "How many strands of thread to use? stitchfloral.blogspot.com".]
And just like how a fineliner or a bold marker will result in different effects, the amount of strands you use will effect what your embroidery looks like.
(Image source) [ID: two sets of an embroidered red and yellow flower paired with a green leaf. The set on the left has been embroidered with six strands of floss while the set on the right has been embroidered with only one strand of floss. Text: "© Sarah's Hand Embroidery".]
How many strands to use depends on the look you're going for and the fabric you're working on.
So, how do we decide how many strands to use? Ask yourself the following questions:
What visual effect do you want to achieve? A bold design, or something more delicate?
How much thread do I have? Can I afford to use six at the same time, or should I use my floss sparingly?
Do I want my embroidery to lay flat on the fabric, or do I want something raised?
Do I want to work fast and bold, or slow and detailed?
What's the most comfortable amount of strands to work with for me personally?
What's my fabric like? Can it handle six strands, or would that result in damaging it? Does my thread count match the needle I want to use?
Which amount of floss is the most appropriate choice for the stitch I'm using?
If you're unsure, try your stitch and strand combination on a scrap of spare fabric first and see what it looks like before tackling your project. Make sure to use a needle that's appropriate for your fabric and thread, too.
(Image source) [ID: four cross-stitched blue hearts on white canvas. Each heart is labelled one to four and was stitched with a different amount of thread, resulting in different fabric coverage.]
How many strands to use depends on your project, your design, and your fabric. It can be hard to choose how many to use at first, but this is something you get a feel for the more you practice.
For more information, check out these strand guides by Needle 'n Thread, Crewel Ghoul, Sarah's Hand Embroidery Tutorials, Stitch Floral, and Better Cross Stitch Patterns.
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