Date: 10/20/09 4:45 PM

I can't seem to find the answer anywhere, i've been looking and even the machines manuel says nothing. Bobbin thread. I KNOW it comes in two colours black and white and is used in the bobbin for embroidery. But after checking out a few free projects from Embroidery Library I have a new question. Does bobbin thread come in other colours?! What else could one use in the bobbin for embroidery and is it even possible to use rayon in the bobbin. (i'm guessing not, but i have to ask)

There are lots of projects I want to try but the instructions say to use bobbin thread of the same or similar colour. I'm baffeled.

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2005- 38.10m
2006- 252.90m
2007- 433.90m
2008 - 665.09m
2009 - 487.54m

I own a kilometre. Almost finished a second.

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Reply to Reverie
Date: 10/20/09 6:01 PM

You can use Rayon, Cotton, or Polyester, and any color you need,,

That being said,, its not really the color that is the difining thing,, but weight,, IMO,, most EM use 50w bobbin thread, that is generally the tension the bobbin is set for,, you can use 40w, which is the weight most emb thread comes in, and is the most popular weight of thread, if you need to use the same color of thread in the bobbin as in the top,, that is fine,,

There is also a 60 w thread that is very fine,, mostly for fine lacemaking, or heirloom,, generally that is cotton. HTH...

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Mickie

http://sew-something.blogspot.com/

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Date: 10/21/09 1:35 AM

my local sewing shop carries the prewounds in several popular colors, if you don't want to wind them. They are out there, if you need them.
I usually use white for everything, because I bought a huge amount of prewounds in white, but sometimes white just doesn't work for your project. So I have wound the poly embroidery thread on bobbins and it works fine.

Cheri

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I sew stuff, grow stuff, make stuff and bake stuff.....
Brother PC8200, Kenmore 18221, Kenmore 385.12614490, Kenmore 148.13023 and Kenmore Serger 16655

"If you can follow directions, you can sew!"

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Date: 10/21/09 9:11 AM

When a project says to use the same color for bobbin and top thread, I just wind a bobbin using the same thread as I'm using on top. It's usually for something like the edge satin stitching on an in-the-hoop project, or lace. The heavier weight in the bottom won't matter for this.

I also tend to use matching bobbin thread when I'm stitching out text. For some reason, especially on small font sizes, I just cannot seem to get my Janome 350e to stop showing bobbin thread on the font edges at certain angles of stitching. Much less hassle to just match top and bottom thread that to fuss with tension!

That being said, I've had absolutely NO LUCK using rayon thread in a bobbin. It's an instant thread nest for me, so I match the rayon top thread as closely as I can to a poly that I wind in the bobbin. Good enough for me!

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Date: 10/21/09 10:13 AM

Is regular thread ok? or is that too thick? Bobbin thread seems thinner to me. Would machine quilting or serging thread be better?

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2005- 38.10m
2006- 252.90m
2007- 433.90m
2008 - 665.09m
2009 - 487.54m

I own a kilometre. Almost finished a second.

Next page>>

Date: 10/21/09 11:05 AM

You really need to use 50wt or 60 wt embroidery thread.

Serger thread is going to be too linty and flimsy, and regular machine/quilting thread will be too heavy.

That said, there are a small number of designs which are meant to be stitched out in heavy weight cotton thread, but those are clearly identified by the distributor. Using quilting or sewing thread for an ordinary design will be a mess - your design will end up far too stiff/dense/heavy, you'll probably end up with broken and shredded thread, and you may damage your machine by trying to "hammer" thick thread through the fabric over and over again.

Typically, machine embroidery bobbin thread is very fine, and very strong - fine polyester thread. And it's typically white for everything. You only use colored bobbin thread when a particular design or situation requires it.

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Date: 10/21/09 11:25 AM

Organza Ornaments

This is the idea behind all the madness and the silly questions. White is what I use for the most part and coloured bobbin never occured to me until I saw that. I thought it would be perfect for decorating a present this season. I'm making some in white for testing, but i will eventually want to do other in say, green, navy, red, and the like.

What brands distribute coloured bobbin thread or what I could use in for the bobbin? I haven't seen (doesn't mean they dont' have any i'm probably just missing it) any at my local store and they only right now carry Sulky, Marathon and Hemmingsworth thread.

Link I found this online, but i don't know if its any good or not..

EDIT: that link to Embroidery library doesn't work.... it takes you just to the project page...
-- Edited on 10/21/09 11:47 AM --

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2005- 38.10m
2006- 252.90m
2007- 433.90m
2008 - 665.09m
2009 - 487.54m

I own a kilometre. Almost finished a second.

Next page>>

Date: 10/21/09 3:40 PM

For embroidery, I love Superior Threads "The Bottom Line" in the bobbin. It's a 60wt polyester and is outstanding for machine embroidery. Wind your bobbin with it and lasts forever!

I try and match my bobbin color to my fabric.

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Bernina 830 • Bernina 630 • Bernina 1300MDC • Babylock BLCS • HQ16 • Singer 201-2
www.createdbycj.com

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Date: 11/3/09 4:26 PM

has anyone used robison anton pre-wound bobbins (60 wt polyester)?

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Date: 11/3/09 9:47 PM

What CJ Tinkle said. I love Bottom Line, usually buy the large industrial look cones, but in a couple neutral colors like white, ivory, camel and black.

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