Hi, Diane – I’m not really an expert in historical samplers. I love them, but they don’t often fall into my stitching line up! You might ask someone like Nicola Parkman at Hands Across the Sea samplers, or someone like Tricia Nguyen at Thistle Threads. They’ve both looked at historical needlework quite closely to ferret out what threads should be used where.

No discussion about Perle and embroidery floss would be complete without discussing what the different “sizes” really means. The sizes of Perle threads is the numbers of metres per gram. Thus

I am looking for something that would be very comparable to Anchor’s pearl cotton size 12 in the 926 color (light beige/ecru) Any suggestions?

But I do mean quality. The rule I have for tooling in general is "buy once, cry once" because some of what appears "good enough" on that web site named after the jungle and the river has turned out to be literal garbage. As in, I couldn't even reuse the steel, and I threw them in the garbage.

Threadweight chart

Have a question I hope you can answer: do all DMC Pearl Cotton colors come in all of the sizes? There are a handful of colors that I need in a size 8…I can’t find them anywhere, but I’ve been able to locate them in a size 5? Thank you!

Sewingthreadthickness mm

1 Been there, bought the T-shirt ^_^ This is a continual frustration working with softwoods, but some hardwoods can be prone to the issue too (perhaps most prevalent in coarser-grained species).

So if I usually stitch with 2 strands of a 6-stranded cotton (say DMC or Anchor), what weight of Pearl Cotton would that correspond to?

I am working on a wool applique . I am use a #16 perle cotton to sew down the pieces and would like to use floss to do the same – I am not sure how many threads of floss “equal” #16 perle cotton thickness. Barb

Thank you for this explanation of various threads. I’m just starting punchneedle embroidery and am only familiar with regular floss. After this, I plan to try various other threads to see how they affect the finished project.

Perle cottons are up first. You may or may not be familiar with perle cotton. It’s the stuff you find on the wall in the craft sections at hobby stores, in twisted skeins or wound into small balls of thread. You can also find it at needlework shops, especially those devoted to needlepoint, because perle cotton in the larger sizes is often used for needlepoint.

Sizes 3 and 5 are heavier, used often for needlepoint and sometimes for surface embroidery. Sizes 8 and 12 are relatively fine threads, often used for tatting and crocheted edgings and the like, as well as for embroidery.

Hi, Lynn – Lacis.com carries candlewicking thread. If you go to their online catalog and search “candlewicking” the matte cotton threads normally used for it will come up. There are two item numbers JS02 and JS03. Perle cotton is not a matte cotton thread, and it is quite tightly twisted. I think the size #3 would be far too heavy, and it would give a completely different look to the stitching. I’d try the stuff at Lacis.com before substituting to a totally different thread, since switching out can sometimes make the stitching experience significantly less pleasurable!

Threadnumber chart

Hi Mary, I get your emails everyday and even though I have done very little embroidery… I am fascinated by all the information. Some time ago I taught some children how to do cross-stitch and back-stitch. I wanted to use indivisible thread rather than floss(I thought it would be simpler) but because I didn’t know about the options you mention in today’s post,I bought a whole array of the ‘craft’ thread from Michael’s. Is ‘craft’ thread explained somewhere on your site? Is it one of the above? Or is it just simply a ‘no-no’?

Today, let’s line those two threads up with more familiar cotton embroidery threads: perle cottons and regular 6-stranded floss.

Wow, Mary, I have enjoyed your posts immensely all along, but my goodness you are truly outdoing yourself. This is extraordinary information. Understanding your “tools” and mediums is so important to the finished product. Thank you, thank you. I feel like I am taking a class so that I can later produce something wonderful.

Work a line of whatever stitch you’re using for the appliqué, and then test two strands, three strands, etc., to find the thickness of floss that you like best.

They differ in number of plies twisted together to make the individual strand: perle cottons and floss are made of two plies; floche is made of five plies; coton a broder is made of four plies.

What it boils down to is this: the weight of the thread (the thickness) and the degree of the twist (and the number of plies) make a difference in the way stitches look. These characteristics affect the size of stitches, the way the stitches work together and fit together, and the way the stitches reflect light. And all of these points influence the outcome of your embroidery.

Clearance holes of a suitable size are important to say the least, because if the hole in the first piece of wood is engaged by even one or two turns of threading on the screws it can lead to bridging.

I have been following your emails for a few years but have not tried anything until now. I am going to work on the Secret Garden project, have my fabric and pattern. This is so exciting. I haven’t done serious embroidery work since I was a young mother. Your explanations for this project are so clear and encouraging. I actually think that I can do this. At 75 it is great to be able to take on a new challenge to learn and be inspired. Thank you so much.

I,too, am continually amazed at how well and thorough you cover your explanations.I have learned and continue to learn so very much from you. As an educator you are, by far, the best I have ever encountered. Your explanation of the threads and their characteristics gives us more knowledge in how and when to choose a certain thread which is extremely helpful to me. I now understand them and will be more able to choose the one best for the job at hand. Thanks again for being such a great teacher!! I hope you know how much you are appreciated. Deonia in Florida

I love to do punchneedle pictures. I frequently use anywhere from 1-3 strands of DMC floss depending on the fineness of the detail I’m looking for. I’d love to try different threads to vary the look I achieve but I’m not familiar with any threads outside common DMC skeins. I like natural threads like cotton or wool as long as they are colorfast. Does anyone have any experience using more fine weights of thread (like 1-3 strands) besides DMC floss while punching? Thank you!

This is fantastic. Likely kind of dull for you, but for those of us who have never seen floche and coton a border before, it is fantastic. I can’t wait to see more. Then maybe I’ll actually try stitching with a new thread type!

However, I will say that for me, personally, I've settled on quality tapered countersinking bits when working with engineered wood products. I find the taper works best with an accurate transition to the clearance hole for the shank, and leaves a nice clean, snug place for the head to clamp down into. For your reference I work a lot with so-called "Baltic" veneers, but also a little with OSG material.

First time to visit your site and I have learned so much. Thanks for the clear concise description of the different threads! I’m thinking about starting back up doing embroidery, I used to when I was younger. My friend embroiders as a meditative activity. Just small pieces of fabric and backing and she lets the fabric “tell her” what to stitch!

Finding out about new embroidery materials and techniques is always a treat. I have never used perle cotton #12. Could you recommend a supplier of DMC perle cotton #12 that carries a good selection colors? Thanks Carolyn

CoatsthreadTex and ticket chart

3 It is perfectly fine if they don't, as long as you know this going in. These bits still save a step, even if you have to subsequently open up the top hole slightly for your screws of choice.

Notice that it is heavier than the single strand of floss, and it seems to correspond size-wise to the #12 perle cotton, which is right above the thick bright blue floss. However, they’re not quite the same size, and their construction is different, so the threads will behave differently when you stitch with them.

And the elephant in the room... These bits are by definition used for drilling holes for what we might term 'joinery screws', and in wood joinery traditionally there were three parts to a properly drilled screw hole, the pilot and countersink/counterbore obviously, but also the clearance hole.

Thank you for such a quick response. I’ve mostly used 6 stranded Anchor and DMC cottons as well as perle cottons, so silk is a new entity to me. I will read your articles and make some choices from there.

This was so helpful!! I’m ordering thread online to use along with my crocheting, and this guide explained the sizes and differences perfectly!

You can substitute 2 strands of floss for #12 perle (Since 25 meters per grams divided by 12 meters per grams equals 2.08)

Mrs. Corbet, Thanks so much! That satisfies so much curiosity and answers so many questions! This information will be extremely helpful in the future.

I learned to embroider when I was a kid, when everyone was really into cross stitch (remember the '80s?). Eventually, I migrated to surface embroidery, teaching myself with whatever I could get my hands on...read more

I am sewing a collarless lined, long stretch velvet jacket. I am at the point where the pattern says to machine topstitch all around the neckline and down both sides of the front. Rather than do that by machine, I would like to make running stitches with perle cotton, by hand. I want the stitching to be not only functional, but decorative also. I was thinking of using size 8 perle cotton. What size hand needle should I use? The jacket is a plain copper and will have a black lining. Do you think that I should match or contrast the the stitching? It will be worn mostly with pants, leggings and jeans.

This info is the part of the foundation work of a great outcome in the finish of a project. With your info, I am slowly building up knowledge of needles, threads and fabrics while completing some fun projects that turn into gifts. (except the Nesting Place — that is mine!) Your work is a blessing Mary. Thanks a bunch.

I am interested to start a schwalm project. The recommended thread is dmc broder special. But I cant seem find it anywhere locally or Europe. Can I change this to DMC perle cotton? Many thanks

Recently I purchased DMC Pearl Cotton Balls Size 8. The Balls are marked 8S. The thread is more like a Size 12. Has DMC recently made a change in their Pearl Cottons?

Thank you for the help. I am new to pearl cotton and it was recommended for portions of the sampler, and did not give the size it should be.

Threadweight to Tex conversion

Now, let’s throw the ever-familiar 6-stranded cotton floss into the mix. In the photo above, “e” is a full six strands of floss, while “f” is one strand taken from the six.

Thank you so much for explaining all these thread differences. It just hadn’t occurred to me before how important it is to know, – just as an artist needs to know how different paints behave. Loving this site!

Stranded cotton (called “floss” in the States) is a divisible thread, up to a point. After you pull the full thread from the skein, it can be separated into 6 finer strands, each of which can be used for very fine embroidery, or which can be put back together in any number of strands, for increasingly bolder lines.

Just got into Perle cotton. Would like to use #5 for a stitching project, but I can’t thread my needle, even with a needle threader, because it’s too thick. Advice? I assume I need a needle with a bigger eye that would still work with 14 ct Aida. Suggestions?

You have the best rxplaination I have seen so far. I have just started punch needle. I am trying to find out what size perle cotton would be about the thickness of three strands of DMC floss. What woyld you suggest?

Hi, Mary. I’m enjoying all this information about threads. Since I added bobbin lacemaking to my list of hobbies (obsessions?), I’ve often used the book Threads for Lace by Brenda Paternoster who lives in the U.K. Her book lists 1425 threads from around the world by brand name and size, if available. There are separate chapters for linen, cotton, silk and hair threads, synthetic and manmade threads, and glitter threads. She includes whether threads are S or Z twist and the number of wraps per centimeter which Brenda determines herself. The number of wraps/cm helps lacemakers find a substitute thread of the same thickness when a pattern calls for a thread that we don’t have or is unavailable. The more wraps/cm, the thinner the thread is. There is another chapter that lists all threads by the number of wraps/cm which is a great help.

Threadweight chart PDF

You might check DMC perle cotton 12 in color number 712. I don’t know if it will be exact, because I don’t have them to compare, but on color conversion charts between DMC and Anchor, 712 is the corresponding color for Anchor 926. Hope that helps!

And equally importantly, brad-point bits by their very nature are easier to precisely locate on pencilled markings or into an awl depression, with almost zero chance of 'walking' like with twist bits.

Pipers regular silk “floss” is a very fine, flat silk. It’d be hard to compare it to a thread like DMC floss, but, strand-wise, one strand is finer than DMC. You can always use more than one strand at a time.

Like the floche and coton a broder we discussed earlier this week, perle cotton is a non-divisible thread, which means you use one strand of it as it comes off the skein or ball. You don’t break it down into smaller sizes. If you try to break it down and stitch with it, you’ll find that the thread strength is compromised, and the thread will shred easily and fall apart.

I’m enjoying the information but sadly, not likely to remember it all. I can barely remember what I had for breakfast yesterday. Is there any way to have a single page with a photo of the 8 threads above with name and number to compare size. And then a line or two about each one that describes plies, strands, divisible or not and what they’re good for? Sure thing – in your spare time just whip it up for us. LOL But it would be an excellent reference for us.

Mary, I seldom print out articles, but your discussions on threads are going onto paper and into my work bag. Will you be going into silks, wools, linens, soys, or the more unusual fibers?

As I mention in my Comment above, there are no clear reasons to prefer one type over the other for varied materials, except possibly whether you commonly use straight or tapered screws.

I am stitching the sampler Stitch Therapy 365. Bc I have so much DMC emb floss, I decided to use that instead of the Aurifil floss which is recommended. Would you think 2 strands of the DMC would equal the Aurfil floss? thanks!

I’m trying to figure out what kind of thread to get for my mom who has done candle wick quilting for years. The thread that she was using is no longer carried in the catalog…and I can’t quite figure out if what she probably needs to substitute would be a #3 perle?? thanks for the help.

Another resource – you might try looking up Luzinne Happel in Germany. She could tell you where to find whitework and Schwalm supplies.

One thread featured above is divisible – the regular stranded cotton floss that breaks down into six usable individual threads.

Sewingthreadsize chart PDF

Once you get down to the single strand, though, it cannot be further divided for use, or it loses its strength and integrity.

I learned to embroider when I was a kid, when everyone was really into cross stitch (remember the '80s?). Eventually, I migrated to surface embroidery, teaching myself with whatever I could get my hands on...read more

The articles are somewhat old – I’ll be doing some updates soon on the subject. In fact, it’s on my list of articles in the next several weeks. Eterna silk no longer exists (the business went belly up).

I have just visited http://paternoster.orpheusweb.co.uk/ which Ruth Lyon suggested regarding threads. I looked at the addendums to Brenda’s book and have been bowled over by the plethora of threads available around the world. Thank you Ruth.

Perle cottons are also favorites with hand-dyers, which is why you can find many specialty colors and over-dyed perle cottons available through individual small thread-dying businesses.

Is 1 strand of DMC 6 strand floss thicker than 1 strand of DMC size 12 pearl cotton? I want to use the size 12 pearl cotton for blackwork if possible.

Also, if you search online for “Mountmellick Thread” and you find a place that carries it, it normally comes in at least three weights (thicknesses) and is the same stuff, essentially.

So, if you choose to buy the straight type I would suggest giving strong consideration to those NOT based on regular twist drills, unless the point of the drill is ground specifically for wood 2.

But if you are talking about a #3 perle cotton compared to the full six strands of floss, I would say that it is close a 3. Or perhaps between a 3 and a 5.

What size is the standard 6 strand embroidery thread? From what I can tell each strand is size 25, but what does that make them together? Is it closest to size 3? That’s how it looks in the picture

I am continually amazed at the detail and care you take to explain & to photograph all that goes into your decisions on each piece. Thank you for such a thorough education.

Hi, Barbara – I’d probably use a size 24 chenille – maybe a 22. Or you could try a size 5 crewel needle. You’d have to test it. I don’t know how the fabric and the needle will play together. There’s the whole stretch thing going on, which can cause puckering problems as you stitch. I think you should test different needles, maybe on scrap fabric, and see how the stitching goes. If you’re top stitching at this point, I’m guessing the lining is already sewn together with the velvet? Will you be hand stitching through both the lining and the fabric? As for color and contrast, that’s really a personal thing. If you want the stitching to show up (which is, I suppose, the whole point of decorative stitching), then a contrast might be better than a match!

It is helpful to know this if one wants to use multiple strands of embroidery floss in place of Perle thread. Because of the degree of twist in Perle vs. how someone chooses to use multiple strands of floss (do they twist them together and if so how tightly do they twist them together?) equivalent weight is not the same as equivalent thickness but it is the best available means of comparison. So…

If you separate the twists on one usable strand of cotton floss, you can see that it is also made up of two plies of thread twisted together.

Hi, Jennifer – not all DMC perle cottons come in all the same colors, across the different size lines. But I think the 8 is the size with the most colors. Something like 225 colors? Have you tried Herrschner’s? Or 123Stitch? Or maybe even DMC USA lists them on their website?

This is especially important now with modern (mostly straight) screws which so frequently have threading over the entire shaft. See a previous Answer on wood screws for a bit more on that.

If you separate the twists, you find that perle cotton is constructed of two plies of thread twisted together in a relatively tight twist.

I looking to buy a set of countersink bits and I'm seeing both tapered and non-tapered versions. Is this personal preference or is there a reason to use one other the other? I mostly work with hardwoods but do work a bit with ply woods as well.

Much more useful info as relates to design details of these combo bits at the following links: Straight vs. Tapered Countersink Drill Bits? on ToolGuyd. Countersink Bits – More to Them Than You Might Think! on Popular Woodworking. Amana-Tool Carbide-Tipped Countersink Bits on Fine Woodworking.

I love thread talk and you have explained in great detail the differences and the effect these threads have on embroidery projects.I love the examples of the thickness and twists of the threads above. I didn’t know that chemicals was added to these strands to make a sheen that is very interesting. I can’t wait for the visual stitch examples that will really help me in choosing threads for my future projects. Please could you do the same for silk threads which I tend to use more then the mercerised cotton threads. Thanks Mary for the examples and the photos which are great examples on the variations of thread very helpful.

I’ve learned so much from reading your blog. Its an indispensable resource. I look forward to buying from your shop as a way to keep this blog going! I’m just a lowly beginner but I am so inspired by you. Its like I’m getting a college education via the internet.

I have several balls of my grandmothers Perle cotton from her days of Swedish stitch Samplers. I don’t have any labels to show what size, either 3 or 5. She used Huck toweling to do the craft, and her work is museum quality. I want to do some towels, I know how to do the stitch, just need practice. Can you help me?

And now, we’ll throw some floche into the mix. We already discussed floche in detail here. In the photo above, it’s the green thread at the bottom of the photo.

You can substitute 8 strands of floss for #3 perle (Since 25 meters per grams divided by 3 meters per grams equals 8.33.)

I have often wondered if using size 12 perle coton could be use instead of two strands of floss when doing red work. It seems to me that it would twist less in the needle with one strand of perle than two strands of floss. Any comments?

Hi, Charmaine – you might try looking for what’s called “soft cotton.” There are different websites in Europe that sell whitework theeads, like Marie Suarez in France.

(SE sites aren't for shopping, but at the risk of making an Answer that'll age poorly, you could not go wrong by looking at the recommendations and sponsors for YouTube channels like "Stumpy Nubs".)

I love your site and the detail you go into with every post you make. This site has propelled me from doodle stitcher to beginner embroiderer but I’m a little confused. I’m looking to buy silks but find the terms confusing. Do you have a post that compares them? I’ve been looking at Pipers Silks but they compare their threads to other brands and sizes which isn’t helping. Thank you for your help

Thank you for all you do for us out here….. There is hardly a day that goes by the you have not enlightened me about something new.

It doesn’t quite work that way, because you’re comparing sizes across different types of threads, which are numbered differently.

Thank you so much for this tutorial on threads. I started embroidering as a young girl, taught by my mother, who was busy raising a brood of 8 children. I had never used anything but the embroidery thread that was in the case at the local 5 and dime. Now, as an older adult I have the time to expand my knowledge, but didn’t know where to start. I’m planning to follow along on the hummingbird project and am enjoying every one of your posts. Thank you!

WOW! All my questions answered! Thank you for taking the time to show examples and photograph them. Your explanations are understandable, which makes you a good teacher.

This is all very interesting. When my husband came up behind me just now, giving me a hard time for being on the computer, I told him that this was me going to school. Thank you for all your info. I will be very interested as you continue to analyze thread in preparation for the hummingbird.

Texthreadsize chart

Thank you , thank you for the great information on threads….. I really understand more about the different types now….. I loved the information…….

Hello Mary so interesting but I’m a beginner to punchneedle I’m looking for thread on a ball which I can purchase in the uk and is equivalent to 3 strand thick ness there are so many I don’t know I would realy appreciate your help thankyou so much for your time kind regards lynn

Another factor to consider with straight bits is how clean the initial hole is. You might be thinking the countersink will naturally clean the edge of the drilled hole as soon as it reaches the surface, but there's no absolute guarantee a flake won't be lifted that reaches a little beyond the full countersink/counterbore radius1. This is obviously more of an issue with twist bits than brad-point/lip-and-spur bits.

Brenda publishes her own books, and I believe the last one is Threads for Lace Edition 5. Her list of threads continues to grow, so she is now listing additional threads on her website http://paternoster.orpheusweb.co.uk/

Stack Exchange network consists of 183 Q&A communities including Stack Overflow, the largest, most trusted online community for developers to learn, share their knowledge, and build their careers.

All of the threads above (including the stranded cotton) have the same construction. The photo above is perle cotton #3 up close.

They differ in the tightness of the twist used to combine the plies. The stranded cotton and the floche have the loosest twists, coton a broder falls in the middle, and perle cottons have a tighter twist.

Thank you very much! I have a random selection of threads either inherited or bought at garage sales, and this has identified most of them for me. At a guess the exceptions – ‘Lion Triumphant Best English made rope embroidery’ and the almost-identical ‘Perilusta stout embroidery for art needlework’ – are size 3 perle.

How often do we actually think about the threads we stitch with? What do we know about them and the way they behave? I like to occasionally explore these questions by looking at threads up close, because it’s helpful to know a bit about embroidery threads when making thread choices for embroidery projects.

Thank you for this tutorial. What size pearl cotton do you recommend for historic sampler patterns? I was thinking of using 8, but is 5 better?

Thanks again! I keep making broad internet searches on needle related topics, and then smiling that sure enough, the useful article was yours. Again. So, thank you for all the work you’ve done for the rest of us!

Hi, Melanie – Here are some articles on Needle ‘n Thread comparing silks: https://needlenthread.wpengine.com/2007/07/embroidery-threads-comparison-of.html https://needlenthread.wpengine.com/2007/03/comparing-flat-silks-for-hand-2.html https://needlenthread.wpengine.com/2007/02/comparing-flat-silks-for-hand.html https://needlenthread.wpengine.com/2009/11/comparison-of-flat-silks-stitched.html

You can substitute 3 strands of floss for #8 perle (Since 25 meters per grams divided by 8 meters per grams equals 3.12.)

Hi, I have enjoyed your website so much since finding it a couple of years ago. Just now I was trying order cotton perele online and realized I did not know which way the numbers went. Duh ! I did a Google search and low and behold Needle & Thread was at the top of the list. Here I am having read the information that I needed and I wanted to say Thank you so much for all of your hard work with this website. I comeback time and time again and watch your videos. From now on when I have a embroidery question of any kind I will just come here first. Thank you so very much for all of your help in the past and in the future. Sincerely Sonya Wear

Cotton floss is not as tightly twisted as pearl cotton. It has a much softer twist, making it more suitable to certain types of embroidery, especially satin stitching and long and short stitch. There’s more “spread” with floss, because of the softer twist.