We are often asked what threads we use for our kits, so here is some information on our favourites but keep in mind that these are personal preferences. 

Before we start, a little about threads generally...

• Dark cards are best stitched with light metallic threads as their high sheen picks up the light and throws the stitching into relief.

• Light cards need to have good contrasting colours - white iridescent thread disappears completely, as do the variegated pastels such as those recommended for the Arum Lily.

• Colour on colour - for instance red on red card - works reasonably well with the metallic threads.

It is useful to keep a sample of test threads on different card colours for reference.

Embroidery Skein Threads:   
These work best on the open-spaced geometrics.   In particular, Anchor™ variegated threads create subtle variations in colour over relatively short sections.   The texture is slightly fluffy but the colourings are rather attractive.

• The Wise Owl's chest (Brown/Cream)

• The Unicorn's flower necklace (1335 Pastel Rainbow)

• Variations on the Mandalas.

Metallic Threads:
Tend to be much finer than the machine threads, which makes it easier when using combined colours for special effects, as on the Strelitzia or for tassels on the Fans.
Gutermann's™ Metallic range is quite spectacular
WonderFil™ also make a good range of extra shiny metallic twists which are better than the flat lurex threads which have a tendency to stretch.  A tendency to tangle - remember to thread the end you've just cut!
Mettler™ Has a slightly more limited colour range but the thread itself is our favourite - the metallics in particular are smooth and knot free.

• Gold & Silver - Although most of the thread producers have these in their range,  Mettler™ is by far the best quality for cards. It is supple and can be used in longer lengths as it has less tendency to knot.

• Gold/silver - Mettler Metallic™ 9924 - can be used in place of plain gold for the Penny Farthing or as a single colour on a Mandala

• Copper - Mettler Metallic™ 1134

• Green - Gutermann™ Metallic 400 is an excellent colour for leaves - it is a green which tends more towards yellow than to blue.

• Magenta - Gutermann™ Metallic 5385 for the Hummingbird & Japanese Fan
  (not to be confused with their rayon thread of the same number!)

• Kingfisher Blue - Gutermann™ Metallic 483 perfect for the Seahorse

• Charcoal - Gutermann ™Metallic 9360 - Dolphins

• Dark violet - WonderFil™ 8896 - used in combination with DMC's Iridescents on Mandalas

Metallic/Rayon Combination Threads: These iridescent threads add an extra sparkle and are particularly attractive on Geometrics, Fans and wings of all sorts.  DMC™ make a good range of colours,.  100 metres on a reel.  To stop the thread ends from splitting when threading through the needle, draw the start of the thread over a piece of beeswax, this helps to hold the thread together.

• White Iridescent or Mother of Pearl  - DMC™ 4300  
  Wings for the Butterfly, Fairy or Bee or the bubbles on the Little Fishy.

• Black/green Iridescent  - Madeira™ 490 Used for the Peacock (now almost impossible to obtain)

• Black/rainbow Iridescent - Madeira™ Metallic 370/9810 (Skein, use one thread only)    A lovely thread suitable for the body of the fish or even the Dolphins.  The thread seems impossibly thin, but looks  terrific when stitched.

• Black/gold - Madeira™ metallic (reel) 251  or DMC™ 4251 Owl eyes or anywhere that uses black - it is warmer than plain black, which looks rather stark. 

• Red - DMC™ 4015  Perfect for Xmas cards

• Royal Blue - DMC™ 4038 - can be used for Up & Away

• Apple Green - DMC™ 4052 Strelitzia, Passionflower

• Pink - DMC™ 4013  Used on the Fans & Flower Mandala

• Emerald Green - DMC™ 4057 Also great for Xmas themes

Krienik™   Have an excellent range of "sparkly" threads, but are rather expensive with only 100 metres on a spool.   Perfect for the Butterfly and Fairy top wings - use a plain metallic for the lower wings

Non-metallic Threads:
WonderFil™ rayon threads are intended for machine embroidery and are rather fine but have a lovely silky finish and are easy to use. Large range, 150 metres on a spool and usually half the price of most other makes.
Gutermann™ Excellent range of colours 200 metres on a reel

THREADS TO AVOID:
Anything which fluffs excessively or splits - unfortunately the Madeira Glamour™  thread (which comes in a lovely range of colours) can't take the friction caused by pulling it through the holes, so it is not recommended for cards.
Lurex single strand - this is not a thread as such, but actually a strand of plastic without the addition of entwined thread.  It stretches when used, knots and can be difficult to control.