It’s already pretty well established, I think, from my blog that I am a dedicated hand piecer. Thread for hand piecing is, I know, a personal preference but I think I’ve found the very best thread with which to work. A friend, who’s also a pretty dedicated hand piecer, has tried this thread and has the same opinion.
Over the past few weeks, when I was joining the half clamshell pickles to the Pickled Ladies top, I was using a variety of white threads and was frustrated beyond belief. Some broke too easily, some tangled so easily no matter how short a length of thread I used that they were a nightmare to work with and others were too – well, hairy is the only word I can think of – so I’ll just say they were too hairy and made threading a #12 sharp more of a problem than any others.
Then I got some white DMC machine embroidery cotton thread – and oh, it was heavenly. It doesn’t tangle, has a wonderful smooth finish which makes it easy to thread needles and it doesn’t break easily at all.
I already knew that the black DMC machine embroidery cotton thread was the only black thread to use as it’s the only one I’ve ever found that doesn’t break after just a very few stitches.
Now? Well, now I’m going to slowly build up a collection of DMC threads in the shades I know I’ll use a lot for hand piecing. It’s pretty clear, looking at this grouping, that various shades of pink and rose are those which I know I’ll use most often. I know I’m probably in the minority, but I really do love using a thread colour that matches the darkest of the fabrics I’m piecing. DMC thread is incredible – it just melts into the seams, so is perfect for the miniatures which I so love to make, isn’t very bulky at all and makes it even more enjoyable to hand piece. Of all the tools at my disposal as a hand piecer, I have two that top the list – Inklingo for printing templates on the back of my fabrics, and DMC thread to use when sewing the pieces together.
“Thread”
Jake doesn’t pay the least bit of attention to me when I take close-up photos of him.
Taking pictures of Baxter is too much fun – I can’t seem to stop. So I get funny pictures of him, like this one of him cleaning his paw.
Quilt Obsession 
Cathi, I love that you’re blogging more frequently, so delightful to see the beautiful pieceing, fabrics, quilts, toons and the precious kitties. The thread tip is wonderful, where do you purchase your supply?
Cyndie in Ireland 🇮🇪
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Thanks, Cyndie. I’m glad to be blogging more frequently – but it sure took me long enough! I have found two places from which to buy the DMC machine embroidery thread – Uncommon Thread and Create for for Less . The DMC machine embroidery thread is made in France – so I wonder if you can find it somewhere there easily or if you can order it from France?
Cathi
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Hairy describes it well!!
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I’m glad to hear that as I struggled to find the right word to describe that thread!
Cathi
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Oh Cathi, I agree Baxter is a ham! Looks like he’s enjoying an ice-cream cone HAHAHAHA.
I’ve had good luck with Gutermann threads. Haven’t tried DMC.
anything better is worth a try.
was mowing the 4 acres yesterday and my mower decided to break!
It can’t rain till my mower is fixed!!
Keep on keeping on.
what else would we do.
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Interesting – I’ve not tried Gutermann thread in ages. I seem to remember thinking it felt rather rough in comparison to some others, but I doubt that anything could come close to how wonderful the DMC machine embroidery thread is for hand piecing!
Cathi
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Thanks so much for letting us know about the DMC thread…I, too, am a dedicated hand piecer, encountering the same issues you mentioned. I will definitely give this a try!
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I don’t think you’ll be disappointed. I can’t get over how wonderful it is – and the vast array of colours it’s available in is fabulous!
Cathi
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The “hairy” on your thread means it wasn’t “mercerized” well. Read Mama Superior at Superior Thread and she will tell you all about it.
I recently met Aurafil and have found I’m enjoying using it. It does occasionally snarl, but that is because I should have used a shorter length.
I think Baxter is giving you a message. Mr. QO seems to get himself in as much trouble as the kitties in your thread box.
And I printed and cut last night. Just an acre more to chop up.
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I’ve read the information on the Superior Threads website before – it’s very informative.
Cathi
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I just spent time on the Superior Threads website mentioned above. What an education! They call what you describe as hairy fuzz. So many interesting facts under their education section. Now I know why Egyptian cotton is so special. I always enjoy your blog Cathi.
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Good cotton thread is, I know, a matter of individual preferences – but now that I and a few friends have tried the DMC machine embroidery thread and all come to the same conclusion, I think it’s fair to say it seems to be the very best available. And oh, the colours it comes in! They’re endless!!
Cathi
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I have used the DMC machine embroidery thread when stitching the fancy stitches on a sewing machine. It really is a nice thread, sturdy and silky.
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It’s sturdy, yet not bulky – a rather wonderful combination. And it’s so wonderful for hand piecing!
Cathi
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Hi Cathi. I use DMC machine embroidery thread for handb appliqué as well as piecing. I’ve cumulated quite a few. I like to piece with Aurifil Mako 50 as well. Lots of differences between treads and some just don’t hold up. Thank you for your review on threads. I agree. DMC is a nice strong thin thread that easily goes through my milliners # 11 or my appliqué-# 12. I use both for piecing.
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Interesting. My second choice, if I didn’t have DMC machine embroidery thread, would be the 70/2 YLI Heirloom thread. I’ve not tried piecing with a #11 milliners for ages – I seem to remember them as feeling very, very long, but I think I’ll try that again.
Cathi
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It’s interesting that a machine embroidery thread was your favorite, when most stitchers wouldn’t consider it for hand piecing. I guess it doesn’t hurt to experiment, at worst a little thread is lost.
Which were the threads you didn’t like? I have often encountered a “hairy” thread, and they’re a mess to work with!
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Ages ago I had a spool of the DMC thread that was the exact colour I wanted so I decided to try it – and oh, how I was thrilled I had. Since then, I have tried to use it and now am going to build up the number of colours of it I have on hand.
Cathi
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This is good information and I say thanks for sharing!
I love the gorgeous colours of threads now available but get quite frustrated with some pefformance. Now I know…makes shopping easier.
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Thread can be such a matter of personal preference but, now that I know others who feel the same way I do about the DMC machine embroidery thread, I think it’s safe to say that it is one of, if not the, very best. And the array of colours it comes in is incredible!
Cathi
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Interesting…….I haven’t tried that one! I like Aurifil 50 for hand piecing, been using it for a long time and are very happy with it. Nice to see the kitties again, I have missed them!
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Be warned – I think once you try the DMC machine embroidery thread, you’ll never want to use anything else ever again! It’s that fabulous!!
Cathi
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Hey Cathi, I’m in the buying what is on sale phase of my life, but I might need to invest in the DMC thread. Do you know how it plays with embroidery machines?
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I don’t have an embroidery machine, so can’t tell you about that but it’s actually labelled DMC Machine Embroidery Thread – I imagine it would do quite well. It’s a very strong thread, but not thick – it is, as far as I’m concerned, the perfect thread! And it’s not very expensive. It has a lovely sheen to it as well. It glides through fabric and makes it very, very easy to thread needles.
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