Thread in an Embroidery Machine? Really that picky?
 

Next newbie question. When I was gifted the Babylock Ellegante, I also got two BIG boxes of embroidery thread. Some of its Metro, some is I think an ‘off brand’, some is ISO something or other. About half is brand new. The Babylock dealer warns me to use only recommended thread like Brother, Mettler or Floriani... and particularly warned me about using ‘Ebay’ thread. Yet I have all this other thread that came with the machine...

What do I do? I seriously can’t afford to replace all that thread. Plus the original owner used it in the machine? Are Embroidery machines really that picky? What are the usual ‘symptoms’ you get when a machine doesn’t ‘like’ the thread? Maybe my dealer just wants me to buy expensive thread from them? I hope and assume that there’s a way to tell when it’s a thread issue and not a hooping or stabilizer issue?

For the record... I use Guitermann thread for sewing projects, coats and Clark machine cotton for piecing. I see online that there are many ‘Brother’ Embroidery threads for sale... but if read carefully, they are off brand. Somebody must be able to use them, since lots are sold... ? What thread do you find that works well with your embroidery machines?

Any advice will be appreciated.

Kim, Hold the fort! Umm thread!

I have used XP Poly which is also called Exquisite now. Floriani thread is probably the one I use most as it matches the design sheets. There is also another drawer of Brother threads that I use for some designs. These are all good threads as are most others easily available.

The Exquisite and Floriani threads have color charts available that have the actual threads on them. I put a small sticky dot beside each one. Take the chart to store (or on-line) when buying more colors. This method has only resulted in one spool being duplicated in the color drawers. My local dealer sells all of these brands with equal success. Yes there is a difference in thread but try a few spools to see if you and your machine like it.

To check the thread to see if it is still good take about a 12 inch piece, wrap in your hands and pull. Does it break easily.

The other issue with thread breakage can be using a wrong needle or using the needle too long. Needles should be replaced about every 8 hours. I had awful issues with thread breakage one day in class. The owner changed out the needle to 80/12 microtex and no more issues.

Do you use pre-wound bobbins? I use pre-wound bobbins also with no issues. They are cheaper on-line than the LQS. There is more thread wound on the bobbin so less bobbin changes.

Sometimes sticky stabilizers will cause issues.

Are you doing OK with hooping techniques?

Welcome to the world of machine EMB!

Another tip:

Check the height of the EMB foot on your machine. It should set at the default in the settings. Do you have the machine manuals!

If the owner before used the thread I would go ahead and use it.

I have a Brother Sewing/embroidery machine that is comparable to your Elegante. Your dealer is full of xxxx. I use what they call the Off brand thread. I love, love, love the thread sets from Ebay. It gives you wonderful color choices at a very reasonable price. For colors I use a lot of, I order the large cones of polyester thread from Thread Art when they are on sale which they are right now. https://www.threadart.com/category/4...rs-5000-meters I will tell you that you have to have a thread stand for the cones, but at the price, you can buy a thread stand for less than 15 dollars. Make sure that it is heavy on the bottom. The light weight ones just go everywhere. https://www.createforless.com/Dritz-...901&cadevice=c Also, you may need some of the Thread nets because the thread will pool off. https://www.amazon.com/Embroidery-Ma.../dp/B001U5A0Y0

I have Neverhad any of the "off brand thread" shred, fade or look bad. I have many friends with Babylock and Brother machines and they use anything they want to. The machines really don't care.

My dealer told me to use what I wanted, and the machine would let me know if it didn't like it. So far I've used quite a bit of "no name" from Amazon and it's working well. BTW - my dealer is a floriani dealer

I use metro embroidery thread almost exclusively, and there's no problem with it at all. Any dealer that tells you a machine will only work properly with their brand of thread is a "dealer"...pushing their thread...
As for the "off brands" you mentioned...some of the cheap threads will fade in the sun, or even change color when washed, so I would test them before using them. I've had embroidery machines since the 80's , they usually aren't picky...when you have a problem it's usually operator error..not threading correctly, wrong stabilizer for weight of fabric..a million other things..but thread...not a problem.

I have 2 Brother machines, 1 embroidery and sewing combo and 1 embroidery only. I use different brands of thread. Most problems are not caused by the thread.

Been there. What I finally did was order a couple spools of thread from different companies to try out. Generally, no issues with any of those brands: ThreadArt, Madeira, Floriani and Brother's. If issues occur, a needle change or re-wind of thread usually takes care of the problem (and I don't stitch at the top speed either). As for the most of the less expensive thread unfortunately I found out they would break often, but you could manage to use it by slowing down your machine.