Thread for Redwork
 

I'm planning a series of quilt blocks using Redwork designs that I've purchased in various places. The blocks will be embroidered first, then cut to size and assembled into a top. I usually embroider with Poly or Rayon but I don't want these blocks to be done with a shiny finish. I've seen references to cotton embroidery thread but have no idea as to what is good quality or where to purchase it. I know DMC produces a 50 wt. cotton thread that comes on a spool. Can anyone give me some guidance on this?

I have used the 50wt red DMC thread on the spool and it worked fine. Before you stitch with any red thread, I would test for color fastness. One of the standard embroidery threads that I tried bled like crazy on a smaller piece. I actually put a piece of the string in a bowl of water in the microwave and boiled it to see if the water went pink. I had good results with the DMC spool.

Floriani had recently come out with a matte finish poly thread. It gives the look of cotton with the downside of cotton. I saw some examples done with it and really liked the look. Gives it a more "old fashioned" look.