thread for decorative stiching
 

I heard recently that if you want your decorative stitching to look nice you should use a thicker thread. I tend to sew mostly with either cottons which are 40 or 50 wt or embroidery thread (for embroidery machine) which are very fine (no idea how fine as can't see thread wt on them)

What thread weight do you use to make your decorative stiches look pretty ? I have a bernina 570, what is the thickest thread I could use on my machine?

And where can you buy thicker thread ? I tend to order from craftsy as they are the ones that have a big selection and ship to France for a reasonable postage and no customs or duties at my end. I will also be visiting the UK in June so could get some there when I visit.

regards,
Joanne in France

I use machine embroidery thread & sometimes thread the needle with two spools of the same colour and the design will really stand out. Often I will fill a bobbin with the same colour and use that for the second spool, saves having to buy two of each. Of course it depends on the stitch, as it doesn't work with all decorative stitches. Haven't yet tried with three threads.

Sometimes I use perle cottons-#12 but you use anything that will fit in your needle. I have found that the thicker threads do not always like deco stitches that go over the same spot several times.

Heavier threads work in the bobbin so you can always stitch on the wrong side.

I use Superior Sew Sassy size 12 thread with needle size 100/16 topstitch and #2 tension setting. I use 60 wt in bobbin. This looks great when doing machine applique with the blanket stitch. Size 12 is equivalent of two strands of floss and it is on a spool. Also is better then floss when doing hand embroidery or crossstitch on quilts. Stronger and no bleeding.

thanks Gay, never realized you could put two strands of thread in a needle, something I must try one day.

thanks for the tip on sassy threads one by one, even on their website they don't give the weight for it. Though I can't order any as superior threads are not available here in France :-(

I have almost no experience in this, but needed a thicker thread to put a blanket stitch edging on some fans. I found what is sold as "jeans" weight. The label has fallen off, sorry, but it was from a quilt shop. It appears to be about a 30 weight. It worked out well. I used a 40 weight in the bobbin.
Edited to say it was "YLI Jeans stitch thread size 30".

This was made by a friend of mine. She used yarn. That's right - knitting yarn. I never did ask her what sized needle she used, but it sure came out pretty.

thanks for all your tips, I have seen jeans weight around and that might be a good idea.