Palestinian Embroidery: Embroidery Threads

In this post we will talk about embroidery threads we use in Palestinian embroidery. I will talk about types, things to consider when buying embroidery threads, and lastly the threads I personally use.

In the past Palestinian women used silk or cotton embroidery threads in the form of floss and were mostly imported from Syria and Lebanon. But because the prices of the imported embroidery threads got higher, another embroidery threads brand appeared, those were cotton balls number 8 from Dolfus Mieg et Cie company (DMC) and were imported from France. Currently DMC embroidery threads (Pearl cotton balls size 8 and floss threads size 25) are very popular in Palestine, but outside Palestine only DMC floss embroidery threads size 25 are more popular.

Types of embroidery threads used in Palestinian embroidery

• Pearl Cotton Balls size 8. You use the thread as it is to cross stitch.

• Six-strand embroidery floss size 25. Those comes in 6 strands, you can use 2 or 3 strands to cross stitch depends on the fabric’s count.

Embroidery Threads Colors

• Both embroidery threads balls size 8 and floss size 25 are available in different colors. Also a single pearl cotton ball or embroidery floss can have a mix of colors.

• Every color has a code and those coding systems are different from one brand to another.

Things to consider when buying embroidery threads

• Quality of the threads.

• Colors are important, you want to make sure that you pick threads where the colors won’t fade easily over time.

• Colors won’t bleed on the fabric when you wash it ( you have to follow the washing instruction of course).

• Suitable for the fabric you are using, which means it won’t show space between stitches on the fabric unless that space is not occupied by stitches.

Embroidery threads Brands

• DMC, those are the threads that are mostly used in Palestinian embroidery, they are known for being a good quality and available in many colors.

• Brands like Anchors and Cosmo are also known to be a good quality.

• Silk embroidery threads like Au Ver à Soie.

• Metallic threads from Kreinik.

Alright, this is a quick post!! of course in different countries you will find different names and brands. If you use different embroidery threads and you think it’s good, please leave a comment down below, tell us the name and why you like it.

I’ll see in the next post, love you and happy stitching.