Choosing your yarn is like choosing the right tool before you start: it makes all the difference and avoids many surprises along the way! To help you make the right choice without getting lost in the details, here are four simple questions to help you choose your yarn before starting your project.
The first question is usage.
Are you going to sew, embroider, mend, do patchwork, make an appliqué or work with elastic? Each type of thread has its role!
- Sewing thread is designed for everyday assembly and finishing.
- The embroidery thread highlights the stitch and the pattern.
- The darning thread must either last over time and be discreet, or on the contrary, make for a visible repair.
- Patchwork yarn prioritizes regularity and precision.
- Appliqué threads accompany often neat, sometimes decorative, stitching.
- Elastic bands require good support and consistency with the desired tension.
The second question is your fabric.
Thin and light, or rather thick and dense? A delicate fabric doesn't necessarily appreciate a yarn that's too thick, which can leave marks or pull on the material. Conversely, on canvas, denim, or wool, a more robust yarn provides the necessary strength.
The idea is simple: match the thread and the material, so that the stitching remains neat and comfortable to use.
The third question concerns the rendering.
Do you want the thread to be invisible, or to contribute to the style? Tone-on-tone for a discreet finish, contrast for embroidery, sashiko , appliqué or a bold alteration: the thread can become a detail that changes everything!
This is often where the project takes on character, with a well-chosen color and a regular stitch.
The fourth question, finally, is real life.
Will your garment be worn, washed, handled, or subjected to stress (elbows, knees, waistbands, openings, elasticated seams)? The more demanding the use, the more important it is to choose a reliable, consistent thread that is suitable for the chosen stitch.
It's the little details that make the difference between "it's pretty" and "it really lasts".
With these four questions in mind, you already have the essentials. All that remains is to choose the color, thread the needle, and enjoy yourself: the right thread is the one that follows you from the first stitch to the last, without complicating your life!
