The thick and thin of sashiko threads!

How to choose sashiko thread to suit your project?

If you are buying online and/or are new to sashiko stitching, it is not easy to figure out which thread to order.

There is no manufacturing standardisation for sizing sashiko thread. 

The Olympus 20 meter skein sashiko thread is often used a the standard for middle thickness. It looks like this when stitched. 

Olympus sashiko ball thread is the thinnest, then Daruma on the black card, next  Daruma on the white card, then the Olympus 100 meter skeins and Hidamari. Both of those are very slightly thinner than the 20 meter skeins.

This photo shows the Olympus thin sashiko thread. It has a smooth firm finish and makes clean thin lines.

This photo shows the difference in the look of thin vrs thicker sashiko threads. This is the thin Daruma sashiko thread on the black card and the Hidamari sashiko thread.

Here is another example of the Hidamari thread.

And this is the Olympus 100 meter skein sashiko thread

And here is a general guideline for choosing one rather than another, but remember that the right thread is the one that gives you the look you want. 

•  Usually, use  thin thread with lightweight fabrics

(Daruma 20/6 and 20/4 and Olympus ball thread are thin). Thinner threads are also the winners when you are stitching a dense pattern, or patterns printed with very short stitch lengths, or where the are tight curves.

• You can use medium  thickness sashiko threads for almost everything!

Well, okay, maybe not on fine silk or really light weight fine linen fabric. (Olympus 20 meter skeins and 100 meter skeins, and the Cosmo Hidamari  are good mid weight choices)

• Save thick sashiko thread  for heavier or textured fabrics

or for where you want to create serious texture  (Kogin thread or any sashiko thread that is 20/8 or 20/10).

 www.athreadedneedle.com)

When you are stitching at this level, do look about for other kinds of string-like thread. Depending on your project even knitting wool can used to good effect. I use it when stitching background for felted wool applique pieces. 

All of these threads are good for mending, again which one you choose is up to what you think will will be best for the fabric and purpose. 

All of these threads are colour fast, good quality , machine wash and dry.

And all are available at  www.athreadedneedle.com, but you knew that already :-)

This photo below is of a well-washed kitchen hand towel stitched with Olympus 20 meter skein sashiko thread. Its an example of how this thread looses the bit of fuzziness caused by the looser twist and soft matt finish, when washed a few times the fibres connect into the cloth and disappear.

A Tip: You can reduce the amount of fuzz with this thread by stitching with shorter lengths (eg. about 20"). This will reduce the amount of friction on it as it passes through the cloth repeatedly.  Machine washing and drying a couple times usually will make it disappear.

Enjoy your stitching and kind regards

Susan

These are the threads in the photo at the top:

• The peach one is Olympus Kogin thread and is the thickest,
• The blue is Olympus sashiko 20 meter skein and is often the weight used for the standard for sashiko stitching. 
• The beige one is Olympus 100 meter skeins, these threads are slightly thinner than the 20 meter skein threads.
• The green ball is Olympus thin sashiko thread and it is the thinest of them all.
•  The two on cards are Daruma, the black card is the thin one.
• The green label skein is a more string like rougher sashiko thread, very nice for boro style stitching or if you like lots of texture in your work.
• The front one, Cosmo Hidamari, has smoothest hardest finish of the threads, strong, good for mending.