These are the products I recommend in my workshops.
Wonderfil’s Decobob is an 80wt polyester. It is ‘cottonised’ so you can treat it like cotton. Delicate but incredibly strong, this lightweight thread ensures stitching becomes less bulky and designs softer while the fine weight also allows for more acute miters and rounder and smoother curves.
DecoBob™ is also an ideal bobbin thread and is available in Class 15, L and M size pre-wound bobbins in reusable plastic casings.
I use the pre-wound bobbins in the bobbin and a spool of it on top with a WonderGuard strip to keep the thread from pooling.
WonderGuard strips from Wonderfil
Tired of your spools tangling and unraveling and making a mess? Wrapping Wonder Guard™ snugly around your spools tidies loose threads and stops it from unwinding and tangling. It also keeps your thread clean and prevents it from drying out. This multi-purpose thread guard can also be attached loosely around spools of thread while in use on a machine for a consistent draw, helping to maintain beautifully even stitches with no fuss.
Using the correct needle for the thread and project can make all the difference. These titanium topstitch needles are brilliant for use with rayons and metallics but I use them for all my stitching.
Whilst in use a machine thread runs through the eye of the needle very fast, creating a groove which is unique to that thread. As each type of thread has its own unique weight and twist, when you change to a different type of thread the groove in the eye of the needle does not match the thread and trouble ensues.
The titanium coating is tough so that it resists the thread as it runs through the needle and no groove is created in the eye. This means that you can put the needle into your machine for over 40 hours and just leave it there running any thread through it.
If you struggle to thread your needle, take a look at this hummingbird needle threader, available from Barnyarns.
You lift up the cover to reveal the threader, insert the threader into the eye of your needle and then loop the thread over the end of the threader where there is a little notch. Pull back the threader whilst holding your needle and you’re done.
Lis Binns 