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Hello everyone! I am looking for some thread advice. I have started my first project and although the stitching went great my thread was a different story. Eventually I gave up because it kept breaking. Do they make different size threads? I can't seem to find much online to help me. The thread I used was DMC 25 NUMBER 310. I'm not even sure those are enough numbers to tell what I'm using. Any help would be greatly appreciated as this is a gift for a baby due in less than a month. Hooray for procrastination!

Quick answer is yes they do make different size thread but they are meant for different types of stitching projects.

So a few questions

Are you doing a cross stitch project or are you doing Hardanger, or embroidery or some other type of thread craft?

Are you using a singe strand of the floss or are you using 2,3 ?

What type of fabric are you using?

How hard are you pulling the thread?

What size of needle are you using 24,26,28?

All of the above questions will determine where the problem falls.

I have used DMC embroidery floss for years and in the 30+ years I have had 2 packages that the thread was just terrible and broke like crazy, It also frayed quite badly so in the end I just binned it. One was a dark blue and one was a Ecru. Usually it is something that we are doing that causes the trouble but there will be the occasional bad thread. Some say that the Anchor black it better and you can switch out if you want but Anchor and DMC are 2 different companies and they each have their own dye process so that means you will not get an exact match so if you do decide to change you will need to restitch any of that color that is already finished.

I'm using the 5 stands. I noticed they came apart easily but didn't know if it was best to separate then or leave it bunched together. Needle size is 24. I'm using the plastic canvas to cross stitch. I plan on starting it over because it broke so much. Do you think it's best to go with less stands or a different brand?

Well the number of strands that you us will depend on the size of the plastic canvas. Plastic canvas can be very rough on thread and again depending on the size of the canvas yarn is used rather then embroidery thread.

Was this a kit that came with the thread, canvas and all of that as one or did you buy the thread and canvas and needles separate?

Hmm.. the 5 strands bit makes me wonder. DMC embroidery floss comes in 6 strands.. are you sure you're not using 6? If it comes in 5 strands like it sounds like you're saying then you're possibly using something different...

Plastic canvas can be a pain! It's very rough on thread, I've struggled with the few I've made.

If you're stitching with five strands of DMC it's a good idea to pull all the strands apart and then put them back together again. Sounds silly, I know, but this helps them lay straight and should make stitching easier.

If you're stitching from a kit and it recommends five strands, I'd stay with five strands. Try cutting your threads shorter, so there's less wear on it as you stitch.

Which pattern are you stitching?

Running it through a block of beeswax will help protect the threads...

I too think it has more to do with the plastic canvas than the thread itself. I've used DMC for years and not had any issue with it breaking. Not sure how far along you are- or what you are making. Could the plastic be switched out for vinyl canvas or regular stitch fabric?

Oh and.. welcome to the forum.