Ricoma Quick Start Guide
62
TIP:
Polyester is stiffer than rayon, and may require some tension or check spring adjustments.
Experiment with different tension settings using the spring lever to make tension suitable for this
type of thread.
Years ago, polyester embroidery thread was very hard to handle because this fiber is very stretchy
by nature. This resulted in looping, which caused operators to tighten down on tensions. This
compounded the problem because this stretched the polyester fiber even more. When the thread’s
memory caused it to regain its original length, the embroidery was often puckered. Today’s polyesters
are greatly improved and many have excellent sew-ability. The color ranges have also improved,
making it a good choice for embroiderers. It may be too strong for certain lightweight, delicate
goods, but its resistance to thread breaks can add to production efficiency. We recommend 100%
polyester thread for all embroidery projects.
Polyester is one of the two embroidery fibers that can accept neon dyestuffs. The neon colors that
you are using in your shop are very likely to be polyester fiber. With excellent resistance to abrasion
and bleaching, polyester thread is a great choice for items that will be subjected to sunlight, chlorine
or harsh laundering.
Avoided by many embroiderers, metallic threads are sometimes
difficult to handle. The good news: This beautiful thread type
can be tamed.
This thread is stiffer than other varieties, and it has an interesting
construction. Metallic threads are actually a metallic film
glued to a nylon or polyester core. The quality varies widely
among manufacturers, so we recommend talking to other
embroiderers to find a brand that performs well.
If you have experienced difficulty in sewing with metallic
threads, try:
• Using a smaller size thread
• Using a needle with a larger eye
• Checking your digitizing
• Making sure the densities are appropriate for metallic threads
• Checking if there are too many short stitch lengths, or small turning stitches
POLYESTER THREAD
METALLIC THREAD
Figure 128
TIP:
Buy the best metallic brand on the largest spool you can afford. The larger diameter of the spool
produces fewer kinks as it unwinds.
