Here at R&C, we like to use metallic and high-gloss embroidery floss to lend a bit of shine and pop to many of our patterns. However, DMC’s more exotic options come with some unique challenges. Here are a few recommendations for getting the best results out of your E and S-Series flosses:
DMC E-Series: wiry with a metallic shimmer
E-Series
DMC’s Light Effects (or E-Series) includes 35 different options from standard silver (E415) and gold (E3821) to variegated rainbow sheens (E130 and E135). While vibrant and an excellent choice for bright accents, E-Series’ polyester floss tends to be really thick and wiry compared to DMC’s standard options, with significantly less flexibility. As an added challenge, the E-Series’ toothy texture will often snag and pull when drawn against other flosses or through fabric. Here are our tips for stitching with E-Series floss:
Leave a longer-than-normal beginning tail to aid handling and flexing of the floss
Avoid using next to the more fibrous flosses (such as any S-Series options) to prevent excessive pulling and snagging issues
Place your E-Series stitches before any adjacent stitches using standard flosses to reduce sawing/friction
Avoid using E-Series floss on Aida fabric smaller than 14 count
Where possible, use E-Series floss only as an accent and in areas where it’s not directly adjacent to other stitches
DMC S-Series: soft, shiny, and squirrely
S-Series
DMC’s Satin (or S-Series) is comprised of 60 high-gloss rayon flosses in a wide variety of colors and are a terrific option that blends well with standard flosses. The S-Series flosses tend to be softer and less rigid than E-Series options, but still present their own unique challenges. In particular, S-Series floss is fibrous and tends to separate and shed. For best results:
Leave long beginning and end tails to help combat thread separation
Check your floss between stitches to ensure individual strands remain corded in order to keep an even texture and appearance
Use only short lengths of S-Series floss and avoid making more than a handful of stitches with a single length to eliminate excessive shedding
Do not use S and E-Series floss together. The toothy E-Series floss will cause extensive snagging and shedding in S-Series options
Use your fingers or a set of tweezers and a bright light to carefully identify and remove any loose fibers from a completed piece.
Here’s a side-by-side comparison of S-Series, E-Series, and standard cotton floss so you can see the difference in texture.
Top: S-Series
DMC S762
Middle: E-Series
DMC E415
Bottom: Standard
DMC S762
All three types are comprised of six strands, but unlike regular cotton floss, the two metallics tend to separate really easily. Handle them carefully to prevent excess separation and shedding.
Alternating Thread Colors
If your pattern calls for a metallic thread color you don’t have, don’t worry: you can substitute the corresponding DMC standard floss for its metallic counterpart (i.e. 762 can stand in for S762).
Questions or suggestions for using DMC’s E and S-Series flosses? Contact us at rcneedlework@gmail.com or hit us up at @rcneedlework!