How to Use Perle Cotton Thread vs Embroidery Floss | Pearl Cotton Thread Tips & Tricks
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 5 ก.พ. 2025
- Perle Cotton Thread or Pearl Cotton Thread is used in embroidery, tatting, crochet, punch needle, quilting, as well as other arts.
Like the common known Embroidery Floss, Perle Cotton is sold by color, or even variegated. Both are used in hand sewing, and are very similar.
But, there are some differences as well that should be noted.
Overall, they can be used interchangeably, but there are some intended uses for Perle Cotton.
Perle Cotton is a mercerized thread that has been put through a chemical process to be strong and durable. Therefore, it is good for functional artwork, or pieces that will be laundered or handled.
Perle Cotton is sold by the size or thickness of the thread. It comes in 4 readily available sizes 3, 5, 8, 12 - with 3 being the thickest and 12 the most delicate.
Perle Cotton thread in sizes 3 & 5 is sold in skeins and sizes 8 & 12 come in balls.
Whereas Embroidery Floss is made up of 6 strands that are made to be separated, if desired, Perle Cotton is not made to be separated, hence the various sizes.
In the video, I created a chart to show the number of embroidery floss strands that compare to the sizes of Perle thread.
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I like seeing your sample. It really shows the differences.
Thanks so much!
What a great explanation of floss and Perle cotton thread! I never knew the difference!! And I’ve been doing needle work for years. Thank you for your excellent talk!!
Glad it was helpful! 😊
I was taught at least 30 years ago by an Italian lace maker and needlepoint instructor when using perle cotton in the skein to pull the labels off. Unwind to a circle and cut across all layers at the knot section. Put labels back on the single layer and bring the two ends together. Divide the thread in 1/3's and do a loose braid. It keeps the thread nice and you can grab a piece from the top and pull and it comes out of the braid nicely. Yes, I do stitch with lengths from the single cut as was taught.
Another great method. Thanks for sharing.
I understood nothing about your explanation.
I was taught this too. It works really well.
Thanks for the education on keeping perle cotton threads organized and especially how to find the ends! TFS ❤️
Glad it was helpful!
Thank you for the information about perle cotton thread. I thought it was small balls if crochet thread for making dollies 🤦 I didn't realize it was for embroidery 😂 I will start using it for my embroidery projects now along with my embroidery thread 🥰 Thanks for the great video 😘
Thanks. I think it would make ultra delicate doilies if they were crocheted. Just lovely!
My mom used them to crochet edging for handkerchiefs we gave as gifts to our elementary school teachers.
I'm a beginner with hand embroidery and I accidentally bought some Pearl Cotton Thread today...thinking it was Embroidery Floss. But it turns out, it's actually better for the particular design I'm creating. Thank you for your helpful and informative explanation on the two threads. Beginner me appreciates it! 😀
You're welcome, it's great to have another thread fan in the world!
Thanks for these tips Daniella, I’m happy to see you again😊 You are looking well, I hope the treatment is not making you feel too uncomfortable. I think your short hair is quite flattering. Take care. 🇦🇺🌻🦋
Thank you so much!
Tnks Daniella . You surely back to your perky self..Great going girl !.Look fwd to seeing your beautiful smile in your prompt for June .Gods is on you .
Thank you so much ❤️
HellOOOO!! I was just thinking about you!!! So glad God is keeping you on the road to recovery ❤
Thank you so much!!
Thank you for the various tricks!
Glad they were helpful!
Super great sharing ❤❤
Thank you! 🤗
@@DanielaMellen welcome 💐
I love pearl cotton. Thanks so much for all the tips and showing all the threads at the end. have a good day.
Thanks for watching!
Thanks for the sampler showing the different sizes, that is very helpful 🥰
Thank you!
Thank you! Your video was very helpful to me as I have never used perle cotton.
Glad it was helpful!
Oh wow never knew about how to cut the skein so deftly 🎉 Thankyou xxx
Glad it was helpful.
Can you use the same method on embroidery floss?
No. The thread on embroidery skeins is wrapped, not twisted, so you can just pull it from the skein.
This was perfect. Finally a comprehensive tutorial on threads that I have only guessed at all my life. Thank you. I would love to own that little sampler. It was extremely helpful.
Thanks so much!
Thank you Daniela for the very thorough coverage of Perle cotton v embroidery floss. I like using perle cotton too when I want my stitches to stand out more.💕
You are so welcome!
I just ordered & received 35 balls size 5 yesterday & can't wait to use them in my slow stitching & sewing projects. Used a little bit this afternoon while sitting outside enjoying the beautiful weather
Sounds so fun!
Great hints! I use both and enjoy mixing them on my pieces. Looking good, brave woman!!
Thank you 😊
When I was learning to embroider in the late 40's I was given perle cotton in skeins so that my little hands wouldn't have to deal with six strands. Over the years it was discontinued in skeins. I believe it was sold in skeins at JoAnn Fabrics in the 90's. Your kind information is surely useful to those much younger than me!
Sorry - I hadn't watched your whole video because of my poor hearing - but then I remembered Closed Captioning!!!
Thanks so much for your comment.
Thank you! I’m learning off You Tube and floss is awful, I probably don’t know how to handle it but am going to try perle now. It looks far more serene. ✨
Glad it was helpful.
Hi Daniela, Thank you ! Thanks for explaining and showing how to cut the skeins . When I first started stitching, I would find these all ready cut skeins at the thrift shop. Now I know how useful this is ! Pearl cotton is so pretty :)
Glad it was helpful!
I learned some things I didn’t know about Perle cotton that is very helpful. Thank you so much for this video!
Glad it was helpful!
Good to hear from you again. You are rocking your hair style. When I had chemo I wore hats a lot. You’re looking great. ❤
Thanks so much! I wear my share of hats, too!
Just found your video and I signed up right away. Precise,direct,easy to understand, excellent! Thank you. PS, I live in Guatemala and all I seem to find is perle cotton in ball form ,with occasional cotton floss colors. Best part is ea ball costs about 40 to 45 CENTS ea, variegated being a bit more.Every color in the rainbow and in my pueblo alone, 6 stores. Maggie
Welcome! That's great news about the perle being easy to find and cost effective! ❤️ Thanks for subscribing.
Hello Daniela, you are so pretty with long hair or short or none you needn't have worried about that effect of treatment. So good to see you and hope you are feeling as good as you look! Thank you for this very helpful video... I've been embroidering for most of my 63 years but hadn't a notion of what perle was or what to do with it! Your methods of handling threads will save my patience and keep my outbursts a little more ladylike too. Love and prayers, Vera in Northern Ireland ❤
Oh, Vera, you are so supportive and kind. Thank you for taking the time to comment. ❤️ And from my experience, keeping outbursts ladylike is a challenge unto itself! 😊
This was so interesting! I’ve inherited some craft items, and there are skeins of Perle cotton amongst them. I wasn’t really sure what it’s used for. Now I know! Cutting the skeins while still wrapped is genius
Thanks for sharing. New subscriber here❤️🇬🇧
Thank you this was very informative! I also love the tips and hints on finding the thread ends and keeping the skeins from getting knotted. I have spent many hours untangling various skeins of thread and yarn 🧶 nice to know how to avoid that.
Glad it was helpful. 😊
So happy to have you back. Thanks for all you do. Missed you hope you are feeling good❤
Thank you! 😊
Thank you Daniela, this is extremely helpful to understand all the different threads! You are such a kind and charming lady ❤
Thank you so much!
#12 perle cotton is wonderful in your serger loopers for a decorative edge on projects either 3 or 4 thread settings. Yes you will need to adjust your looper tensions for each type of stitch, not hard! Be sure to make a sample and write your settings on the sample To facilitate the feeding of the perle cotton balls, set individual balls into pint or quart jars behind the serger.
You can also use it for the flat lock stitch, and it's interesting to use in your coverstitch when you want the reverse ... The ladder of the coverstitch on the front of your project.
It's also interesting when used in the bobbin of your sewing machine. You reverse sew. Draw or trace a line drawing on the wrong side of your fabric. Load bobbin with perle cotton on your bobbin, follow the "design" on the wrong side if the fabric. Yes you will need to tinker with your bobbin case tension. I purchased a separate bobbin case.
All great info on using perle in the serger. Thank you for sharing.
I always wondered what the little balls of thread was for; And I never asked anyone lol. My husband got me a large package of various colors to learn Japanese embroidery and they are beautiful but I wasn’t quite sure what todo with them. Now I do. I actually love to embroider or do crewel work. Thank you for all the tips, sharing the uses and examples of the threads. Subscribing and sharing !❤
Welcome and thank you. What a great gift from your husband to support your creativity!
A very informative video and beautifully presented. I have collected bits and pieces for years, Perle cotton amongst them. I have only used it to knit a lacy doll's dress. Now I know what to do with it embroidery wise (once I've found it). Thank you.
Thanks for the kind words. How lovely to knit a doll's dress!
Your videos are always teaching me things I didn't know. Very helpful. And so glad to see you looking so well. God bless.❤
Thank you so much!
You look amazing! Prayers for full recovery. 🙏🏻 Bless you for still doing resourceful video's while on your journey to recovery. ❤️
Thank you so much! I love to create and teach, and find it therapeutic. ❤️
I NEVER would have known how to get the floss off that way 😮 I get lucky sometimes is all I can say but I'll use your technique now!
Glad it was helpful.
Thanks Daniela - I learnt new stuff, very helpful. So good to see you looking gorgeous!
Thank you so much!
Love the floss v perle sampler. You’re so cute!
Thanks so much 😊
Very interesting! I may have to switch over in some of my projects. I love the idea of cutting to the 19" to keep it neat and together. Your videos are always informative. I love learning new things from you!!! Thank you for posting :)
Glad it was helpful!
Thank you Daniela. This is such a help - I never knew how to unwind these skeins and haven't found a source for perle cotton.
Thank you!
Very helpful to me. I just bought some perle cotton but didn't realize it had different sizes. Great tips for handling skeins too! Thanks. You look great!
I loved your little fabric sample and who knew you could cut skeins like that! Here's something interesting that I have discovered about variegated thread. Wonderfil brand pearle cotton changes color about every 4 inches. Floss and other brands of pearle may change color only every 8 to 12 inches. I haven't tried them all but that might be a good topic for you to research and video. I choose variegated thread based on the effect I want to achieve.
That's very helpful information. The length of the variegation affects how it looks in projects. I tend to use variegated thread for larger quantity of stitches to get it's full effect, so hearing about the brands that have more variegation per yard is truly helpful. I'll look into that for a video idea. Thank you!
I never thought about using perle cotton, my mom used to make lace with perle cotton. Great info thank you🙏🏽
Glad it was helpful! I think the lace made from perle must be so delicate! What a treat to have some of her pieces.
@@DanielaMellen I have many pieces lol including a bedspread, Love my Momma 🥰
That is so sweet! What a treasure.
Good info! Thank you for the comparison. Hope you are feeling well.
Thank you! I'm feeling well.
This was so helpful. Thank you x
Thanks, Glad it was helpful.
Glad to see you! You look great! 🎉
Thanks so much!
Thank you for explaining. I have always wondered about the difference. The sampler was a great idea.
Glad it was helpful!
Great video. I have a lot of floss because that's what our store carried up untill a few years ago. It is nice to have a variety to choose from now
Oh wow! It's great to have a full stash!
Thanks Daniella. This is very informative. I learned a lot❣️🧵🪡
There's a lady with a small yarn shop at home at literally 2 minutes by foot from where I live. She has all the colours of the rainbow in different shades of Pearl cotton thread. It's the biggest collection I've seen so far.
Sounds delightful! I could get lost in that shop for hours!
Very helpful and clear; also nicely organized Thank-you!
Glad it was helpful!
This was a wonderful and educational video !!! I learned so much that I didn’t know !!! Thank you for sharing your knowledge with us !!!
Glad it was helpful! Thank you!
I would have never thought to use perle Cotten thread for punch needle work. I inherited my mom’s stash and thought I would use it when I learned how to do embroidery. This just opened up a new rabbit hole for me 🤣
Thank you for sharing your knowledge! Is there a "chart" that explains what size of embroidery needle to use with the different sizes of pearl cotton thread?
So glad your video came through my feed!
I'm glad it was helpful! Here's a link to a chart that may fit your needs bit.ly/3LCiLqx
@@DanielaMellen thank you!
Your voice and mannerisms remind me so much of Karen, from Just Get it Done Quilts! (Whom I love) So informative and great presentation!
Oh thank you! I appreciate that and think Karen makes wonderful videos. She's so likable and knowledgeable.
I often choose perle because it has a good sheen on it which I like. For satin stitch I prefer the embroidery cotton as the fine strands will lie flat and smooth.
Thank you for the good information. ❤️
This was a very informative video TFS 🇦🇺😎😍😍😍
Thank you!
Y’all might check Merriam-Webster. They show both skane and skean pronounciations.
Thanks for the comment.
Thank you for sharing this.
Glad it was helpful!
I loved the tip about the 19 inch threads! I have stayed away from them because the few times I used them, they would knot up on me after the first use.
To keep your thread from twisting, just drop your needle every few stitches and let it untwist! Never had a problem when doing this!
Thanks!
Good tip!
I switched to #12 perle cotton quilt a few years ago instead of using 2 strands of regular embroidery floss - I love redwork style hand embroidery!!! It’s nit easy to find locally so I try to keep a,good supply before I need to go online. Stores that do carry perle cotton have a very small selection of #12.
Redwork sounds beautiful! It can be difficult to find the perle cotton.
Great tips!! Thanks 😊
Thank you1
Very helpful info. Thank you Daniela. You are looking well. I like your hairstyle now. Very cute. 😊.
Oh thank you!
Great! Now I know how to keep the cut skein intact WITH labels!! Yah!
Glad it was helpful!
This was a very helpful video! Thank you!
Thanks!
Hi there i found this video very informative thank you so much for this
Thank you!
Thank you for a very informative video! I never knew all of this information. I may make a little sampler also. Great idea ❤❤❤🎉
Glad it was helpful!
❤ that is a great explanation of the threads, thank you for the great tips on using it…… ❤
Thank you so much!
This is very helpful. Thank you!
Thank you for watching!
Thank you! This was wonderful information. Love the sample.
Thanks so much!
Good info😊
Thanks 🙂
Hi Daniela. I’m happy to see you looking so well. Thank you for sharing this info. I’ve not yet been able to find Perle thread in any local stores. I’ll have to order some online
It can be hard to find - especially a selection of all the sizes.
The Perle is excellent for slow stitching, and perfect for Kawandi in my work. 😉
Love that!
I prefer Perle cotton over floss for embroidery. You look good Daniella.
Oh thank you!
Incredibly helpful & informative. Really enjoyed your presentation style. Many thanks! ❤❤❤
Glad it was helpful!
I put the skeins and labels in a snack size ziplock baggie. They stay together, untangled and clean.
Great tip! Thank you!
That’s what I do too. I store them in rainbow color order in a shirt gift box.
Thank you for the great information.
Thank you for watching.
Good explanation. I'm about to start a crochet project of bookmarks with no.5 perle cotton and knowing ways to unwind the skein is useful. Thanks!
Glad it was helpful!
Thank you so much Daniela! Great informative video.
Glad you enjoyed it!
I use peeled cotton for hand tying quilts. It’s my favorite for that purpose!❤👍
Darn you auto correct!!!!! Perle cotton!
Great tip!
😅 I was wondering what peeled cotton was!
@@tcldevi right?!🤪
😂 Autocorrect drives me crazy, too!
Useful information !!
Thanks a lot
Thank you so much for this video!😉
Glad it was helpful!
Thanks so much for all the tips
You are welcome. 😊
Thank you for this tutorial. Very informative and helpful.
Thank you!
Wow, just found your channel. I love how you explained this. Subscribed! thanks.
Awesome, thank you and welcome!
Thank you, very helpful!
Thank you!
How strange, I just bought my first 2 balls of Pearl Cotton! Your timing was perfect!
Perfect!
Thank you! Nice to know
My pleasure!
Thanks so much for this info!
You're welcome 😊
Loads of Great information thank you 🤗 take care
Thank you!
I mostly use perle thread as it gives much better stitch definition. I only use floss when I don't want that eg for satin stitch. I ALWAYS rewind the skeins into balls as you do with wool yarn. Not sure why you didn't mention that option.
Thanks for sharing the tip of winding the unused perle into a ball. I haven't used that option or even thought of it. Appreciate the comment.
I’ve used regular embroidery,floss,for almost 60 years and have never had any bleed! I embroidered many pillowcases for me and they all were washed many times - no bleeding! No matter the color.
Thanks for that information. It's so helpful to hear from someone with a lifetime of experiece with floss. I appreciate your tip.
My personnal experience with bleeding: the big brands DMC and Anchor, used them for years never had a problem. I inherited the stash of a friend mother, she had other brands I didn’t know from China and I experienced bleeding just with some raindrops. I think it is worth the price to maybe pay a little more for well known brands.
@@jezanne Definitely stick with a name brand! When I started my hand embroidery voyage back in 1965 I was in college and went to the local 5 and dime and bought a set of pre- printed pillow cases and some floss - the brand was Star - haven’t seen it in years. But,over the many, many washing’s since that time this embroidery floss has never bled. I’ve seen floss for sale online without naming a company and I would never purchase it not knowing the origin.
The older floss was made with dyes that, for some colors, caused water pollution even though they are colorfast. Some of the dyes that replaced them will bleed, even with name brands. Test a strand for colorfastness before using it by washing it in the soap you plan to use on your project and laying it on white cloth or paper towels.
Very helpful. Thanks
Glad it was helpful!
I'm going to try Perle on smocking. It drives me nuts to 'iron' the floss so it stops it's memory of twisting.
Let me know how it goes. I'd be very interested in hearing your opinion of perle's use in smocking.
@@DanielaMellen I will!
@@DanielaMellen so I did some smocking with #8 perle. It was a tiny bit fuzzier than embroidery floss. Since I learned on youtube how to smock from a smockers' guild lady (one of the many teachers of smocking) that was anal about the three threads being 'ironed' and always unwound and laying flat to fabric. Very time consuming. I too became anal about it. I have two little girls to smock for so I'm in a hurry to finish up garments. I will probably carry on with the perle because of the extra time that goes into prepping floss.
@@junemoores1146 Thank you for researching this and then sharing it with me. Very interesting to learn all the nuances of using floss and how that compares to the perle for smocking.
nice
Thanks
Hello Daniela. Help! I amworking on crocheted Xmas ornaments and the pattern calls forcrocheting tiny flowers with 6 strand DMC embroidery floss. What size crochet hook should I buy that works best with embroidery floss. I assume these are those teeny weeny steel hooks. Thanks for your advice. Very nice tutorial by the way!
I am not a skilled crochet artist by any means, so I hope others will help out in the comments, but I seem to recall 2 mm or very close to that size (1.75, maybe) for embroidery floss. For crocheting with floss, I needed a light, magnifying lens, and lots of patience 😀.
@@DanielaMellen Thanks, Daniela. I am on Amazon right now and about to order a steel hook set in those small sizes. I should be able to find one among them that will feel comfortable working with 6 strand DMC. And yes a1.75mm is in this set. Youare a doll. Thanks for responding. Subbing your channel!
So glad it was helpful!
Your information is excellent. I would like to know the type of needle you use with the size 3 or 5 perle threads.
Typically, a size 1 needle will be used for Size Perle 3
and size 3 needle for Size Perle 5.
and a size 5 or 7 needle for Size 12 Perle
Unless, they are new needles, still in their packages, I do not keep them organized by size, instead, I have 3 pin cushions that I have my "working needles". I will replace them with new needles throughout the year - depending on frequency of use.
Im SHOCKED peeps are mass chirping about the pronunciation....wonderful video, gracious reply and I'm subscribing.
Welcome! I hope you find the video (and others) helpful. ❤️
@@DanielaMellen The pronounciation is perlé. The accent makes it to be said é, like hey but without the h. I'm French by the way.
THank you.
Excellent video thank you
Glad you enjoyed it