How Many Strands of Thread to Use (the Table You Need)

You've picked a beautiful colour, you thread up, you start stitching… and the result looks thin and the fabric shows through. Or the opposite: the stitch comes out tight and bulky. It's almost always the same thing: the number of strands doesn't match your fabric. Here's how to get it right every time.

First, what is a strand?

Each skein of DMC thread is made of six fine strands twisted together. You almost never stitch with all six at once: you separate them depending on what you need. That's why a single skein goes such a long way.

The quick strand table

The number of strands depends on the count of your fabric. The denser the fabric, the fewer strands you need to cover it:

  • Aida 11 (large stitches): 3 strands.
  • Aida 14 (the most common): 2 strands.
  • Aida 16-18 (fine): 1 or 2 strands.
  • 28-count linen (worked over two): 2 strands.
  • Backstitch and outlines: almost always 1 strand, so the line stays fine and clean.

The eternal doubt? Stitch a couple of test stitches in a corner. If the fabric "peeks" through the threads, add a strand; if the stitch is bulky, drop one.

The trick almost nobody mentions: always separate

Even if you're going to stitch with two strands, don't cut two strands together and start stitching. Separate all six strands one by one and then put back together the ones you need. Why? Because separating them lets them "fluff up" and lie straight again, without twisting. The result: a plumper stitch that covers better and looks far nicer. It seems trivial, and it's the difference between an ordinary piece and one that's a joy to look at.

Mind your tension

Neither loose nor tight. Pull too hard and the fabric puckers and the stitches sink; leave the thread slack and you get loops. Aim for the stitch to rest on the fabric without distorting it. With time, your hand finds the right tension on its own.

In short

More stitches per inch, fewer strands. Always separate the strands one by one before stitching, and test in a corner if in doubt. These small gestures are what turn a decent piece into a beautiful one. And if you'd like every colour at your fingertips, take a look at our range of DMC threads.

Regresar al blog