DMC's Coton a Broder Versus DMC's Stranded Cotton Floss

Mary Corbet explains the difference between DMC's Coton a Broder and their stranded cotton floss in this interesting article.

https://www.needlenthread.com/2025/04/coton-a-broder-vs-stranded-cotton-what-you-need-to-know.html

It's easy to confuse the two if you just look at the labels, but stranded cotton is the normal six ply we are familiar with while Coton a Broder is a single stranded thread, sort of like a soft perle cotton.  If you want more information, Mary's included links to quite a few articles about cotton threads she has written over the years.  You can't go wrong listening to Mary!

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright April 29, 2025 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Theadaholic Alert! Dyeing for Cross Stitch Cotton and Silk Floss

Thanks to Cheryl over at NP Nation, I've learned of the hand dyed cotton and silk flosses from Dyeing for Cross Stitch.

https://dyeing4crossstitch.com/collections/cotton-hand-dyed-floss

https://dyeing4crossstitch.com/collections/silk-hand-dyed-floss

The colors are very beautiful but heed the warning about one and done colors.  Make sure you buy enough, especially if you buy silk floss as all their silk colors are done only once.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright January 13, 2025 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

ThreadworX's Floss and Overdyed Kreinik

Needlepoint.com's latest video showcases overdyed cotton floss and overdyed Kreinik from ThreadworX.  These are beautiful threads, with lovely colors, and the Kreinik size 8 and 12 overdoes are so pretty!

https://needlepoint.com/blogs/needlepoint-know-how/thread-talks-all-about-threadworx

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright August 27, 2024 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Threadaholic Alert: Southern Fried Floss

Want to try something new?  Southern Stitchers Company is hand dying cotton floss under the Southern Fried Floss name.  Each skein is around 8.7 yards.  Here are the available colors, although they are adding new ones all the time.  Remember, these are hand dyed colors so make sure you buy enough for your project.  You almost certainly can't match a color exactly if you run out because this is a small company, dyeing in small batches.  The label points out the colors are NOT colorfast.

https://www.southernstitchersco.com/southern-fried-floss-color-list

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright January 7, 2024 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Cosmo Updated

I am a huge fan of Cosmo, which is a Japanese six ply cotton floss, available in hundreds of colors and even in about thirty overdyes. Trish Burr is working with Cosmo's manufacturer in Japan to package color ranges for sale.  If you've ever despaired about finding 5-7 shades of a color for a design, Cosmo has what you need.  

https://trishburr.com/2023/01/27/cosmo-floss/

If you don't want to do mail order or Trish runs out of these limited edition packs, check with quilt shops in your area.  Many carry Cosmo.  I love stitching with it.  Of all the cotton flosses available, Cosmo is my favorite by far due to the huge color range, the silky feel as you stitch with it, and the quality of the cotton thread itself.

UPDATE:  Rittenhouse just posted that they stock Cosmo.  There are tons of shades!

https://www.facebook.com/rittenhouse.needlepoint/photos/a.640836352697490/5802869793160761/

Here is their website ordering page in case you can't resist.

https://myneedlepoint.com/catalogsearch/result/?q=Cosmo+6+stranded+embroidery+floss

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright January 27, 2023 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Anchor Tapestry Wool and Cotton Floss Come to Big Box Stores

Anchor Tapestry Wool

I'd heard on the grapevine that in the US big box craft stores now carry Anchor tapestry wool and cotton floss.  Last weekend I stopped by the Michael's near me and saw these two displays beside the DMC cotton floss area.  As you can see, there are a limited range of colors but the wool is available in both nearly 11 yard small skeins and the large nearly 44 yard hanks.

Anchor Embroidery Floss

The cotton floss is presented on spools instead of little skeins and there are more colors available.  The display doesn't say how much yardage is on a spool but Anchor claims there is 25% more thread on the spools.  I found this article about the floss spools.

https://www.yarnspirations.com/introducing-anchor-embroidery-floss-on-spools.html

I've never used Anchor tapestry wool but I really like their embroidery floss so I'll be picking up a range of colors I use a lot to add to my stash my next trip to the big city.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright November 15, 2021 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

DMC Pine Chests Back in Stock

DMC has just announced the pine storage chests from Spain are back in stock.  These are expensive but come with a printed color card and a full set of their cotton flosses.

https://www.dmc.com/us/vintage-wooden-chest-w500-skeins-9009158.html?utm_source=Commonthread+Masterlist&utm_campaign=c67907d44c-campaign_vintage_chest_assortment_storage_COPY_01&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_3a652561da-c67907d44c-82831385&ct=t(campaign_vintage_chest_assortment_storage_COPY_01)&mc_cid=c67907d44c&mc_eid=f7c1b12c64

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright August 26, 2021 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Threadaholic Alert: Anchor!

People are starting to report that the big box craft stores are carrying Anchor again.  Donna found Anchor tapestry wool and cotton floss (now on spools, not skeins) at her local Michael's.  Also try Joann's Fabrics, Hobby Lobby, etc.

http://majtravaux.blogspot.com/2021/08/threads.html

Folks say that Anchor is only turning up at the largest stores.  I've also heard people think the Anchor floss packaged on spools is a bit thinner than the skeins version.  Here's much more from the Sun City Stitcher.

https://www.suncitystitcher.com/2021/08/anchor-floss-on-spools-as-seen-at-joanns.html

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright August 10, 2021 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

DMC's Newest Storage Chest

DMC has what they describe as a "vintage wooden chest" for sale (they include 500 skeins of cotton floss and a printed color card) to use to keep your cotton threads organized.

https://www.dmc.com/us/our-products-9001012/storage-9001019/boxes-9001154.html

If you need a way to corral threads, this might be for you.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright February 2, 2021 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Mary Corbet and Cosmo Variegated Cotton Floss UPDATED

Mary Corbet has written an article about cotton flosses that are color fast and it includes a short review of Cosmo variegated cotton floss from Japan.
https://www.needlenthread.com/2020/05/cosmo-seasons-variegated-embroidery-thread.html

I really like Cosmo's regular cotton floss.  It has a huge range of colors so you can easily find 7-11 shades of anything almost.  I am not as big a fan of their variegated because the colors don't really appeal to me but if you like the colors, this is a terrific cotton floss.  It's more expensive than DMC but it's good stuff.  Here's where I buy mine, at a local quilt shop that also carries Presencia's Finca perle cottons in size 8 and size 12.
https://www.webfabrics.net/cgi-bin/Store/store.cgi?.s0&lastmenu=&menu=submenu-1100.html

UPDATE #2:  Rittenhouse has a little video on this wonderful cotton floss.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LlAHzSX9rqQ

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright May 8, 2020 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Madeira's Cotton Floss: A Review

Mary Corbet has been stitching with Madeira's cotton floss and has posted a review on her website.  Threadaholics, take note!  By the way, Madeira's silk floss is packaged the same way as the cotton embroidery floss.  I don't like the stiff feel of their silk but the packaging is genius!
https://www.needlenthread.com/2019/02/thread-talk-madeira-cotton-embroidery-floss.html#comment-908370

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright February 1, 2019 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Threadaholic Alert: Tonkin Floss

The French Needle is starting to import a new cotton thread with a bit of metallic woven in to the USA. They call it Tonkin Floss.  Click on the photos to get a better look at the thread and the various colors available.  Judging from the photos, this isn't a strandable thread but it's hard to be certain.
https://www.frenchneedle.com/collections/tonkin-floss

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright July 7, 2018 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

The Floss Inn

This morning's post by Mary Corbet is a review of a new product called The Floss Inn.  Basically this is a traveling project organization bag invented to hold cotton embroidery floss (DMC, Anchor, etc.).    I think it would work for other threads, too, as long as they aren't too bulky.  It's worth a consideration if you have to travel with your projects often.
https://www.needlenthread.com/2018/02/tool-talk-the-floss-inn.html

You can browse the various sizes and fabrics available here, plus watch the little video of a Floss Inn being used.
https://theflossinn.com

https://theflossinn.com/how-it-all-works

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright February 28, 2018 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Cosmo

Scarlett Johannsen on the Cover of Cosmo

No, I have not been asked to be a cover girl for Cosmopolitan magazine!  (I'd fit right in, though, don't you think?)

Not that long ago a friend [Hi, SL!] told me about Cosmo, a six ply Japanese cotton floss, which she said is very silky to stitch with, and which comes in an amazing range of shades of color.  She also told me I could buy it at a quilt shop over the mountain from my house.  So when I needed to take the dog to the vet's offices only a short distance from the quilt shop, I made a visit.  

Six Pink Cosmo Skeins

This is what I bought--six skeins of shades of pink.  The quilt shop sells them for $1.10 each so I ended up paying $6.83 since I have to pay state tax as well.  The amazing thing was that there were at least 15-20 shades of pink to choose from!  Plus Cosmo comes in variegated colors. This is great news for those looking for a huge range of one color for designs like Patricia Spence's "Twister"which requires seven shades of one color.  

For those who don't live near me or near any quilt shops (as far as I know this is a thread carried mostly by quilt stores), the shop I visited has an online store.  They carry all 442 solid Cosmo colors and the 80 variegated shades.  (They also carry Presencia's Finca perle cotton in both size 8 and size 12.)
http://www.webfabrics.net/cgi-bin/Store/store.cgi?cart_id=1105655.IP64.79.49.145IP.12769.s0&lastmenu=&menu=submenu-1100.html

I found a bit more about the thread plus a DMC conversion chart here.
http://www.thimblecreek.com/cosmo.php

According to this website, Cosmo has a small metallic thread line called Sparkles.  This I haven't seen.
http://thimblecreek.com/product.php?product=88

I've stitched with my Cosmo floss several times since then and find it very high quality.   The color range is amazing (although not every color has as many variations as the reds, blues, and purples).  I think if you are stitching something that needs lots of shades, this is the thread to use.
http://www.stitchers-paradise.com/Canvas_Embroidery/CETwister.html

UPDATE:  Rittenhouse has a little video on this wonderful cotton floss.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LlAHzSX9rqQ

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright January 17, 2017 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Breaking News: DMC Floss Color Card on Sale

DMC's color cards made with real bits of thread are on sale.  I'm guessing these don't include the new colors DMC just announced so they are getting rid of old stock in order to make and sell new color cards with all the colors.  But it's still a good deal for those of us who speak DMC.
https://www.dmc.com/us/dmc-floss-color-card-actual-thread-strands-9000086.html

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright October 15, 2017 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Another Clever Floss Storage Idea UPDATED

One of Mary Corbet's readers sent her photos of the floss storage solution she came up with. It's very clever, repurposing file storage boxes and those combs that are used to bind papers together.
https://www.needlenthread.com/2017/06/floss-organization-comb-binding-hack.html

If you have a lot of these materials around your home office, perhaps this storage solution will work for you.  Thanks, Brenda!

UPDATE:  Shannon says we should check out the organizational plan that Lolli and Grace came up with.  Thanks, Shanon!  Bet this works very well for some folks.
http://www.lolliandgrace.com/how-to-organize-embroidery-thread/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright June 19, 2017 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Organizing DMC Cotton Floss in Photo Storage Boxes UPDATED

Now here's a neat storage idea—using photo storage boxes to organize your DMC cotton floss in color card order.  I owe this link to Mary Corbet who mentioned it on her blog today.
http://wildolive.blogspot.com/2017/05/organizing-embroidery-floss-without.html

I think these are the boxes that Mollie used.
http://www.michaels.com/iris-color-photo-craft-keeper/10468242.html?productsource=PDPZ1

It's a clever idea, isn't it?  Note that my local Michael's doesn't carry the larger box to put the smaller colored ones in, just the small colored boxes. You may need to order this from the online Michael's to get exactly what Mollie used.

UPDATE:  Pat of the Needleart Nut blog found the plain boxes within a larger box at her local Michael's and organized her Kreinik in them.
http://needleartnut.blogspot.com/2017/08/one-organization-job-done.html

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright May 13,  2017 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Threadaholic Alert: Madeira's Sticktwist Embroidery Floss Now Available

Thanks to a report on the Nashville TNNA show for cross stitch, I know that And More is now distributing Madeira's Stitcktwist Madeira embroidery floss.  This is a six ply embroidery floss in the same packaging used for Madeira's silk floss.  I don't really like their silk floss —haven't seen the cotton floss—  but the packaging is genius!
http://www.just-crossstitch.com/newsletters.php?mode=article&article_id=6443&key=JCXN&tp=i-H43-6o-XEh-2qpF4u-1o-PE45-1c-2qpQNr-1TC55t

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright April 5, 2017 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

A New Way to Organize Cotton Flosses

Vonna Pfeiffer,  The Twisted Stitcher, is a cross stitcher and finisher who has come up with a very clever way of organization cotton flosses.  Check it out here--
https://thetwistedstitcher.blogspot.com/2016/01/organizing-your-over-dyed-threads.html

I'm not sure it will work for all thread types but if you have a large stock of threads, this is a cost-effective and clever way to organize some of them.

Many thanks to Gary and Christine for interviewing Vonna on their weekly Fiber Talk podcast.
http://wetalkfiber.com/2017/01/29/fiber-talk-with-vonna-pfeiffer/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright January 29, 2017 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Sandra's Skin Colors

I've just discovered that Fleur de Paris sells sets of DMC cotton floss called "Sandra's Skin Colors" that match Sandra Gilmore's skin tones in her painted canvases.
http://two-handedstitcher.blogspot.com/2017/01/clara-is-going-to-tnna.html

I searched all over the Fleur de Paris website and didn't see any mention of this but I bet your favorite shop can order for you if you have one of the Sandra Gilmore people to stitch, or just stitch lots of faces and am a collector of skin tone threads.

Many thanks to Laura Perin for the tip!

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright January 13, 2017 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.