Exploring Satin Floss

photo courtesy of DMC

Earlier this year the nice people over at DMC Creative sent me a lot of their fine goodies to use in my embroidery design work. Not just the 'regular' Mouline six stranded embroidery floss but also Satin Floss. It sat in my stash for a bit, as I was a little apprehensive about using it. But...I used it recently for a new pattern (for the next &Stitches e-zine!) and I thought I'd share my first experience with Satin Floss with you all.

DMC Satin floss is actually the (improved) replacement of what used to be DMC Rayon floss. Like 'regular' floss it has six strands and they tend to separate really easy. Actually it's kind of hard to prevent them from separating once you have cut a length from the skein.

There is a range of different colours available (36 in total) and the numbers on the Satin floss correspond with that of the Mouline floss (see photo above). The thread is super soft and silky and above all very, very shiny.

I used a simple flower design to try out different ways of using Satin floss.

1. Satin stitch with a single strand of Satin floss (DMC S899) Soft, shiny and smooth result.
2. Satin stitch using two strands of Mouline six stranded floss (DMC 899) and one strand of Satin floss (S899) I was amazed that a single strand still made the petal look super shiny.
3. Satin stitch with a single strand 'regular' Mouline six stranded floss (DMC 899)
4. Satin stitch with a single strand of Satin floss (DMC S818) A really smooth and shiny result
5. Shading with one strand of Mouline six stranded floss (DMC 818, 899 and B5200) Not my best shading, but in my defense: it actually looks better in real life than on this photo!
6. Shading with one strand of Satin Floss (DMC S818, S899 and S5200) Again the actual embroidery looks better, honestly. :)


Satin stitches are the way to go if you are using Satin Floss. The longer stitches really catch the light beautifully. I can imagine it would look especially great when you embroider flower designs on clothing or household textiles for example. Admittingly, working with Satin floss is a little trickier compared to using Mouline floss but definitely not 'too hard' for a stitcher with a little experience. The stitches do not lie as flat on the fabric compared to 'regular' thread. On the other hand this also gives a nice padded effect.        Personally I prefer to use just one strand of this thread as it easier to 'control' and gives you a more refined result.

The Satin stitch (there are tutorials all over the internet) is not a difficult stitch to learn but it takes some practice to get a neat result. I find that it helps to start in the middle of whatever you are fill stitching and work your way first to the right (or left) and visa versa.  And maybe in a while you will be able to stitch something like this:

photo courtesy of DMC

Hope my exploration of Satin Floss was useful to you, please let me know if you have any questions! (I will then answer them in the comments)