Monday, June 11

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)

15 comments:

  1. Olá,quase todas as marcas de linha de seis fios fazem uma festa,para que isso não aconteça,é só passar a linha em torno do corpo da vela,a cera ajuda a firmar e não desfiar tanto,também acalma a rebeldia.Como é levemente,quando acabar de bordar passar o ferro morno com papel toalha em cima,fácil e ajuda muito.Espero que não se aborreça comigo.Beijo.

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    1. Thank you for sharing! For those not fluent in Portuguese: @fabiolasmoments (on Twitter) from Brasil helped me with the translation! It helps to the smoothen the thread by wrapping the thread around a candle and ironing it on a warm temperature with a paper towel on top !

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  2. beautiful threads and beautiful stitches!!
    hugs, Masha

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  3. Thank you - I am so into embroidery since Retreat! x

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  4. I love the look of the shinier floss, but I don't trust the knots to hold. Did you have any problem with that? Do you think they'll hold together through washings, etc.?

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    1. I do think that you have to treat this thread (or the embroideries made with it) a little more delicately compared to stuff made with 'regular' thread. Because it's so smooth and silky it tends to go it's own way sometimes. I guess you would have to take that into consideration when you choose threads. If you are using it on an item that gets handled everyday and is laundered often (tea towel) you might be better off with Mouline floss. The French knots (forgot to mention those in the post) were easy to make and again maybe better on stuff that doesn't get handled a lot!

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    2. i cross stitched a skirt using the old version (rayon floss) and waste canvas. that was about 3 and a half years ago, and while i do save the skirt for special occasions, it's washed just the same as all of my other clothes, and it's lasted beautifully!

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    3. thanks for sharing that Amy! I like it when embroidery has a practical use as well. I have several embroidered pillowcases (with mouline floss) that are often washed and put in the dryer but come out really nice every time! Somehow the fill stitching seems 'tighter' and smoother after it's washed and dried!

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  5. Love all the colours and what a lovely effect! I have been wanting to learn how to do satin stitch but it just got a little higher on my list :-)

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  6. thanks for the test stitches and details! i have some dmc rayon thread in my stash that i use every once in a while, but i have to admit, it's definitely provoked some choice words! most recently i discovered how perfect it was for couching, and now i'm completely in love again.

    i'm also really happy to hear that the satin is an improved version - i never knew why they made the switch, and i've been hesitant to buy any while i still had the rayon to work with.

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    1. I have very little experience with the 'old' rayon floss (I gave mine to my mum a long time ago) but from what I read this Satin floss is really much easier to handle. Must get some of the old rayon and try how that works for me so I can compare properly.

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  7. I love the flower. I have a book of Chinese opera embriodery designs. I bought tee shirts from the craft shop and used the satin floss for them. I love to wear them. I just turn them inside out when I wash them.

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    1. ooh sounds like my kind of book! Thanks for the tip(s) Carol!

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  8. How did I miss this great post? I was just thinking about stitching with rayon after seeing Nat's stitching on Smallest Forest and pow, found you fabulous tutorial. Thanks, Nicole! Going to start experimenting right away.

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