How to Use Wood Bobbin Silk Thread Sets in Hand Embroidery

Quick answer

Work directly from the stamped wood bobbin, winding off only the length you need for the current stitching session. Keep the bobbin upright in a shallow dish or thread stand so the silk feeds smoothly without twisting, and return any unused thread to its bobbin before storing the set.

Step-by-step: stitching from wood bobbins

1. Set up a stable feeding point: Place the bobbin upright in a shallow dish, thread stand, or a small jar so it can rotate freely as you pull thread. Common mistake: leaving the bobbin flat on the fabric, where it rolls and introduces twist. Check that the thread leaves the bobbin smoothly before you thread the needle.
2. Wind off only what you need: Unspool a length that matches your stitch plan, typically no longer than your forearm for delicate work. Cut the thread at an angle and keep the remaining silk on the bobbin. Checkpoint: if the thread kinks as it comes off, you have wound off too much or the bobbin is snagging. Short lengths reduce fraying and keep the silk’s shine intact.
3. Thread the needle without splitting the silk: Use a needle with a smooth, large enough eye for the thread’s thickness, and pass the cut end through rather than pushing the whole bobbin. Common mistake: licking the thread to sharpen it, which can leave residue on silk. If the thread resists the eye, switch to a needle with a larger eye rather than forcing it.
4. Control tension at the bobbin, not the needle: Hold the bobbin between thumb and forefinger to add slight drag as you stitch; this keeps stitches even without pulling the silk tight. Checkpoint: stitches should lie flat on the fabric, not pucker it. If they pucker, release bobbin tension and let the thread relax. Consistent light drag from the bobbin gives you better tension control than tugging the needle.
5. Return unused thread to the correct bobbin: Wind leftover thread back onto its original bobbin in a loose, even layer, and secure the end in the bobbin’s notch or with a small piece of acid-free tape. Common mistake: mixing colors on one bobbin, which makes the next palette hard to identify. Keep each of the six colors on its own labeled bobbin so the set stays ready to use.
6. Store the set away from light and moisture: Keep the bobbins in a closed box or tin, away from direct sunlight and damp, and add a small silica packet if your studio is humid. Checkpoint: before your next session, inspect the silk for tangles or dust and rewind if needed. A dry, dark storage spot protects the silk’s strength and sheen between projects.

Product facts

• Perlée Silk Threads on Wood Bobbins - Sets of 6 colors - Au Ver à Soie: Each palette contains six unique colors of Soie perlée, a three-ply, non-divisible spun silk wound onto stamped wood bobbins at 16 meters per spool. You get a coordinated color range in one set and enough length per color for small motifs, borders, and practice stitches without buying full skeins.