From the romanticism of Alexander McQueen to the rock ‘n’ roll rebellion of Balmain, metallic embroidery is adding a luxe edge to some of fashion’s latest looks. Check out some of our favorite embroidered creations and try it on your next project with Amann Group Mettler Poly Sheen® thread. A larger surface area means the thread reflects more light and is sure to bring attention to wherever you decide to stitch it. Toss in a few sequins or beads for a textural effect and take your garment project to the next level.
Want to try it at home? Machine embroidery is most obviously the easy way to go, but don’t be afraid to do your embroidery by hand (it’s super therapeutic as well). Use thread to bring out a pattern or shape on your fabric, finished garment project or even a store-bought item. It’s a great way to add a luxe, personal touch. Check out our handy list of links to help you get started and a few BurdaStyle patterns that we think are the perfect template for a little metallic embroidery.
- Channel the rock ‘n’ roll vibe of Balmain by adding colored metallic embroidery to our Three Quarter Sleeve Dress. Ditch the lace and make it in an ethnic patterned fabric that you can use as a guide for your embroidery.
- Go ultra romantic with an embroidered bodice gown using our Strapless Wedding Gown pattern. This project doesn’t necessarily have to be for a wedding day, it would make a great prom or formal dress like this beautiful one that misslivia made for her prom festivities.
- Kick a rough-and-tumble basic up a notch with strategically placed embroidery. I love this Dries Van Noten parka because it’s a wonderful mix of utility and beauty with the silver and bead embroidery on the sleeve. Give this juxtaposed look a whirl with our Hooded Parka pattern, or test it out on one of your old jackets to see what you think.
Sep 10, 2011, 07.31 PMby ssarryo
Seeing these clothes makes me want to embroider and bead with my tambour beading hook. : )
Sep 8, 2011, 11.20 PMby CaliforniaPinsnNeedles
I have a Viking embroidery machine as well as a mechanical. The trick to using metalic threads on either of these machines is to use white or black polyester embroidery weight thread in the bobbin case. I save money by getting a large spool and winding my bobbins as I go along. Metalic thread that has more of a twist to it versus the stuff that resembles Christmas Tree Tinsel doesn’t break as much. Also, get to know your stabilizers and match the stabilizer to the type of fabric you are embroidering on as well as the density of the design you are embroidering.
1 Reply
Sep 9, 2011, 02.31 PMby themisslinds
wow – thanks for all the great advice!
Sep 8, 2011, 07.19 PMby yesicap416
i will try this =]
Sep 5, 2011, 12.09 AMby kelepso
I really like this idea. I think I’ll try it on one of my next menswear garments.
1 Reply
Sep 8, 2011, 03.56 PMby themisslinds
ooo embroidered menswear, i like that idea!
Sep 4, 2011, 11.35 PMby tambasmall
I can’t wait until I find my dream embroidery machine. Right now the only thing stopping me is the money! Heehee. Love the article Burda Style!
Sep 4, 2011, 07.43 AMby rochelle49
I would like to add to the sewing with metallic thread some advice I recently learned: use larger spools of thread. The coil of the thread is less tight and less likely to tangle.
Sep 3, 2011, 06.29 PMby wzrdreams
I love this idea, I have a few metallic spools in my stash that I also bought without a plan. I think this a great idea to embellish a simple pattern.
1 Reply
Sep 8, 2011, 03.57 PMby themisslinds
agreed – i think the more simple the pattern the better – let the embroidery speak for itself.
Sep 3, 2011, 12.14 AMby Carla Miller-Camacho
I wish I had an embroidery machine just for this type of work. I too have metallic threads in my collections just catching dust because I do not know how to use them. Maybe someone could direct me towards some nice simple embroidery patterns that I could do on a domestic zig zag machine.
1 Reply
Sep 5, 2011, 10.52 AMby chicknribbs
Just google “free-motion machine embroidery” and about a million tutorials and youtube videos pop up. Seems like you could use just about any line-drawn image to start out with.
Sep 2, 2011, 08.48 PMby jwick5
I too bought metallic embroidery thread years ago, not knowing at all what I would do with it. It has sat in my stash of notions and I have not thought about it since. This has inspired me to find the perfect project to use it- I think that is a good enough reason to go fabric shopping this weekend!
Sep 2, 2011, 08.43 PMby nouvellegamine
so opulent! i went through an eastern european phase in my early 20s where i just wanted to look like a russian princess. lol, this is totally refeeding my fantasy :D
Sep 2, 2011, 06.23 PMby sewingfan1
I 2nd the thanx, was wondering whether this would be the place to ask how to use these threads as I bought some years ago and wasn’t sure if they’d work on my standard machine. If they do, presumably you’d use a normal thread for the bobbin?
3 Replies
Sep 2, 2011, 06.34 PMby countrygurltracy
I can only get them to work on a standard machine they will not run in my Bernina at all I have tried wax even. As for the bobbin thread yes.
Sep 3, 2011, 01.09 AMby FabricUiPhoneApp
It works really well in a bobbin, there isn’t the tension issue that you have when it’s the main thread. If you use it in the bobbin, I suggest your other thread match your fabric. Sew with the right side down then you’ll have the metallic thread on top. BTW, this technique is a great time to experiment with any of the decorative stitches on your machine.
Sep 3, 2011, 04.33 PMby sewingfan1
Thankyou both. Can’t wait to give it a try!!
Sep 2, 2011, 02.04 PMby FabricUiPhoneApp
I love the Mettler threads. Sewers, if you use the metallic threads, it needs to unspool vertically NOT horizontally or it will break. You also need to spray it with silicon so it’s a little more slippery and won’t snap. Finally, use a needle for metallics.
3 Replies
Sep 2, 2011, 02.04 PMby themisslinds
thanks for the advice!
Sep 2, 2011, 06.36 PMby countrygurltracy
Ty i have not tried the silicone but have tried the horizontal and i prefer the metallic needles for all of my embroidery work.
Sep 3, 2011, 04.10 AMby Sara Moskovitz
This is fantastic advice, thank you YarnU. I recently picked up metallic thread for the first time and was having difficulty sewing it as I would other all-purpose thread. Excited to take another stab at using it.