Today, I’m reviewing a selection of Sullivans embroidery flosses, including standard embroidery floss, pearl cotton, and metallic floss.
While Sullivans might not be as well known as some other embroidery floss brands on the market, I was immediately drawn to the rich color, consistent texture, and lustrous appearance of the skeins—especially the pearl cotton. I decided that the best way to get a feel for the overall collection was to put all of the floss types to the test in one large project. With each floss, I tried several stitches or techniques so I could show you exactly how it looks in action.
So you can follow along with the test, here’s a photo of the finished project.
According to the Sullivans site:
Sullivans embroidery floss has been enhanced and perfected to top quality. Customers will be pleased with the smooth texture and variety of colors, especially when compared to other brands. Sullivans brand floss is made with 100% Egyptian cotton, pre-washed, and dyed with the best colorfast dyes. With more than 450 colors, there is a match for every project. Compare this high quality floss and see for yourself.
• Premium Quality
• 454 Stunning Colors
• 100% Egyptian Cotton
• Colorfast & Tangle-Free
Embroidery Floss
According to the Sullivans site:
100% Egyptian cotton all the time. No blending of lesser quality cotton fibers.
• 8.7 yards per pull-skein, six strands, easily divisible, double-mercerized for soft sheen.
• Manufactured with reverse twist process to provide virtually knot-free and tangle-free performance.
Standard embroidery floss retails for about $0.49 per skein; overdyed embroidery floss retails for about $0.79 per skein.
What I loved:
1. To start, I used separated three strands from the 6 strand length of embroidery floss. The strands separated smoothly when I pulled, and there was no knotting at all during the process.
2. The floss texture was smooth, soft, and easy on the hands as I stitched.
3. The floss was easy to work with and the texture was consistent. The separations made with my split stitches were crisp and even.
4. The overdyed floss color was consistent, even when the strands were separated.
5. The overdyed floss colors blend together beautifully to create multi-hued lines.
6. There is a downloadable conversion chart to help you find the Sullivan floss color that most closely matches DMC, Anchor, and J.P. Coats colors. (I didn’t check each color, but my spot checked colors were pretty close.)
7. Each floss tag is also labeled with the most similar DMC color code.
What I didn’t love:
I didn’t have any issues while trying out the regular 6-strand embroidery floss.
Pearl Cotton
Pearl cottons are non-divisible threads that come in different sizes, usually 5, 8 and 12 (5 is the thickest, 12 is the smallest).
Size 5
According to the Sullivans site:
100% Egyptian cotton, double mercerized, non-divisible, Size 5, on a 6” long twisted skein.
• 15 yards per skein, a new shorter yardage that is more convenient for stitchers who are often left with tangled Pearl Cotton once their 27 yard skein is opened and partially used.
• 81 colorfast, fade-resistant shades. Long staple cotton fibers reduce fraying.
• Premium quality Egyptian cotton used all the time, every time. No blending of lesser quality cottons.
• All washing and care instruction symbols on skein label.
Size 5 pearl cotton retails for around $0.63 per skein; overdyed size 5 pearl cotton retails for around $1.03 per skein.
What I loved:
1. The size 5 purl cotton is perfect for making strong, bold lines without the need for stem stitch or split stitch.
2. Because pearl cotton strands can’t be separated, stem stitches have a nice full texture.
3. The pearl cotton texture adds extra dimension to pieces without the extra work of fancy stitches.
What I didn’t love:
1. Because the floss is thick, you need a needle with a large eye or a needle threader to get started. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing, it just slowed me down a bit.
Size 8 & 12
According to the Sullivans site:
A 100% Egyptian cotton, double mercerized, non-divisible thread on a ball put-up.
• Colorfast and fade-resistant. Long staple cotton fibers reduce fraying.
• Size 8 has 87 yards per ball. Available in 7 most popular colors:White, Ecru, Snow White, Cream, Red, Burgundy, Black.
• Size 12 has 131 yards per ball. Available in 4 best selling colors:White, Ecru, Snow White, Cream.
Size 8 pearl cotton retails for about $1.99 per ball; size 12 retails for about $2.25.
What I loved:
1. The size 8 purl cotton is an easy option for detail work, since it doesn’t need to be separated, and can be used right off the ball.
2. Size 8 is fine enough to layer on top of other stitches without adding extra bulk. This is great if you want to add an outline or highlight color.
3. Size 12 is very fine, but still covers lines consistently. (Be careful when using it over especially thick, dark lines, as some of the line might show.)
What I didn’t love:
1. It was difficult to find the end of the thread on the ball. I eventually took the whole top loop off and unwound it.
Metallic Floss
According to the Sullivans site:
A six-strand, divisible, sparkling metallic thread on an 8.7 yard pull-skein put-up.
• Product is clearly identified as “Metallic Floss” so that customer immediately knows product type and anticipated usage, versus “Light Effects”.
• Washable and tarnish-resistant. All washing and care instruction symbols on skein label.
• Each strand is a Size 25, which is the same thickness as cotton Embroidery Floss, making Sullivans Metallic Floss ideal for blending to create dazzling stitched results.
• 23 brilliant colors with color description on skein labels.
Metallic floss retails for about $1.27 per skein.
What I loved:
1. The strands separated quickly and easily.
2. The color was bright and consistent.
3. If you use split stitch or stem stitch, the metallic floss looks similar to beadwork.
4. Metallic floss was perfect for highlighting details in my project.
What I didn’t love:
1. Metallic thread is always somewhat stiff and difficult to work with. I needed to pay close attention in order to tack the ends down properly on the back of my project. (This isn’t an issue specific to Sullivans floss.)
2. Unlike cotton flosses, metallic floss knots and twists very easily.
3. Though the six strands separated easily, each individual strand also split apart, creating twice as many ends. (This isn’t an issue specific to Sullivans floss.)
Overall Impressions:
I found Sullivans embroidery flosses to be a consistently high-quality floss option. I was very pleased with my finished owl project, and I especially enjoyed working with the pearl cotton and metallics. I think the price per skein/ball is very reasonable, and I would definitely recommend these products to other stitchers. The Sullivans flosses were absolutely comparable in quality to the DMC flosses that I usually use.
My only caution is that, while nice, the Sullivans flosses aren’t as widely available as other flosses, so the products aren’t always easy to track down online. Per the Sullivans store locator page, most of the products are available at My Notions Online, but I still had some trouble finding and confirming the prices for the size 8 and 12 pearl cotton (which, incidentally, were my favorites from the review).
Disclosure: Samples provided for review, but my opinions are honest and my own!
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I loved the way it turned out. You make it look easy because you are good at it 🙂 I bet I will find a hundred ways to mess it up…
Pearl cotton floss is difficult to find locally. I actually use it to crochet fine gauge edgings not to embroider. I’ll check this site and probably buy some due to your recommendation.
Darla
Where did you get the owl pattern? Cute!
Maria
Thanks! The owl pattern is from the Forest Friends collection at Sublime Stitching: http://www.sublimestitching.com/collections/patterns-all-mix/products/forest-friends-embroidery-patterns