Thread usage value

Generally the usage of thread per design and colour of a digitized pattern is to be seen on the plot. If
there are no details available it is also possible to estimate the threads approximate usage.
Embroidery machines work with stitch type 301, the lock-stitch. With the optimal adjustments of all the
parameters it should amount to a shared proportion of 2/3 needle thread and 1/3 bobbin thread. On
average the thread usage can be calculated as seen below:

per 1.000 stitches

needle thread

bobbin thread

4,6 m

2,3 m

How many stitches are possible with a thread of ticket no. 40?
1.000 m spool
5.000 m spool

approx. 200.000 stitches*

approx. 1 million stitches*

*Taken from an average stitch length of 4 mm

The thread usage depends on following parameters and varies accordingly:
o Thread tension
o Stitch length
o Fabric thickness
o Number of stitches or machine running time
o Ticket number

Is it possible to estimate the stitch amount of an embroidery design, even before

having digitized the pattern?
Yes it is. You can count with an estimate value of 150 stitches per square centimeter embroidered
surface for embroidery ticket 40 (tex 27). Depending on richness of detail you can use a lower or higher
value. For calculating the embroidered surface, you need the dimensions of the design (length x width)
and an estimation of how many percent of that surface is covered by the embroidery stitches.
Example:
Size: 6, 5 x 8 cm = 54,4 cm
Therefrom 60 % embroidered (visual estimation)
54,4 cm x 0,6 = 32,64 cm
32,64 cm x 150 stitches/cm = 4896 stiches
Finally the digitized pattern has 4470 stiches

65 x 80 mm