9 Best Machine Embroidery Thread Sets for Beginners (October 2026)
The best machine embroidery thread sets for beginners include the brothread 40 Color Thread Kit for new embroiderers, the Simthread 63 Color Thread Kit for varied designs, and the brothread 80 Spool Thread Kit for Janome designs.
On this page (7 sections)
- Which machine embroidery thread set fits your first projects?
- How should you choose machine embroidery thread for a home machine?
- Is polyester or metallic thread better for a first project?
- How do you set up a new machine embroidery thread?
- What common thread mistakes can beginners avoid?
- How should you store and care for embroidery thread?
- Which machine embroidery thread set should you buy?
The New brothread 40-color polyester machine embroidery thread kit is the best starting point for most beginners because it offers a useful range of shades in the common 40 wt format. Choose the storage-box version to keep spools and small tools together, or a larger palette if your designs use many colors.
You don't need every shade before you begin. A useful first kit makes colors easy to identify, gives you enough thread for practice and finished projects, and suits the designs you plan to stitch.
If you are still assembling your setup, our beginner machine embroidery gear guide covers other supplies to consider. Thread, needle, stabilizer, fabric and hooping work together, so our tear-away stabilizer guide can help you choose a backing for simple projects.
Our picks at a glance
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Check itbrothread 40 Color Kit With Storage Box
Best for portable storage - 5
Best for Brother chartsCheck it - 6
Best for color-card matchingCheck it - 7
Best for repeat projectsCheck it - 8
Check itSimthread 120 Madeira Color Kit
Best for variegated shades - 9
Check itbrothread 20 Color Metallic Kit
Best for shiny accents
Which machine embroidery thread set fits your first projects?
The best machine embroidery thread set depends on the colors your designs call for, how much you want to store and whether you need a specialty effect. The kits below focus mostly on general-purpose polyester, with one metallic option for decorative stitching.
Our scores reflect each set's thread format, color range, included tools and fit for a beginner choosing a home kit.
| Product | Best for | Colors | Thread | Spool length | Our score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| brothread 40 Color Thread Kit | new embroiderers | 40 | Polyester, 40 wt | 500 m | 8.8 |
| Simthread 63 Color Thread Kit | varied designs | 63 | Polyester, 40 wt | 500 m | 8.7 |
| brothread 80 Spool Thread Kit | Janome designs | 80 spools, including 2 white and 2 black | Polyester, 40 wt | 500 m | 8.5 |
| brothread 40 Color Kit With Storage Box | portable storage | 40 | Polyester, 40 wt | 8.3 | |
| brothread 63 Color Thread Kit | Brother charts | 63 | Polyester, 40 wt | 500 m | 8.2 |
| 40 Spool Polyester Thread Kit | color-card matching | 40 | Polyester, 40 wt | 500 m | 8.0 |
| Poolin 80 Color Thread Kit | repeat projects | 80 | Polyester, 40 wt | 800 m | 7.9 |
| Simthread 120 Madeira Color Kit | variegated shades | 120 | Polyester, 40 wt | 500 m | 7.8 |
| brothread 20 Color Metallic Kit | shiny accents | 20 metallic colors | Metallic with polyester core, 40 wt | 500 m | 7.2 |
brothread 40 Color Thread Kit: Best for new embroiderers
- 40 polyester colors
- 40 wt
- 500 m per spool
- Color chart with Brother color matches
A manageable color range, standard 40 wt thread and a color chart make this a practical starting kit for many home projects.
Pros
- Color chart helps match Brother color numbers
- 500 m per spool
- Polyester thread
Cons
- No wood rack included
This 40-color kit is the most balanced starting choice if you want variety without managing a very large collection. Each spool holds 500 m of 40 wt polyester thread, and the color chart helps you match Brother color numbers.
New brothread also includes a Madeira conversion chart. Use conversions as a planning aid, then compare a stitched sample when a close match matters because chart colors and thread can appear different.
Polyester suits everyday projects, including items that will be washed. New brothread says its thread holds color through commercial laundering and bleaching, though the fabric's care directions still apply to the finished piece.
Choose this if you want one general-purpose palette for learning and varied home designs. Skip it if you need a dedicated storage case; this kit doesn't include a wood rack.
Simthread 63 Color Thread Kit: Best for varied designs
- 63 polyester colors
- 40 wt
- 500 m per spool
- Brother color numbers and conversion chart
This set adds more color options than a 40-color kit while keeping the familiar 40 wt and 500 m format.
Pros
- 63 colors
- Brother color numbers on spools
- Conversion chart for Madeira colors
Cons
- More spools to organize
Simthread's 63-color kit suits beginners whose designs use more shades than a compact starter range provides. The spools carry Brother color numbers, and the included chart also gives Madeira conversions.
Simthread describes its thread as trilobal polyester, which it says adds sheen and vivid color. Those properties make it appealing for designs where thread finish matters, while a chart remains a guide rather than a promise of an exact screen-to-thread match.
The larger palette means more choices and more sorting. Simthread says the package may include a bonus such as stabilizer, bobbins or thread nets, selected at random, so treat those extras as a possible addition rather than a reason to choose the kit.
Pick it when you want color breadth and Brother references in one set. Skip it if a smaller selection would cover your planned projects and be easier to keep organized.
Our sticky stabilizer guide can help with backing for items that are hard to hoop.
brothread 80 Spool Thread Kit: Best for Janome designs
- 80 spools
- 40 wt
- 500 m per spool
- Janome and Robison-Anton color references
A larger palette with color references for Janome and Robison-Anton designs suits beginners who already know they want many shades.
Pros
- 80 spools
- Color chart references Janome and Robison-Anton colors
- 500 m per spool
Cons
- No wood rack included
This 80-spool set is a better fit when you expect to stitch designs with many colors and use Janome or Robison-Anton color references. It includes two white spools and two black spools alongside the other shades.
Each spool has 500 m of 40 wt polyester thread. That gives you the same familiar thread format as the smaller kits, with a larger palette to support frequent color changes.
A broad collection takes more room and may leave you with colors you rarely need. There is no wood rack, so keep the color chart with the spools and decide where the set will live before opening it.
Choose it if its color references fit your designs and you want many options in one set. If you use Brother references, the 63-color brothread kit later in this roundup is a closer match.
brothread 40 Color Kit With Storage Box: Best for portable storage
- 40 polyester colors
- Two-layer clear storage box
- 500 m per spool
- Thread nets and yarn snips included
The included clear box keeps the 40 spools together and makes colors visible, with small sewing supplies fitting in the lid compartment.
Pros
- Two-layer stackable box
- Color chart included
- Thread nets and yarn snips included
Cons
- Box takes more shelf space than a simple carton
This version is for people who want the thread organized as part of the purchase. It has 40 polyester colors, and its clear two-layer box holds the spools upright on plastic pins.
Thread nets, yarn snips and a color chart are also included. A compartment in the lid can hold small sewing supplies such as needles, scissors, pins or bobbins, while the clear sides make it easier to spot the color you need.
The 40-color range is manageable for a first collection, and the box stacks and locks its two layers together. It will take more shelf space than a simple carton, so consider your work area before choosing it.
Pick this set if loose spools are likely to slow you down or if you want to carry supplies to a class. Skip it if you already have a storage system and prefer a smaller package.
If you are new to the machine too, read our first-time embroidery machine guide.
brothread 63 Color Thread Kit: Best for Brother charts
- 63 polyester colors
- 40 wt
- 500 m per spool
- Brother color chart and Madeira conversion chart
Choose this when you want more shades than a 40-color set and use Brother color numbers to plan designs.
Pros
- 63 colors
- Brother color chart
- 500 m per spool
Cons
- No wood rack included
This 63-color brothread kit gives Brother users more shades than the 40-color set while keeping the same 40 wt, 500 m spool format. Its Brother color chart and Madeira conversion chart help connect the colors to design references.
Use the chart to narrow down a shade, then stitch a sample if the color needs to match another part of a project closely. That small check is useful with any conversion system because digital previews and printed charts can differ from the thread in your hand.
The larger range works well for varied designs, but it needs more storage and sorting than a 40-color kit. No wood rack is included.
Choose this when Brother color references and a broader palette are both priorities. Skip it if you are still learning which colors you use and want fewer spools to manage.
40 Spool Polyester Thread Kit: Best for color-card matching
- 40 polyester spools
- 40 wt
- 500 m per spool
- Color card with numbers and names
This straightforward 40-color option includes a color card for matching thread by number and name.
Pros
- Clear color card
- 500 m per spool
- Machine-washable thread
Cons
- No wood rack included
This simple 40-spool set uses 40 wt polyester thread and includes a color card with names and numbers. The card gives you a direct reference for choosing a shade and finding it again later.
New brothread says this thread can be machine washed and ironed. It also describes the polyester as having lower risks of breaking or fraying, though needle condition, threading and tension still affect how a machine stitches.
The set arrives in a cardboard box and doesn't include a wood rack or a larger storage case. That makes it a fit for a basic starter palette if you already have a drawer or organizer for supplies.
Choose it if you want a straightforward 40-color collection with a clear card. Skip it if you want a carry case or a chart tied to a particular machine brand's color numbers.
Poolin 80 Color Thread Kit: Best for repeat projects
- 80 polyester colors
- 40 wt
- 800 m per spool
- Pantone color reference
The 800 m spools offer more thread per color than the 500 m kits, and the set includes a Pantone reference for color selection.
Pros
- 80 colors
- 800 m per spool
- Pantone color reference
Cons
- More colors and longer spools may be more than a new hobby needs
Poolin's 80-color set is the pick for buyers who expect to repeat projects and want more thread on each spool. It has 800 m per spool, 40 wt polyester and a Pantone color reference.
Poolin describes the thread as suited to single-needle home embroidery machines, including Brother, Janome, Baby Lock, Bernina and Singer. The brand also says the thread is designed for low breakage and that colors stay bright after repeated washing.
The longer spools and wide palette are useful if you stitch often or return to the same colors. For occasional practice, an 80-color kit may demand more storage and choice than your projects need.
Pick it when both spool length and range matter. Skip it if you want a compact starter set or rely on a color system other than Pantone for matching.
Simthread 120 Madeira Color Kit: Best for variegated shades
- 120 colors, including 107 plain and 13 variegated
- 40 wt
- 500 m per spool
- Madeira and Robison-Anton conversion chart
A 120-color palette gives you many shades to choose from, including variegated thread, but it calls for more storage and sorting.
Pros
- 120 colors
- 13 variegated spools
- Conversion chart included
Cons
- A large set can be harder to organize
Simthread's 120-color set suits a beginner who already knows that a broad palette will get used. It includes 107 plain colors and 13 variegated colors, with 500 m on each spool.
The conversion chart references Madeira and Robison-Anton colors. Simthread notes that conversions may not be exact, so treat the chart as a way to find a likely shade and stitch a sample when a precise match is important.
A 120-spool collection needs a real organizing plan. It may be useful for varied projects and frequent color changes, but beginners who are still learning their preferences can avoid unused shades by starting smaller and adding colors over time.
Choose it if you have space and want both solid and variegated options. Skip it if you prefer a small, easy-to-scan collection.
brothread 20 Color Metallic Kit: Best for shiny accents
- 20 metallic colors
- 40 wt
- 500 m per spool
- Thread nets included
This specialty set adds shine for decorative designs, but metallic thread needs more careful setup than standard polyester.
Pros
- 20 shiny colors
- Thread nets can help manage tangling
- Suitable for decorative projects
Cons
- New brothread recommends a topstitch needle and slower speed
This metallic set is for adding shine to decorative embroidery, not for replacing a beginner's everyday polyester thread. It contains 20 metallic colors, each with a polyester core coated in metal foil.
New brothread recommends a large-eye topstitch needle, such as size 80/12 or 90/14, and a stitch speed of 600 stitches per minute or lower. If the thread tangles, the brand suggests using the included thread net and adjusting tension until the thread pulls smoothly.
Metallic thread is more demanding to set up, so begin with a scrap of the same fabric and stabilizer. The brand recommends gentle washing below 95°C for no more than 15 minutes and avoiding dry friction for projects using this thread.
Choose it for shiny accents on emblems, uniforms or decorative pieces. Skip it as your only starter thread, or if you want a simple setup for learning basic embroidery.
How should you choose machine embroidery thread for a home machine?
Start with the thread weight and material your machine manual recommends, then choose the palette and spool size that fit your projects. The general-purpose sets here use 40 wt polyester, a common format for home machine embroidery.
Next, check how the set identifies its colors. Brother, Janome, Madeira, Robison-Anton and Pantone references can help you find a close shade, but conversion charts don't make different thread ranges identical.
If an exact match matters, stitch a small sample and compare it under the light where the finished item will be used.
Finally, decide how you will store the spools. A 40-color range is easier to scan and sort, while 63-, 80- and 120-color kits offer more choice at the cost of more space and organization.
Is polyester or metallic thread better for a first project?
Polyester is the easier first choice for most beginners because the general-purpose kits use it and require no special metallic-thread setup. It's a practical option for learning color changes and stitching everyday designs.
Metallic thread creates a reflective effect, but it may need a large-eye needle, slower speed and tension adjustments. Build confidence with standard thread first, then try metallic thread on a fabric scrap before using it on a finished item.
How do you set up a new machine embroidery thread?
Read your machine manual before threading, then use a suitable embroidery needle in good condition and follow the machine's threading path. Place the spool so thread feeds freely, and check that it isn't caught under a cap or rubbing against another spool.
Use the right stabilizer for the fabric and design, and hoop the fabric and backing smoothly without stretching them. Thread the bobbin as directed by the manual, then stitch a short sample using the same fabric, stabilizer and design settings as the finished project.
For metallic thread, New brothread's instructions call for a large-eye topstitch needle and a speed no higher than 600 stitches per minute. If it tangles, add a thread net and adjust tension until the thread pulls smoothly.
What common thread mistakes can beginners avoid?
Choosing a color from a screen alone can lead to a visible mismatch. Use the color chart to narrow down options, and make a sample when the shade needs to coordinate with a garment, logo or other stitched area.
Changing several settings at once makes stitch problems harder to solve. If thread breaks, loops or puckers, check the needle, threading path, spool feed, tension and stabilizer one at a time, and consult your machine manual before changing settings beyond its guidance.
Don't assume every thread behaves the same. Standard polyester is the straightforward choice for practice, while metallic thread calls for its own needle and speed adjustments.
How should you store and care for embroidery thread?
Keep the spools and their color chart together so you can identify shades again. A clear case can make selection easier, while separate bins or a drawer can work if you label and sort the colors consistently.
For finished projects, follow the care directions for the fabric and garment. New brothread describes its polyester thread as colorfast through commercial laundering and bleaching, but the fabric, stabilizer and other materials in a finished piece also affect how it should be washed.
Our embroidery bobbin thread guide explains how to choose the lower thread. For machine upkeep that can affect stitch quality, see our embroidery machine care guide.
Which machine embroidery thread set should you buy?
Choose the New brothread 40-color kit for a balanced first palette, the 40-color storage-box kit if keeping tools together matters, or Simthread's 63-color set when you want more shades and Brother references. Pick the 80- or 120-color kits when your designs use the extra range and you have room to organize it.
If you expect to repeat designs, Poolin's 800 m spools provide more thread per color. Save the metallic set for decorative work after you have a standard polyester thread, suitable needle and stable setup.
Our top 3 picks at a glance
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Frequently asked questions
What machine embroidery thread should a beginner buy?
Start with polyester machine embroidery thread in 40 wt and a color range that suits your first projects. A 40-color kit gives you room to learn color changes without making you sort through a very large palette.
Check the set's color chart against the color system used by your designs.
Is polyester thread good for machine embroidery?
Polyester thread is a practical choice for many machine embroidery projects, and the general-purpose sets here use 40 wt polyester. New brothread says its polyester thread holds color through laundering and bleaching, while Simthread describes its thread as resistant to fading in daily use.
Follow care instructions for the fabric and finished item, especially when color matching matters.
Should beginners buy 40, 63 or 80 colors?
A 40-color set is a sensible start if you are learning which shades you use most. Choose 63 or 80 colors when your designs call for more options and you have a way to organize the extra spools.
A larger count doesn't replace matching thread to the design.
Can I use metallic embroidery thread as a beginner?
You can, but metallic thread may need adjustments that standard polyester does not. New brothread recommends a large-eye topstitch needle, a thread net if tangling occurs, adjusted tension and a stitch speed of 600 or lower.
Practice on a scrap before stitching a finished item.
Do I need bobbin thread as well as embroidery thread?
Yes. The top thread and bobbin thread serve different roles during machine embroidery, so choose bobbin thread that suits your machine and design.
Read our embroidery bobbin thread guide for help deciding what to use, then follow your machine manual for threading and tension.
