multicolored overlocker thread

Sripy thread! I mean it: the thread is dyed in stripes. I don't have any serger threads dyed like this (expensive, and I haven't needed any yet), but I do have lots of machine embroidery threads like this, and quilting threads.

You can buy multicoloured thread. I've never seen multicoloured regular sewing thread but you can certainly buy wooly nylon and heavy topstitching-type thread.

Sally

So, I could take a plain white cone, drip some dye on it in stripes, let it dry, and go to town? Not that I want to, but it's fun to think about.

--Karen M.

This is called variegated thread, or at least the regular multicolor sewing thread is.

Fascinating idea! Sounds like fun... (Where's that extra cone of white serger thread???)

Jean M.

No, because the thread's wound so tightly on the cone that the dye would only get to the top few layers. If you want to hand-dye thread you have to do the same as if you want to hand-dye yarn or embroidery floss: you wind it into a hank and tie it with figure-of-eight ties in a few places (not tightly, or the ties will stop the dye spreading). Then you lay it on a piece of plastic and dye it. After the dye has fixed you rinse it, wash it, dry it and re-wind it onto cones.

It's fun but not as easy as you hoped :-(

Also, you'd have to be careful about the thread you tried to dye: polyester doesn't take dye so you'd have to use cotton or silk.

If you want to have a go, email me. I'd be happy to make another convert to dyeing :-)

Sally