How to select silk thread for making Ronghua(velvet flowers)

When making velvet flowers, choosing the right silk thread is very important. Generally, we use natural silk threads made from silkworm cocoons. We can also use artificial high-gloss silk threads and ordinary velvet threads. However, artificial silk threads can only be used to make flat styles, not fluffy styles. Artificial high-gloss silk threads tend to slip when tied with copper wire, and the finished product is prone to frizz. The products made with ordinary artificial velvet threads are too heavy and lack luster.Therefore, it is not recommended to use artificial silk threads.

Common natural silk threads on the market include Hunan embroidery thread, Suzhou embroidery thread, untwisted silk thread, thickened untwisted silk thread, fine untwisted, Suzhou untwisted, raw silk, and tight twisted silk thread, etc. Among them, Hunan embroidery thread, thickened untwisted thread, and untwisted thread are the most commonly used silk threads for making Ronghua(velvet flowers).

Hunan embroidery thread is suitable for making flat ironed styles. Its advantage lies in its rich color, thicker thread, and convenient and fast use. However, the disadvantage is that the velvet feel is poor and it is not suitable for velvet styles.

Thickened untwisted thread has 48 strands, 60 strands, 64 strands, and 65 strands, etc., which vary from factory to factory. This is an improved version of single untwisted, suitable for velvet styles, but not suitable for flat styles.

Compared with Hunan embroidery thread, the thread marks are heavier after flattening, the transition is uneven, the color is less, and sometimes you need to dye it yourself. It is easy to slip when cutting, and the requirements for scissors are higher. But its advantages are good gloss, good velvet feel, thicker thread, time-saving and labor-saving.

Fine untwisted, also called zero twist or single untwisted, although it is not easy to split the thread, it is better to comb the velvet. And Suzhou untwisted, although it is easy to split, it is not easy to comb the velvet, so it is not recommended for use.

Untwisted is a direct improvement of single untwisted, 32 strands. Raw silk is raw silkworm silk that has not been degummed. The texture is harder and is usually used to make velvet balls or birds and beasts. It can also be used to make doll hair. Compared with synthetic silk thread, its texture is better.

Suzhou embroidery thread has richer colors, better velvet feel, and more delicate, but it is not easy to split the thread, time-consuming and laborious, so it is not recommended for use. And tight twisted silk thread, it is not recommended for making Ronghua(velvet flowers), it is usually used to make twisted flowers, the twisted flowers made will have a water ripple texture.

In general, when choosing silk thread, you need to decide based on the style of the velvet flower you are making and your personal operating habits. I hope this information can help you choose the silk thread better and make satisfactory Ronghua(velvet flowers).