Light Effects in Hand Embroidery

Modern embroidery uses DMC Light Effects for sparkle in stars, moons, crowns, jewels, lettering and outlines: 6-strand, 8 m, E-coded metallic floss. Gold E3852, silver E168, copper E301 and pearlescent tones are the favourites. This category holds the Light Effects colours for embroidery; the effect families, colour card and full guide are in DMC Light Effects. For a softer shimmer see DMC Etoile, for edges and couching DMC Diamant.

Stitch, Strands and Needle

Stem stitch, flat satin stitch, chain and French knots sparkle cleanly with 1–2 strands; use 2–3 in satin fill and 1 strand scattered over floss. Choose a size 5–7 sharp large-eye embroidery needle, cut 30 cm, separate and recombine the strands and knot the thread in the eye. Lay stitches flat, do not pull tight and stitch metallic areas last. One 8 m skein covers all the accents of a small hoop panel.