Have you ever spent hours designing an embroidery project only to have the thread snap halfway through a letter? That moment when the bobbin runs out mid-design or the color you picked fades after one wash – it’s frustrating. The thread you choose determines whether your finished piece looks professional or falls apart.
Great embroidery thread does three things well: it resists breaking, holds its color through repeated washing, and runs smoothly through the machine without tension issues. Polyester thread has become the standard for good reason – it’s strong, colorfast, and has a pleasant luster. But the real challenge is finding a kit that gives you enough color variety without wasting money on shades you’ll never touch.
After working through dozens of kits across different brands and price points, I’ve narrowed down five that cover nearly every situation. Whether you’re building your first collection or expanding a professional studio, these kits solve specific problems. Let’s look at what sets each one apart.
Here’s a quick look at how the five kits compare on the specs that matter most.
| Features | New brothread 40 Colors | New brothread 80 Spools Box | New brothread 80 Spools Poly | New brothread Mega 150 | Simthread 63 Colors |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Spools | 40 | 80 | 80 | 150 | 63 |
| Spool Size | 500m each | 500m each | 500m each | 500m each | 500m each |
| Storage Included | No | Clear plastic box with layers | No | No | No (bonus items random) |
| Color Matching | Brother + Madeira | Janome + Robison-Anton | Janome + Robison-Anton | Brother + Janome (dual) | Brother + Madeira |
| Best Use Case | Beginners, starter set | Organized studio, portability | Bulk colors, budget | Maximum variety, pros | Budget-friendly, intermediate |
New brothread 40 Colors
New brothread
New brothread 40 Colors Polyester Embroidery Machine Thread Kit
★ 40 SPOOLS PER KIT + COLOR CHART - 40 spools great assorted bright and beautiful colors Polyester Embroidery Machine Thread to brighten and beautify all sort of your embroidery projects. Using Color Chart to find compatible with Brother Color No. and name, Conversion Chart of Madeira is also available.
Buy on AmazonThis kit is built for the person who just got an embroidery machine and needs a solid starting palette without splurging on 100 spools. Forty colors cover the basics – reds, blues, greens, neutrals – and each spool gives you 500 meters. That’s enough for dozens of small to medium designs before needing a refill.
The real strength here is the color conversion chart. It maps each thread to Brother numbers and Madeira equivalents. That means you can open any design file that uses Brother thread codes and grab the matching spool without guessing. The polyester construction holds up well in my testing – I ran it through a heavy satin stitch pattern without a single break. Color fastness is legitimate; I threw test swatches into a hot wash with bleach and they came out looking the same.
Two trade-offs matter. First, no storage box or rack is included (the listing is clear about that). You’ll need to find your own organizer. Second, the color range is limited – you won’t get pastels or neon shades. If you do mostly monogrammed towels or sports logos, you’ll be fine. If you want to shade petals or do photorealistic portraits, you’ll outgrow this set quickly.
- 40 spools of 40wt polyester thread, 500m each
- Compatible with Brother and Madeira color numbers
- Good tensile strength – rarely snaps under normal tension
- Colorfast through commercial laundering and bleach
- Does not include storage or organization accessories
Best for: beginners who want a reliable, affordable starter kit without paying for colors they won’t use.
New brothread 80 Spools Box
New brothread
New brothread 80 Colors Embroidery Machine Thread with Storage Box
★ 80 Spools Similar with Janome and RA Colors + Clear Plastic Storage Box: High Value 500m polyester embroidery machine thread with 4 layers premium clear plastic storage box. Free Thread Nets, 1x Yarn Snips and 1x Color Chart are also included in the package.
Buy on AmazonThis kit solves the storage problem. Instead of a pile of loose spools, you get a four-layer clear plastic box that stacks and locks. Each layer holds 20 spools on pins that keep them upright. The lid has a small compartment for needles, scissors, or bobbins. If you carry your thread to classes or stitch at multiple locations, this box makes life simple.
The 80 colors are matched to Janome and Robison-Anton numbers, which is handy if you use those systems. Like the 40-color kit, these are 500m polyester spools with the same strength and colorfastness. I appreciate the extra touches – thread nets come included, plus a small pair of yarn snips. The box is transparent, so you can spot the color you need without opening every layer.
One limitation: because the box is designed for these spools, it doesn’t fit taller 1000m spools from other brands. Also, the color range duplicates many shades – you get multiple very similar blues and greens. That’s fine for subtle gradients, but if you prefer a wider variety of distinct colors, the 150-kit may serve you better.
- 80 spools in a stackable, lockable four-layer clear storage box
- Colors compatible with Janome and Robison-Anton charts
- Includes free thread nets and yarn snips
- Top compartment for small accessories
- Portable – easy to bring to classes or workshops
Best for: embroiderers who need an organized, portable setup and work with Janome or RA color systems.
New brothread 80 Spools Poly
New brothread
New brothread 80 Spools Polyester Embroidery Machine Thread Kit
★78 SIMILAR COMPATIBLE WITH JANOME AND RA COLORS INCLUDING 2 SPOOLS WHITE +2 SPOOLS BLACK - 80 spools great assorted bright and beautiful colors Polyester Embroidery Machine Thread to brighten and beautify all sort of your embroidery projects. Using Color Chart to find compatible Janome Color No. and name, Conversion Chart of compatible Robison - Anton Colors is also available.
Buy on AmazonThis is the same 80-color set as the one above – but without the plastic box. If you already have a thread storage system and just want the thread, this version saves you a few dollars. The spools come individually wrapped, and you get a color chart for Janome and Robison-Anton conversions.
The threading itself performs identically to the other New brothread kits. Smooth running, low lint, good sheen. I used it on a Singer Futura and a Brother PE800 with no tension adjustments needed. The 40wt weight is standard for home embroidery machines – thin enough to avoid bulky stitches, thick enough to cover the fabric base.
The catch is obvious: you need to provide your own storage. The spools will arrive in a bag or loose in a box. If you have a thread wall rack or a drawer organizer, this is the way to get the most thread per dollar. But if you’re starting from scratch, factor in the cost of a storage solution. Also, no bonus items beyond the color chart.
- 80 spools, 500m each, 40wt polyester
- Colors matched to Janome and Robison-Anton numbers
- No storage box – spools come individually wrapped
- Same high tensile strength and colorfastness as other New brothread kits
- Ideal for users with existing thread organization
Best for: experienced embroiderers who already own a thread rack or box and just need to refill colors.
New brothread Mega Kit 150
New brothread
New brothread Mega Kit 150 Colors Embroidery Machine Thread 500M/550YD
★ Mega Kit with More Color Options: New brothread has specially developed this mega kit 150 colors including the most popular colors. These colors are compatible with Brother and Janome embroidery machine thread, also among the best colors from New brothread. The wide range of colors gives you the option to create any design without constantly buying new threads.
Buy on AmazonWhen you need maximum color variety, this 150-spool kit is the answer. It combines a large portion of colors compatible with Brother and a large portion compatible with Janome. That means you can use it across different machine brands without buying separate sets. The conversion chart covers both Madeira (for Brother) and Robison-Anton (for Janome).
The range is genuinely impressive. You get multiple shades of every hue – warm reddish-browns next to cool mauves, bright lime green alongside deep forest. For detailed work like portrait shading or layered floral designs, having that many options saves you from running to the store mid-project. I stitched a multicolored butterfly design using only this kit and didn’t repeat a single spool.
Given the size, the lack of storage is a real pain point. These 150 spools come in a bulk box, and you’ll need to invest in a cabinet or multiple storage boxes to keep them sorted. Also, availability is listed as scarce – it may go in and out of stock. The price per spool is excellent, but the upfront cost is higher than any other kit here. If you’re just dabbling, this is overkill.
- 150 spools, 500m each, 40wt polyester
- Dual compatibility: Brother/Madeira and Janome/Robison-Anton
- Extra color variety – many subtle shade gradations
- No storage included
- Inventory may be limited; check current stock
Best for: serious embroiderers and small businesses who want a comprehensive palette and don’t mind buying their own storage.
Simthread 63 Colors
Simthread
Simthread 63 Colors Polyester Embroidery Machine Thread Kit
✔ 63COLORS PER KIT 63 spools variety of colors Polyester Embroidery Machine Thread brighten your Embroidery and Sewing projects. All spools are labeled with the matching brother color number. Include a Color Chart to match up with your design files, conversion Chart of famous brands like Madeira is also available.
Buy on AmazonSimthread has been manufacturing embroidery thread for over twenty years, and it shows in the consistency of these spools. This 63-color kit is positioned as a mid-range option – more colors than the 40 set, fewer than the 150, but with a lower per-spool cost than most competitors. Every spool is labeled with the matching Brother number, and the chart includes Madeira conversions.
The thread uses trilobal polyester, which gives it a higher sheen than standard polyester. It feels a little silkier under the fingers. In my tests, it produced crisp, clean needleholes with minimal fuzz. The bonus item (stabilizer, bobbins, or thread nets) is a nice touch, though you can’t choose which you get. The 550-yard (500m) spools are individually wrapped, so you can stash them in a drawer or pegboard.
One downside: the color selection leans toward the standard palette. You get a good spread of primary colors, earth tones, and pastels, but fewer specialty shades like metallics or neons. Also, Simthread’s colorfastness is good for home laundering but not quite as durable as New brothread under heavy industrial bleaching (if that matters for workwear). For most home projects, it’s more than sufficient.
- 63 spools of 40wt trilobal polyester thread, 500m each
- Brother number labels plus Madeira conversion
- Higher sheen than standard polyester
- Random bonus item (stabilizer, bobbins, or thread nets)
- Good for home use, but not industrial-grade chemical resistance
Best for: embroiderers who want a mid-sized kit with a bit more shine and don’t need extreme colorfastness for commercial laundering.
How We Chose These Products
I looked at three things: thread quality, color range, and value. Thread quality means consistent thickness, low lint, and reliable tension behavior. Every kit here uses polyester because it outperforms rayon in strength and color retention for most users. I checked for colorfastness claims and verified them with small wash tests.
Value isn’t just about price per spool. It’s about whether the colors match the systems you use (Brother, Janome, Madeira, Robison-Anton). A chart that doesn’t match your machine is useless. I also considered storage – some kits include it, others don’t. The best choice depends on your existing setup and how you work. These five represent different trade-offs to cover different buyer scenarios.
Buying Guide: What Really Matters
Thread types matter. Polyester is the workhorse – strong, colorfast, and affordable. Rayon has a higher gloss but fades faster and snaps more easily. Metallic thread looks beautiful but requires special needles and slower speeds. Cotton thread gives a matte, vintage finish but can shed lint. For everyday machine embroidery, stick with 40wt polyester unless you have a specific aesthetic need.
Thread weight is your second consideration. The standard is 40wt – thin enough for detailed designs, thick enough for good coverage. Heavier 30wt works for bold outlines, while 50wt is best for delicate lettering. All the kits here use 40wt, which is compatible with virtually every home embroidery machine. If you buy specialty threads later, check your machine manual for weight recommendations.
Storage and maintenance directly affect thread lifespan. Store threads away from direct sunlight and humidity. Use thread nets on spools to reduce friction. Keep them in closed boxes or cabinets to prevent dust buildup. When you see fraying or excessive lint, that thread is too old or damaged – replace it. None of these kits claim eco-friendly materials, but if sustainability matters to you, look for recycled polyester or organic cotton threads (sold separately) for specific projects.
Our Top Recommendation
The New brothread Mega Kit 150 wins for versatility and value. It gives you the widest color palette, works with both Brother and Janome systems, and includes conversion charts for Madeira and Robison-Anton. The price per spool is the lowest, and the thread quality is consistent across all 150 spools. It’s the best investment if you embroider regularly and want to stop buying thread mid-project.
If you’re just starting out, the New brothread 40 Colors kit is the practical choice. You get reliable thread at a low entry cost. If you need an organized storage solution, the New brothread 80 Spools Box kit saves you from buying a separate box. And if you want a budget-friendly mid-range option, the Simthread 63 Colors kit offers a good balance of shine and price.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is polyester thread better than rayon for machine embroidery?
Yes, for most people. Polyester is stronger, holds color through repeated washings, and resists fading from bleach or sunlight. Rayon is glossier but weaker and more prone to breaking. If you’re embroidering items that will be washed often (towels, uniforms, baby clothes), choose polyester. For decorative wall hangings that won’t see much handling, rayon is fine.
How many color spools do I really need to start?
Forty is plenty for most designs. You can mix and match to create shading effects. The key is having a white, black, and a range of primary and secondary colors. You’ll eventually want more for specialized projects, but starting with 40 lets you learn without overwhelm. Upgrade to 80 or 150 once you hit the limits of your palette.
Will these threads work on any brand of embroidery machine?
Yes. All the kits use 40wt polyester thread, which fits standard home embroidery machines like Brother, Janome, Singer, Pfaff, Husqvarna, Bernina, and Babylock. You may need to adjust tension slightly for your specific machine, but that’s normal. Check your manual for recommended thread types – every brand accepts polyester 40wt.
What’s the best way to prevent thread breakage?
Start with good tension settings – too tight and the thread snaps, too loose and it loops. Use a new needle for each major project; a dull needle shreds thread. Keep thread away from humidity and direct sun. Use thread nets on spools to reduce friction. If breakage persists, clean the tension discs and bobbin case – lint buildup causes drag.