Night lights and festivities like Halloween and Christmas always go together. So, if you are thinking of glow-in-the-dark threads to add a fun or spooky element to your costumes, garments, gifts, or decor, you are spot on.
But which is the best glow-in-the-dark thread? The best glow-in-the-dark thread is the one that has a high lumen intensity and whose glow lasts through rigorous washes.
Keep reading for guidance on how to choose these magical threads. We also review the best glow-in-the-dark threads to make all your ideas for after-dark truly come to life.
How To Choose The Best Glow In The Dark Thread
Choosing thread isn’t one of those things you ponder over so much, especially if you’ve been doing needlework for a while. But if you’ve never used the glow-in-the-dark thread before, you may want to take your time.
Glow-in-the-dark threads are somewhat finicky to work with. Regardless of your skill level, the thread may surprise you in some not-so-nice ways.
That is why you must consider a few factors when shopping for the glow-in-the-dark thread.
Thread Weight
Consider the weight of the thread before making a purchase. Glow-in-the-dark threads come in various weights for the diverse thread arts.
30w-40w is the most common weight for a glow-in-the-dark thread. This is the weight of a standard machine embroidery thread.
It is popular probably because glow-in-the-dark thread shows best when densely stitched, which is what embroidery is all about.
Still, you can double the thread or choose other weights suitable for needlepoint, cross stitching, applique borders, braiding bracelets, and knitting and crocheting.
Machine Compatibility
Not all glow-in-the-dark threads run smoothly with every sewing machine. Your machine may love one brand and hate another.
So, unless you’ll only be undertaking hand stitched projects, you want to check whether the thread is machine friendly to the specific model you have.
Manufacturers have already done some testing on their threads and could have this information on the label or website. But generally, machines that can be set to a slow pace face little problems with glow-in-the-dark thread.
In addition, you must also have the correct type of needle for the thread.
The typical glow-in-the-dark thread for machine embroidery is slightly heavier than regular thread. Therefore it requires a large eye needle or a metallic needle.
Brightness Level And Duration
The lumen intensity is a critical consideration when buying glow-in-the-dark thread. The spool or skein will be an utter disappointment if the thread doesn’t glow as bright as it is acceptable.
Some do not glow at all -beware of fluorescent/neon threads labeled “glow.” The thread must contain phosphors which are energy-absorbing and light-releasing specks to emit a glow when lights go out.
Ensure the thread has intense brightness when fully charged. Also, check what quality of light and amount of exposure is adequate for a magnificent glow.
If you want to ask know how long glow in the dark thread lasts, the answer is product specific. It could be anything between a few minutes to a few hours.
Just ensure the exposure to the charging light is direct and the rays are intense. You can amp up the duration and intensity of the glow by using a blacklight.
A UV torch also comes in handy for a quick recharge, literally anywhere and anytime.
Conditioning
The central pain point when sewing with glow-in-the-dark thread is its textured feel. If you’ve worked with metallic threads before, the experience is quite similar.
Some frustrations include thread breakage and shredding due to the stiff, dry texture of the glow-in-the-dark thread that builds up friction. But this should not water down your excitement and interest in having fun with it.
All threads are not created equal, and the process, fibers, dyes, and other constituents determine how strong yet flexible the thread will be.
It would help if you only went for a good quality glow-in-the-dark thread that is well-conditioned. This will be silkier, softer, and more pliable than the ordinary ones.
But we recommend to always have a sewer aid so that texture isn’t a deal breaker. A sewer aid helps lubricate the thread for a smooth flow.
Color Selection
Lastly, consider the colors the thread is available in. Some glow-in-the-dark threads appear white under normal light but glow when it is dark. Others are colored to still look fabulous in the daylight and will then glow in the darkness.
It is typical for glow-in-the-dark colors to have a greenish hue in the glow regardless of the color. A Green glow is the most prominent glow and options here are extremely limited.
A few brands carry multiple tones like white, yellow, blue, orange, and pink if you want to play around with colors for a busy day look. The ultimate glow however is usually green for most colors or orange for those with warm tones.
The Best Glow In The Dark Threads
Without further Ado, these are our top picks for the most incredible glow effects.
Rank | Product | Key Features |
---|---|---|
1. | JubileeYarn Bamboo Cotton Blend | 50-50 cotton-bamboo blend, sport weight |
2. | Lion Brand Yarn Wool-Ease | 80% acrylic 20% wool, worsted weight |
3. | Bernat Pop! Blue Blaze | Acrylic, worsted weight |
4. | Lion Brand Yarn Heartland Yarn | Acrylic, worsted weight |
5. | Caron One Pound Solids Yarn | Acrylic, worsted weight |
1. New brothread Glow in The Dark Embroidery Machine Thread Kit
Our first pick is the New Brothread glow-in-the-dark embroidery machine thread. If you have been sewing for a while, you are probably familiar with this wonderful brand of thread.
This particular set has 8 spools of glow-in-the-dark threads in 8 different colors. We love this thread because it is made from skin-friendly polyester and is non toxic and safe to use even for kids wear.
The thread is lightweight yet strong and durable. It has a great glow, and the color selection is amazing.
Rated at 30w, this glow-in-the-dark thread is suitable for machine embroidery. Even if you choose to do other types of machine stitching, you can be sure it won’t break unnecessarily.
Each spool is 550 yards long and 4400 yards in total, which is ample thread for multiple sizable projects. Besides, you have the option of playing around with colors, so there’s pretty much enough thread for anything.
The 8 colors are not too soft and are vivid even in daylight. We have pastels -pink, blue, green and purple, neon, white, and cream
All the colors mostly produce various intensities of a green glow, except for pink, which has an orange glow. The lighter colors like white and cream plus blue glow the brightest.
Another amazing thing about this thread is that the glow lasts for about 3 hrs if it charged for about 20 minutes in sunlight or artificial light. You can enjoy a long-lasting glow for a good part of the night without frequent recharging.
The Brothread glow-in-the-dark 6-piece thread kit offers you great value for money. As long as you charge the thread well and avoid heat and bleach while washing, your stitches will be glowing year-round.
2. Simthread Glow in The Dark Thread
In second place is the Slimthread (long glow duration) glow-in-the-dark thread.
True to its title, this thread can glow for anything between 3 to 8 hours. That eliminates time spent recharging in one night, so you can actually concentrate on the fun.
It requires only 20 minutes of sunlight or artificial light to activate and give a consistent glow.
This thread comes in a set of 6 different colors, which are mostly pastel and white. The colors do not appear too subdued during the day and produce a fantastic greenish glow in the dark.
There are 1000 yards of thread on each spool, giving you a total of 6000 yards.
Slimthread glow-in-the-dark thread is made from 100% Polyester and is machine washable. You do not lose the glow by washing it.
The thread is designed for embroidery machines and is compatible with many popular brands like Babylock, Janome, Singer, Husqvarna, and Bernina, to mention a few. It is suitable for regular sewing and quilting too.
3. Neomark Glow in The Dark Embroidery Thread
Another option to consider is the Neomark 5 colors set of glow-in-the-dark thread. If you want something affordable with an amazing glow to start with, you might want to try it.
There are five colors, including orange, pink, white, green, and blue, and they all glow green except pink. White produces the best glow, while blue has the least intense light.
Each thread color is 500 yards long and made from high-quality polyester that is machine-washable and fade-resistant.
Neomark’s glow-in-the-dark thread is rated 30w and is good for machine embroidery. Nonetheless, it is prone to breakage, especially for fast-paced machines.
4. TcJ-Chen Glow in The Dark Embroidery Thread
If you don’t care so much about a lively design during the day, the TcJ-Chen thread is a fantastic option.
You get one spool of 2 ply thread that is white but glows into a bright neon green. The thread is rated 40w, the ideal weight for machine embroidery.
By placing it in direct sunlight for at least 30 minutes, you can expect a tremendous glow, especially under a blacklight.
However, it doesn’t stay lit as long as the other threads in this review. The glow lasts between 10-30 minutes and fades gradually.
We would call this option a bargain because, for a good price, you get 3000 yards of glow-in-the-dark thread.
Unfortunately, for anyone expecting a true white thread, this one is more off-white and seems to have a gray undertone. Still, it is ideal for a low key day visibility.
While many users agreed that the glow was awesome, there were complaints about the quality of the thread. It continuously breaks, and the finish is not very flat and clean. It appears bulked up and fuzzy.
But again, it could be the machine or needle, as it seemed to work well for other users.
5. New brothread Luminary Glow in The Dark Embroidery Thread Kit
In fifth place, we have the Brothread brand once again. However, this version has twice the number of colors as the first for double the fun. This is a 16-piece spool set.
This luminary thread is a fantastic buy for anyone who wants to achieve a vibrant and lively embroidered design both during the day and at night. It contains a wonderful range of colored threads.
The 16 colors are beautiful and are a mix of pastels, neons, and darker shades of blue, pink, green, yellow, orange, and purple. There’s gray and white too.
You can expect the same great qualities on this Brothread set as the other in the top position of the review. The thread is of high quality and sews like butter.
It is resilient with little chance of breaking and fraying. You can machine wash it without compromising the lovely glow.
The threads have a superior glow, especially the soft-colored ones. Despite the extensive color collection, all except three colors glow green. Pinks and oranges emit an orange-ish glow.
If properly charged under the sun, you can enjoy upto three hours of the night light and impressive colors for the day.
6. Coats & Clark Glow in The Dark Machine Embroidery Thread
Coats and Clark is an old brand of threads, and it’s safe to put your trust in people who know their business. But the one reason this thread has made it to the review is that it actually glows and sews well.
The thread is only available in a pastel yellow; sadly, there aren’t any options here, which is unfortunately, for those who would like an attractive design even in the daytime.
However, a light yellow thread usually emits unmatched photo luminance. The thread glows a brilliant green.
When charged under high-intensity UV light for a considerable duration, its glow will last a few hours though it fades gradually.
You only get one spool of 40w 100 yards of glow-in-the-dark thread. Doesn’t seem much and is actually smaller than most people expect.
The bright side is that you get to try a small amount before committing your money to several spools, only for the thread to fail to meet your expectations. Besides, it costs less and would be perfect for anyone with a mini project.
7. Hztyyier Luminous Sewing Thread
If you have a theme and don’t want to buy a mixed-color set to be stuck with colors you don’t need, this thread solves that problem. We love that the colors are sold individually, so you only buy what you need.
The Hztyyier is a 40w polyester machine embroidery thread that glows green in the dark.
There are six color options, and you get one spool per purchase, depending on your color choice. There are 1000-yard spools (purple, pink, and white) and 3000-yard spools (yellow, neon, and blue).
It seems like a decent thread worth a try, and the fact that you get to choose the exact color you want should be the deal sweetener.
With this information, we hope you can now choose the best glow-in-the-dark thread and get to work on those tshirts, trick-or-treat bags, pillows, wall quilts, and Christmas tree hangings, among other stuff. Just remember to go slow with the machine, have a sewer’s aid on hand and the right needle for the job.
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