You experienced girls: Why do so many use rayon? I'm still very new and unexperienced, but learnt that rayon washes out and polyester not. So, why do you use it?

Hi, I actually use a lot of polyester, I personally find that rayon seems to fray more, and yes I have found that Rayon has a lovely Sheen to it, suppose its up to the indiviual

ttt*

I always use rayon thread : color & embroidery resist to washing and time :o)*

Most of mine is rayon. That is what was more available when I started. I haven't seen a lot of difference in the washing but I don't have small kids clothing that is used heavily. I really like the brand Robison-Anton. Mostly because of the way the spool is made and the size available locally.

I do lots of childrens clothing. Actually I do almost exclusively childrens clothing for my 8 grandchildren. Many of the items I do will be washed frequently, in hot water, and very often bleached. I have never had a good quality poly thread fade out in the wash. But I have had baby bibs that were done with rayon lose the design completely. I mean the thread was still there but little or no color left. I am eliminating all rayon from my stash as I do the odd item that won't be washed. I will not buy rayon again.

1 comment

by suzettebritz 18 Aug 2009

...the debate goes on - what like to hear Jerrilyn's opinion!

Rayon has a more lusterous sheen than the polyester but I use a lot more polyester than I do rayon.

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by suzettebritz 18 Aug 2009

I think I will stick to the "Colorful" brand (Bernina) for now, as it also has a shine and at least I know it won't wash out on dish cloths, etc if given as gifts and perhaps people wash at higher temps than 60 degrees.

Thanks to all that have responded to this question so far!

Rayon is PERFECT for home decor, things you won't be washing a lot. The shine is awesome! I use poly for clothing items that will "take some beating", such as my husbands scrubs or kids clothes I've done for friends. Otherwise, rayon is definitely my choice. Seems to run nicely in the machines too. :-)

I have not much expérience in embroidery but I buy polyester it is less expensive than rayon

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by suzettebritz 18 Aug 2009

In South Africa it is the other way round. Most rayon I came across is really cheap and the polyester I use (buy through Bernina, "Colorful" brand, costs the same as rayon. Not talking about Mettler though, that is really expensive due to exchange rate!

don't know what's better, so to the top again this question!

I've used rayon ever since I started machine embroidering in 1992, did not even hear there was polyester embroidery yarn till 2 years ago. I have a full set of Madeira rayon and Marathon polyester, plus several cones of Brildor polyester. I love the shine of rayon and the nice colours (at least the colours of Madeira are superior to the Marathon; Brildor has brilliant colours too); never had problems with fading or washing out - Madeira claims it's colourfast up to 95 degrees Celsius, but I never wash at more than 60). I think it's mostly a matter of what you're used to, I have had good results with either.

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by suzettebritz 18 Aug 2009

My main concern is dish cloths. Someone tested a brand in store for me, by adding "bleach", the "colourfast" rayon washed out, especially the black and the SA brand "Colorful - poly" did not.

But at least I now know why so many prefer the rayon for items that don't have to be washed that often. The shine!!

by suzettebritz 18 Aug 2009

...and maybe you guys have more colours available. I will have to check the colours!!

yes Jerrilyn will be by to help you I am sure in the mean time I will give you a flower

Suzette, great question and I know that Jerrilyn will be along in the morning to help you with this one - I don't use much rayon - but I don't see much difference in it - either way. Hehehe! *4U