Is there an FSL calculator for approximate thread that is needed for a design? I have a design that is 27K stitches and I bought a 1200 yd spool of thread. Just wondering if I need 2 spools?

Most software programs will have an thread estimate when you print out a Stitching Template or Thread List or some other such output. Have you checked what printouts are available in the software you got with your machine?

Usually you need much less Bobbin thread as correct embroidery has the bobbin tighter so as to pull the top thread underneath to ensure good top thread coverage.

Madeira also has approximate design estimates on their thread charts:

200 mt (220 yds) = 40,000 stitches
therefore an average of 40 designs per standard spool, for typical 6-colour designs, is to be expected.

so your 1200 yd spool should stitch 218,181.81 stitches.

or,

your 27K design should require .675 of a 220 yd spool of thread and, playing safe, by all means double it if using same thread for bobbin.

1 & 1/3 x 220 yd spools.

Now my head is REALLY aching. LOL!!!

I'd be interested to see how accurate this is, I may have to stitch out a design to test it, one day.
HNR, M

Found this

I have the software Studio 3D, it gives for each design the length of thread of each colour, perhaps another software that you use could give the information?
Hugs laude

Hi, maybe my own standardcalculation can help? To make myself a quick way of checking my thread I took a very dense/heavy FSL as a startingpoint. It was 10.000 st and needed about 50 meter thread top spool, and I gather it´s about double (100 m) for both top and bobbin. That equals 10 m thread for 10K stiches. So my very simple check is to multiply each 1000 stiches with 10 to get an idea of the meters needed. One yard is 0,9144 meter meter so you could use this as a rough check for yards too. In your case it´s 27 x 10 = 270 meters needed. One spool 1200y is 1097 meters so that should be more than enough! I would be glad to hear if it worked for your stiching too!
Best regards and best luck / Peggy

1 comment

by crousse 13 Jun 2010

THNKS FOR SHARING WITH US!  GREAT WAY TO CALCULATE!!  :-)

Great question and I wonder the same. I've got some doily designs I want to try, but don't know if I have enough thread. My software doesn't tell me either...sigh!

1 comment

by psssst 12 Jun 2010

I googled it but didn't find an answer so I came to the experts hahaha I don't want to start the project and run short and I don't want to buy more thread that I won't have a use for
It is quite the conumdrum!

my software tells me how many stitches and how many ft in bobbin. print your design out and see if it tells you. Kay

1 comment

by psssst 12 Jun 2010

TY nope that is why I asked for an approximate (rule of thumb) so I can buy another spool if need be.

Good question, No idea ;D *2U

1 comment

by psssst 12 Jun 2010

ty 14kt