Richword Machine Embroidery Thread Set: First Impressions and Stitch Test

Buying machine embroidery thread online can feel a little bit like a gamble, especially when it is a budget-friendly thread set from a brand you have not used before.

The colors may look beautiful in the listing photos, the box may seem practical, and the price may be tempting – but the real question is always the same: how will the thread behave in an embroidery machine?

Recently, I ordered a Richword machine embroidery thread set, and now that the box has arrived, I wanted to share my first impressions and a simple stitch test.

This is not a long-term review yet. I have not used every color in many different projects. But I did check the packaging, look closely at the threads, and make a test embroidery to see how the thread performs in real stitching.

Why I Decided to Try This Thread Set

For a long time, I mostly used rayon machine embroidery threads, especially Sulky Gunold, Madeira, and Marathon III. These were the brands I could buy locally, which meant I could visit a shop, see the colors in person, and choose exactly what I needed.

I also have real thread color charts for most of these brands – not just printed brochures, but actual thread samples. This makes it much easier to match colors and order additional shades with confidence.

From time to time, I still ordered embroidery threads online, but I was already familiar with the brands and knew what to expect.

At some point, I decided that I wanted to expand my thread collection and add more polyester embroidery threads. Polyester threads can be a very practical choice, and for many projects, they are even preferable. They are strong, durable, and often a good option for items that may be used, handled, or washed more often.

The only problem was the price. Building a large polyester thread collection with many colors and shades can become expensive very quickly.

That is when I came across the Richword machine embroidery thread set. 

The price was very budget-friendly, and the set included a nice variety of colors, so I decided to order it without overthinking too much. I was curious to see whether this affordable thread set could be a useful addition to my embroidery supplies.

What Was Inside the Box

The set I ordered included 40 spools of machine embroidery thread. Each spool contains 800 meters of thread.

The box also included a printed color chart. Richword has 100 thread colors in total, so I thought it would be useful for marking the shades included in my set and possibly ordering additional colors later.

However, when I started comparing the printed chart with the actual threads in the box, it became clear that the printed colors were quite far from reality. I personally would not feel confident ordering extra shades based only on this chart.

For me, this is not a big disadvantage, because I am already used to printed thread charts being inaccurate. Printed colors often do not match the real thread sheen, undertone, or depth very well. This is exactly why I always prefer real thread color charts with actual thread samples whenever possible.

The box itself arrived in good condition, and everything inside looked neat and well packed. None of the spools were damaged, and the thread colors looked pretty and useful, even if the printed chart was not reliable enough for precise color matching.

First Impressions

My first impression was positive. The colors are pretty, bright, and useful for many different embroidery projects. Of course, the color palette in this set will not cover every possible embroidery need. No ready-made thread set can do that perfectly.

But there are many beautiful and inspiring colors in the box, and I immediately saw several shades that I would like to use in my own designs.

The set also included a few neon colors. I know neon threads are not everyone’s favorite, and they may not fit every embroidery style. But personally, I was happy to see them. I had already wanted to experiment with brighter neon accents in some of my machine embroidery designs, so these colors felt like a fun bonus for me.

The thread has a nice sheen, which is exactly what I like to see in machine embroidery thread. To the touch, it feels smooth and silky. I did not notice anything rough or unpleasant when handling it. The spools also looked clean and neatly wound.

Of course, beautiful colors are only part of the story. With machine embroidery thread, the real test is how it behaves during stitching.

Stitch Test

For my first test, I wanted to use a small design that would be simple enough for a quick stitch-out, but still useful for checking how the thread behaves in real embroidery.

I found this cute little sailboat design from EmbLibrary in my archive, and it turned out to be a perfect test sample. It had a few different color areas, enough stitching to see the thread in action, and a cheerful nautical look that I really liked.

For this stitch test, I used several colors from the Richword thread set and watched how they behaved during embroidery.

The result was pleasantly good. The thread stitched smoothly, and I did not have any thread breaks during the test. The embroidery machine worked without any obvious problems, and the finished stitch-out looked clean.

For me, this is always the most important first sign. A thread can look beautiful on the spool, but if it constantly breaks, frays, or causes tension problems, it quickly becomes frustrating to use.

In this first test, the Richword thread behaved well.

What I Would Use This Thread For

Based on my first impression, I think this set could be useful for many everyday machine embroidery projects, especially:

• test stitch-outs

• small embroidery designs

• in-the-hoop projects

• decorative details

• color experiments

• beginner-friendly embroidery practice

I especially like sets like this for testing new color combinations. When you have many colors available, it becomes easier to play, compare shades, and make small creative decisions without feeling limited by your thread drawer.

The affordable price also makes experimentation feel easier. With more expensive threads, I sometimes stop and think twice before using a color just for a test or a small creative idea. Is it worth it? Should I save this thread for a more important project?

With this set, I feel much more free to stitch, test, and experiment. And for me, as an embroidery designer, that is very important. Testing is not just a side step – it is part of the design process. Sometimes a new color combination, a brighter accent, or a simple test stitch can lead to a better final design.

For very important projects, I would still recommend testing the exact thread, fabric, stabilizer, and design combination first. This is something I do with any thread brand, not only budget-friendly ones. Machine embroidery depends on many small details, and a quick test stitch can prevent a lot of problems later.

Things to Keep in Mind Before Buying

If you are thinking about buying a Richword thread set, I would pay close attention to the exact set you are ordering.

Richword has different thread sets, and they can vary by the number of spools, thread length, color selection, and packaging. Some sets may include fewer or more colors, and the spool size may also be different.

My set included 40 spools, with 800 meters of thread on each spool. These are not large industrial cones, but for small projects, test stitch-outs, and everyday creative embroidery, this size can be completely enough.

I would also be careful with the printed color chart. The chart included in my box was useful as a general reference, but the printed colors were quite far from the real thread shades. I personally would not order additional colors based only on that chart.

This is not unusual for printed thread charts. Printed ink cannot always show the real sheen, undertone, and depth of embroidery thread. Whenever possible, I prefer real thread color charts with actual thread samples.

So before buying, I would suggest checking the product description carefully: how many spools are included, how many meters are on each spool, what type of thread it is, and whether the color selection is fixed or random.

Final Thoughts

So far, I am happy with my Richword machine embroidery thread set. The box arrived in great condition. The colors are beautiful, the thread feels smooth and silky, and my first stitch test went well without thread breaks.

I will continue using these threads in real projects and see how they perform over time. But as a first impression, this set surprised me in a good way.

If you are looking for a budget-friendly machine embroidery thread set for testing, small projects, or building a larger color collection, Richword threads may be worth considering – as long as you understand that these are smaller 800 m spools and you still test them with your own machine and materials.

Save this idea if you like testing new embroidery threads and colors. Sometimes budget-friendly threads are enough to make creative experiments feel easier.