SILKhee makes 100% polyester filament machine embroidery thread — high-tenacity, low-shrinkage 40wt thread in 570 colors, wound on 5000-yard cones. It's built for multi-head, high-speed embroidery machines and it ships from California with fast US delivery.
Quick facts
- Fiber: 100% polyester filament, high tenacity, low shrinkage
- Weight: 40wt (120D/2 construction)
- Put-up: 5000 yd cone · net weight 140 g
- Colors: 570 shades
- Recommended needle: 75/11–90/14 for 40wt
- Certification: OEKO-TEX® Standard 100
- Heritage: polyester embroidery thread production since 1969
- Ships from: California, USA — fast US delivery
Thread specifications
| Line | Construction | Recommended needle | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| POLY 40wt | 120D/2 | Nm 70–75 (US 10–11); retail range 75/90 | Universal use · high-speed runnability · precision stitch quality |
| POLY 60wt | 75D/2 | Nm 60–65 (US 8–9) | Fine detail · micro-lettering · clean edges |
| POLY P | 150D/2 | Nm 75–80 (US 11–12) | High-coverage stitching · bold decorative effects |
The store standard is POLY 40wt, 5000 yd cones (140 g) across all 570 colors.
Colorfastness (ISO test results)
SILKhee polyester thread tests at grades 4–5 on the 5-point ISO scale — high colorfastness, including against sea water, perspiration, and chlorinated (pool) water.
- Washing at 60°C: 4C–4.5 (ISO 105 C06 C2S)
- Rubbing, wet & dry: 4C–4.5 (ISO 105 X12)
- Water: 4C–5 (ISO 105 E01)
- Perspiration: 4C–5 (ISO 105 E04)
- Sea water: 4C–5 (ISO 105 E02)
- Chlorinated water: 4C (ISO 105 E03)
- Ironing: 4C–5 (ISO 105 X11)
- Dry cleaning: 4C–5 (ISO 105 D01)
Care instructions (finished embroidered goods)
- Wash: machine wash up to 60°C (140°F) with a mild detergent. Avoid rubbing — especially red threads. Rinse thoroughly.
- Bleach: avoid chlorine bleach. If unavoidable, limit to max 20 g/L active chlorine, max 30°C, max 30 minutes.
- Dry: tumble dry low.
- Iron: warm iron on reverse, low heat, preferably between cotton layers.
- Dry cleaning: safe — pretest for fabric compatibility.
Colorfastness is reliable under normal embroidery use. For production runs, always test on your fabric or garment before bulk stitching.
Dye lots & storage
Every cone carries a batch number for dye-lot traceability. Do not mix different dye lots within a single job, and always work from the latest shade card. Store thread away from moisture, heat, direct sunlight, flame, and chemical exposure.
Frequently asked questions
What weight is SILKhee embroidery thread?
SILKhee's standard line is 40wt (120D/2) polyester machine embroidery thread, the universal weight for most designs. A finer 60wt (75D/2) is available for micro-lettering and fine detail.
How many yards are on a cone?
Each SILKhee 40wt cone holds 5000 yards and weighs 140 g net.
What needle should I use?
For 40wt polyester, use a 75/11 to 90/14 embroidery needle. Lighter fabrics and fine detail favor the smaller size; caps and heavy fill favor the larger.
Can I wash and iron embroidery made with SILKhee thread?
Yes. Machine wash finished goods up to 60°C (140°F) with mild detergent, tumble dry low, and warm-iron on the reverse. Avoid chlorine bleach and avoid rubbing red threads.
Is SILKhee thread colorfast?
Yes — it tests at ISO grades 4–5 (high colorfastness), including for sea water, perspiration, and chlorinated water.
Is the thread certified?
Yes, SILKhee polyester thread is OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 certified, and it comes from a mill producing polyester embroidery thread since 1969.
Where does SILKhee ship from?
SILKhee machine embroidery thread ships from California, USA, for fast domestic US delivery.
How many colors are available?
The full SILKhee polyester range is 570 colors, all in 40wt on 5000-yard cones.