Retors d’Alsace Skeins 08 - DMC

Retors d'Alsace 08 DMC – Egyptian Cotton Embroidery Thread 20g 160m

100% double-mercerized Egyptian cotton | 20g – 160m | Hardanger, Punto Antico, Reticello

📋 Key features

• Composition100% long-staple Egyptian cotton
• Skein weight20 grams
• Length160 metres, size 8
• Structure2-ply twisted thread
• Recommended needleEmbroidery needle no. 24-26
• WashingMachine washable at 40°C
• Ideal forHardanger, Punto Antico, Reticello
• FinishShiny, does not twist

🧵 The thread

Retors d'Alsace 08 DMC is a professional embroidery thread made from 100% long-staple Egyptian cotton, double-mercerized to ensure superior sheen and exceptional wash resistance. Designed for those seeking absolute precision in traditional embroidery, this thread combines a soft feel with the structural strength required for complex techniques such as Hardanger, Punto Antico and Reticello.

Each skein weighs 20 grams and contains 160 metres of size 8 thread, with a 2-ply twisted construction that glides smoothly through the fabric without twisting. For best results, use an embroidery needle no. 24-26 on fabrics such as linen, Aida cloth or even-weave fabrics, where the stitches look crisp, defined and flawless, even in the finest details.

🧬 Technical composition: why it works

Long-staple Egyptian cotton is the foundation of this thread: longer fibres mean less fuzz, greater tensile strength and a smooth surface that reflects light evenly. The result is embroidery that retains its sheen even after numerous washes, without fading or losing definition. The long fibres also ensure that the thread does not break during stitching, even when working tight or openwork stitches that put the material under tension.

Double mercerization is the process that sets Retors d'Alsace apart from standard threads: the cotton is treated twice with caustic soda under tension, changing the fibre's structure to make it smoother, stronger and better able to absorb dyes. The result is a thread that not only shines more brightly, but also stands up better to the mechanical wear of repeated stitching and frequent washing, retaining its vivid colour over time.

📦 Skein size and yield

Each skein contains 20 grams of thread, for a total length of 160 metres. With one skein, you can make a small Punto Antico embroidered table centre (approximately 20x20 cm with medium-dense embroidery), or complete a Hardanger section on a tablecloth corner. For larger projects such as full tablecloths or bed linen, allow approximately 3-4 skeins for every 30x30 cm of densely embroidered surface.

The 20-gram size is ideal for medium-sized projects or for trying out a colour before buying a larger quantity. We always recommend buying all the skeins you need for a project at once, as small differences between dye lots can affect the final shade, especially in large pieces where colour variations would be noticeable.

🧶 Recommended stitching

An embroidery needle no. 24-26 is the ideal size for this thread: the eye is wide enough to let the 2-ply thread pass through without fraying, but fine enough not to leave noticeable holes in the fabric. This combination is essential for techniques such as Punto Antico, where stitches need to be compact and full-coverage, and Hardanger, where the geometric precision of the embroidery depends on even thread tension and a clean passage through the weave.

Retors d'Alsace 08 is particularly well suited to stitching on even-weave linen (28-32 count) and Aida cloth (14-16 count), where its 2-ply twisted construction provides optimum coverage without adding bulk to the fabric. The main feature of this thread is that it does not twist while you work: you can stitch for long sessions without constantly stopping to untangle it—a real advantage, especially for complex projects that require sustained concentration.

✨ Why choose Retors d'Alsace 08 DMC

Compared with standard single-ply embroidery threads or non-mercerized cottons, Retors d'Alsace solves three practical problems: twisting while stitching, loss of sheen after washing and difficulty achieving even stitches on tightly woven fabrics. Its 2-ply twisted construction distributes tension evenly, preventing the thread from twisting on itself, while double mercerization creates such a smooth surface that the thread glides through the fabric without resistance.

In practice, this means you can complete a complex embroidery project in less time, with fewer interruptions, and achieve a finished piece that retains its aesthetic quality even after years of use and repeated washing. This is the thread to choose when embroidery is more than just a hobby—it is work that needs to last and stand up to the real-life use of the items you create.

🎨 What you can make

Retors d'Alsace 08 is the go-to thread for traditional embroidery techniques that require geometric precision and structural strength. Hardanger, Punto Antico and Reticello are its main applications, but the thread is also suitable for satin-stitch embroidery on table linen, linen home décor and textile restoration work where the technical characteristics of the original threads need to be matched.

👩‍🎨 Who it's for

This thread is suited to intermediate and advanced embroiderers who are already familiar with structured techniques such as Hardanger or Punto Antico. The precision these techniques require presupposes a good understanding of thread tension and needle handling on even-weave fabrics. It is not the ideal thread for beginners, but it is perfect for anyone ready to move on from simple projects to more complex, long-lasting work.

Its main customers are enthusiasts of traditional embroidery, artisans who make commissioned household linen and textile conservators working on antique linens. It is also popular with those who create gifts for special occasions, where material quality and durability make all the difference between an ordinary gift and an item with sentimental and practical value.

🧼 Care and maintenance

• WashingMachine washable at 40°C
• BleachingDo not bleach
• Spin cycleGentle spin cycle
• DryingLay flat to dry away from heat sources
• IroningIron on medium heat on the reverse
• StorageStore in a dry place away from direct light

📌 Important note

📊 Technical specifications