Embroidery thread near me: Madeira machine embroidery thread in stock in Tempe, AZ, with same-day pickup and shipping to all 50 states
Searching for embroidery thread near me in the Phoenix area? Buckets of Ink at 906 S Priest Dr in Tempe stocks the Madeira embroidery thread catalog: Polyneon polyester, Classic Rayon, FS Metallic, Supertwist, Frosted Matt, Fire Fighter and more, in 5,500-yard cones and 1,100-yard spools. Backing, needles, bobbins, scissors and Happy Japan machines are on the same shelves. Pick up at our Tempe, Arizona shop or order online with fast shipping to every state.
Where can I buy embroidery thread near me?
If you are in the Phoenix metro, Buckets of Ink at 906 S Priest Dr #101, Tempe, AZ 85281 sells machine embroidery thread off the shelf: Madeira Polyneon polyester, Classic Rayon, FS Metallic and specialty lines in 5,500-yard cones and 1,100-yard spools, plus backing, needles and bobbins. Open Monday to Friday, 7:30 AM to 4:00 PM. Call 480-229-7806 to have an order pulled for pickup.
Outside Arizona, the same thread ships from Tempe to every U.S. state with tracked delivery, usually within one business day of ordering.
Embroidery thread shop near me: drive times to the Tempe store
Off US-60 at Priest Drive, minutes from Sky Harbor and ASU. Times are typical off-peak drives; tap a city for turn-by-turn directions.
Madeira Thread
Madeira embroidery machine threads - search any color number or name to find it fast.
Madeira embroidery thread near me: which line do you need?
Every line below is on our shelves. Each card names the fiber, the finish, and the job it does best, so you can match thread to garment before you order.
Polyneon #40 (100% polyester)
High shine, high tensile strength, and resistant to chlorine bleach and abrasion. The standard pick for uniforms, caps, performance wear, towels and commercial linens that get laundered hard. Also in #60 and #75 for small lettering. [1][2]
5,500 yd cones $9.93 and 1,100 yd spools $3.75, 300 colors in the catalogClassic Rayon #40 (100% viscose)
The original glossy embroidery thread. Soft hand that stays soft even at high stitch counts, lays flat in any direction, and is gentle on needles and cutters. Ideal for fashion, kids' wear and delicate fabrics. Also in #30, #60 and #12. [3][4]
FS Metallic #40
Real silver foil wrapped around a polyamide core. Runs at #40 alongside Polyneon or Rayon with no needle change. [5]
Supertwist
Triple-twisted nylon core plus metallic base for a dimensional, sparkling stitch that stays strong and sewable. [5]
Polyester CR Metallic #40
Coated polyester built for easy running. Bright, resilient color for shops new to specialty thread.
Frosted Matt
Matte polyester for a flat, chalky finish. Popular for vintage looks, tone-on-tone logos and tonal monograms.
Fire Fighter (flame resistant)
Inherently flame-resistant thread for FR workwear, turnout gear and safety apparel where the thread must match the garment spec.
Polyneon Green and Sensa Green
Polyneon Green is 100% recycled polyester with the same run characteristics as Polyneon. Sensa Green is a lyocell thread from certified wood pulp. [1]
Burmilana wool blend, Burmilana cotton blend, Monolon monofilament and Special Effect threads
Wool and cotton blends give a hand-stitched, heirloom texture. Monolon is a clear monofilament for invisible tack-downs and applique. Ask us which needle and density each one wants before you run it.
Polyester, rayon or metallic: pick by what the garment goes through
The thread that looks best on the hoop is not always the thread that survives the customer's wash cycle. Use the tabs to compare by use case, then the table for the specifics.
Recommendation: Polyneon #40. Polyester holds color through industrial laundering and chlorine bleach and resists abrasion from daily wear. Run FS Metallic #40 for accent lettering only if the wash program is gentle. [1][2]
Recommendation: Classic Rayon #40. The softest hand and the deepest gloss, which is why designers specify it. Add FS Metallic or Supertwist for premium accents; step down to Rayon #60 for lettering under 5 mm. [3][4]
Recommendation: Polyneon #40 with E-Zee Cap backing. Caps are stitched on a curved frame at speed, so the higher tensile strength of polyester cuts thread breaks. Pair with a #75/11 sharp needle on structured caps.
Recommendation: Polyneon #40 plus a water-soluble topping. Hotel and spa linens see bleach and high heat; polyester keeps its color. E-Zee Aqua topping keeps stitches from sinking into terry loops. [1]
| Property | Polyneon (polyester) | Classic Rayon (viscose) | FS Metallic |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fiber | 100% filament polyester | 100% viscose rayon | Silver foil over polyamide core |
| Finish | High shine | Glossy, softest hand | True metallic |
| Chlorine bleach | Resistant | Avoid | Gentle wash |
| Abrasion and sunlight | Resistant | Moderate | Moderate |
| Weights stocked | #40, #60, #75 | #40, #60, #30, #12 | #40, #50, #20 |
| Standard put-up | 5,500 yd cone, 1,100 yd spool | 5,500 yd cone, 1,100 yd spool | Varies by weight |
| Typical needle | #75/11 | #75/11 | #75/11 to #80/12 |
| Best for | Uniforms, caps, towels, performance wear | Fashion, kids' wear, delicate fabrics | Accents, logos, holiday and formal wear |
| Certification | Oeko-Tex | Oeko-Tex | Oeko-Tex |
Needle sizes and tension are starting points. Madeira suggests roughly 150 gF top tension for Classic Rayon as a baseline; every machine differs. [4]
Embroidery Backings & Stabilizers
Madeira E-Zee backings, toppings, and stabilizers - search any item number, size, or weight to find it fast.
Machine embroidery thread near me, or hand embroidery floss? Know which one you need
Half the people searching for embroidery thread nearby want cones for a machine and half want skeins for a hoop and needle. We stock one of them, so here is the difference before you drive over.
Machine embroidery thread
Wound on cones and spools for commercial and home embroidery machines: Brother, Tajima, Barudan, Happy Japan, Ricoma, Melco, Bernina and others.
- Madeira Polyneon #40 polyester, 300-plus colors
- Madeira Classic Rayon #40, FS Metallic, Supertwist, Frosted Matt
- 5,500-yard cones and 1,100-yard mini spools
- Pre-wound bobbins, needles, E-Zee backing and topping
Hand embroidery floss
Six-strand cotton floss in small skeins for hand stitching and cross stitch, such as DMC or Anchor. Buckets of Ink is a commercial decorating supplier and does not carry hand floss.
- For hand floss, a craft or fabric store is the right stop
- If you are hand-stitching with machine thread, Classic Rayon #40 off a mini spool works for satin-stitch accents
- Not sure which you need? Call 480-229-7806 and describe the project
Running Isacord, Robison-Anton or Sulky? We match the color to Madeira
Most embroidery files call out a thread number from one brand. Bring the number and we will match it to the Madeira color on the shelf, or use the conversion chart yourself. Madeira Polyneon #40 runs on the same needle and tension window as Isacord 40, so the switch is a color match, not a machine change.
- Isacord 40 to Madeira Polyneon #40
- Robison-Anton Super Strength Rayon to Madeira Classic Rayon #40
- Sulky 40 rayon to Madeira Classic Rayon #40
Thread weight, decoded
In embroidery thread, a higher number means a thinner thread. Match the weight to the smallest detail in the design, not the largest fill.
How to get thread today
Find the color number
Search this page by Madeira color number or name. Cross-referencing from another brand? Use our thread conversion chart.
Choose weight and put-up
5,500-yard cones for production, 1,100-yard spools for sampling and one-off jobs.
Pick up in Tempe or ship it
Order online and choose in-store pickup at 906 S Priest Dr, or have it shipped anywhere in the U.S.
Ask before you run something new
Call 480-229-7806. We sell and support Happy Japan embroidery machines and can tell you the needle, density and backing that work.
Embroidery Needles
Madeira machine embroidery needles - search any size, point type, or pack to find it fast.
Embroidery Bobbins
Machine embroidery bobbins - search any style, size, or pack to find it fast.
Thread problems and the usual fix
Most "bad thread" complaints trace back to needle, tension or backing. Check these first.
Thread keeps breaking
Change the needle first; a burr or a dull point shreds thread. Then confirm the thread path is seated in every guide and the cone is on a stand, not tipped on the table.
Looping on top
Top tension is too loose or bobbin tension too tight. Rayon can loop if the machine is set for polyester; re-tension when you switch fibers.
Bobbin thread showing
Top tension too tight, or the design's density is too high for the fabric. Try a lighter pull or a #60 weight on small lettering.
Puckering
Wrong backing for the fabric. Knits want cut-away; stable wovens can take tear-away. Reduce density before adding more stabilizer.
Metallic shredding
Slow the machine, use a metallic or larger-eye needle, lower top tension, and feed from a horizontal stand so the thread unwinds without twisting.
Color looks off after wash
Rayon on bleached linens will fade. Move that job to Polyneon, which is rated for chlorine bleach and repeated laundering. [1]
Embroidery Tools & Accessories
Scissors, snips, oilers, adhesives, and machine accessories - search any tool to find it fast.
Inside the embroidery department in Tempe
The thread wall, the supply aisle, the van that delivers across the Valley, and the Happy Japan machines we sell and support.
Happy Japan Embroidery Machines
Single-head to 12-head commercial embroidery machines - search any model or head count, then request a quote.
Request a Quote
Happy Japan machines are sold by quote. Reach our equipment team and we will follow up with pricing and availability for this model.
The embroidery thread shop near me: 906 S Priest Dr, Tempe
Buckets of Ink
906 S Priest Dr #101, Tempe, AZ 85281
480-229-7806
bucketsofink@gmail.com
On Priest Drive between University Drive and Broadway Road, a few minutes from Arizona State University, Loop 202 and Sky Harbor Airport.
- Walk-in shopping for embroidery thread, needles, bobbins and E-Zee backings
- Same inventory online and in store
- Screen printing and DTF supplies under the same roof
- Contractor and shop accounts for volume pricing
Embroidery thread questions, answered
In the Phoenix metro, Buckets of Ink in Tempe stocks Madeira machine embroidery thread for walk-in purchase at 906 S Priest Dr #101, Monday to Friday 7:30 AM to 4:00 PM. Search the catalog on this page by color number, then call 480-229-7806 to have it pulled for pickup, or order online for shipping anywhere in the U.S.
Buckets of Ink sells machine embroidery thread on cones and spools for Brother, Tajima, Barudan, Happy Japan, Ricoma and other embroidery machines. The store is in Tempe, Arizona, serving Phoenix, Mesa, Chandler, Gilbert and Scottsdale, and the same thread ships to all 50 states.
No. Buckets of Ink is a commercial decorating supplier and stocks machine embroidery thread from Madeira, not six-strand hand floss such as DMC or Anchor. For hand floss, a craft or fabric store is the right stop. If you are unsure which you need, call 480-229-7806.
We stock Madeira rather than Isacord. Madeira Polyneon #40 is the equivalent polyester and runs on the same needle and tension. Use the thread conversion chart on our embroidery page or call with the Isacord number and we will match it to the Madeira color on the shelf.
Buckets of Ink at 906 S Priest Dr #101 in Tempe stocks the Madeira embroidery thread catalog for walk-in customers from Tempe, Phoenix, Mesa, Chandler, Gilbert and Scottsdale. If you are outside Arizona, the same inventory ships to your door from our website.
For most commercial work, a #40 polyester such as Madeira Polyneon is the safest choice: it is strong at high speed, colorfast, and resists chlorine bleach. For the softest hand and richest gloss on fashion items, Madeira Classic Rayon #40 is the classic pick. Both run on commercial multi-head and home machines.
Choose polyester when the garment will be laundered hard, bleached, or worn outdoors: uniforms, caps, towels, workwear. Choose rayon when feel and sheen matter most and the wash care is gentle: fashion, children's wear, delicate fabrics. Many shops keep both and switch by job.
Weight is a thickness rating; the higher the number, the thinner the thread. #40 is the industry standard that most designs are digitized for. #60 and #75 are thinner for small lettering and detail; #30 and #12 are thicker for bold fills and decorative stitching.
Standard Madeira #40 cones hold 5,500 yards and mini snap-cone spools hold 1,100 yards. Specialty lines vary: Polyneon #60 ships on 1,640-yard spools and #75 on 2,734-yard spools.
Yes. Madeira Polyneon and Classic Rayon are made for high-speed commercial multi-head machines and run on semi-professional home machines as well. Use a cone stand and a #75/11 needle as a starting point, then adjust tension for the fiber.
Yes. Use our embroidery thread color conversion chart to find the nearest Madeira match, or call the shop with the color number and we will match it against our shelf stock.
A #75/11 embroidery needle covers #40 polyester and rayon on most fabrics. Move to a ballpoint on knits, a sharp on caps and dense wovens, and a metallic or larger-eye needle for FS Metallic and Supertwist.
Yes. Madeira E-Zee cut-away, tear-away, water-soluble and cap backings, pre-wound bobbins, and embroidery needles are all stocked in Tempe and online, so you can order a full job kit in one checkout.
Yes. Buckets of Ink sells and supports Happy Japan single-head and multi-head embroidery machines, from the Journey and Voyager single-heads to 4, 6, 8 and 12-head HCR3 production machines. Machines are quoted; request a quote on this page or call 480-229-7806 for a demo in Tempe.
In-stock thread ships from Arizona with fast processing and tracked delivery to every U.S. state. Local customers can choose in-store pickup at checkout and collect at the Tempe shop during business hours.
Sources and further reading
Specifications on this page come from the manufacturer. Use these links to confirm weights, fiber content and care ratings for any spec sheet you need to hand to a customer.
- Madeira USA: Polyneon 100% polyester machine embroidery thread (fiber, bleach resistance, #40/#60/#75 weights)
- Madeira USA: Polyneon product highlights (abrasion, sunlight and chlorine resistance; weight guidance)
- Madeira USA: Classic Rayon machine embroidery thread (100% viscose, tensile strength, soft hand)
- Madeira USA: About Madeira embroidery thread (Classic Rayon tension baseline, FS Metallic and Supertwist construction)
- Madeira USA: FS Metallic threads (silver foil over polyamide core, #40 compatibility)
- Madeira USA: Rayon thread weights (#30, #40 and #60 use cases)
- Buckets of Ink: Embroidery supplies, needles, bobbins and thread conversion chart
- Buckets of Ink: Madeira E-Zee backings and stabilizers (see the Embroidery Backings section on this page)
