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All About NYMO Thread

Posted on by AngularByDesign Admin

NYMO Thread, Manufactured by COATS, is the most popular beading threads for seed beads. It’s used for loom weaving (Not Recommended To Use Thread Smalled Than Size D), off-loom stitching, and bead embroidery, and the best thing about NYMO is that it’s available in and wide variety of colors and sizes. Nymo thread is strong, easy to use, and can literally be found at nearly every local bead shop and internet bead store.

NYMO Spools and Cones are higher quality and easier to use than Bobbins, although I highly recommend using bobbins to sample the thread and to enjoy the wide variety of colors.

NYMO was originally developed and used for the upholstery industry. It’s a nylon monochord, which means it is a single bonded strand, and not several strands twisted together. This is helpful in beadwork when you have to remove stitches. NYMO typically won’t untwist and separate if it is not overworked.

NYMO is typically used with glass seed beads and Miyuki Delica’s for off-loom bead weaving.

Characteristics of NYMO

  • Available in five different sizes
  • Available in a wide variety of colors
  • Works well for fringe or tassels
  • It’s durable and strong
  • It’s easily cut with most scissors
  • Beadwork stitched with NYMO is more flexible than beadwork done with WildFire or FireLine.

Drawbacks To Using NYMO

  • Should be conditioned with wax or thread conditioner, especially the thread on bobbins
  • Should be pre-stretched slightly or it will stretch over time making your artwork look loose
  • Tangles relatively easily if not pre-stretched and stitches are not easy to undo
  • Can fray or break if it becomes wet or you use the wrong size for your artwork
  • Bobbin thread is typically flatter, frays easier, and should always be conditioned properly

Using the Right Size Nymo Thread

NYMO comes in several sizes, ranging from “OO” (thinnest) to “F” (thickest). The most commonly available sizes are OO, O, B and D. To get the most from the thread strength, use the thickest size that will allow you to pass through your beads multiple times.

Size 00 is .127 mm in diameter and suitable for smaller beads (size 15) or when multiple thread passes are required.
  • Size 0 is .1524 mm and suitable for the same purposes as size 00, however it is a bit stronger.
  • Size B is .2032 mm and one of the most commonly used sizes. It’s strong and suitable for a wide range of stitches and bead sizes including beads that are sizes 8, 10, 11 and 15.
  • Size D is .3048 mm in diameter and suitable for similar purposes as size B, however it is strong enough to support necklaces. Size “D” that comes on a spool or cone is thicker and heavier than the size “D” that comes on a bobbin. This is a by-product of Nymo’s use as a sewing thread – where the main spool thread is subjected to more stress and wear than the bobbin thread.
  • Size F is .35 mm in diameter and best suitable for projects that require a lot of strenght. Not recommended for use on beads that are smaller than size 11 because it won’t not allow multiple passes through each bead.

    • NYMO thread comes in a variety of colors including white, black, champagne, gray, golden, cream, red, sand ash, brown, blue, royal blue. turquoise, evergreen, and Rosey mauve, however most of these colors are only available in bobbins. Assortments of bobbins are also available from some suppliers.

    AngularByDesign Admin

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