Sashiko vs. DMC Gold: The Ultimate Embroidery Needle Showdown!
Embroidery Needle Showdown: Sashiko (Lecien Japan) vs. DMC Gold Embroidery Needles
Let’s talk embroidery needles. If you’ve ever fought with a flimsy, hard-to-thread needle that feels like it’s working against you rather than with you, you know that not all needles are created equal. I recently tested two highly rated contenders:
- Sashiko Needles by Lecien Japan, pricing available here.
- DMC Gold Embroidery Needles, pricing available here.
And let’s just say—there was a clear winner.
Sashiko Needles – By Lecien Japan 🏆
⭐ 9.5/10 – Almost Perfect
The moment I picked up these Japanese Sashiko needles, I could tell they meant business. They’re sturdier, easier to thread, and—despite being a bit thicker—glide through fabric like butter. No snagging, no struggling, just a smooth, effortless stitching experience.
✨ Pros:
✔️ Strong and durable—no fear of bending
✔️ Surprisingly smooth for their size
✔️ Super easy to thread (a true gift)
✔️ Beautiful, functional packaging
⚡ Cons:
❌ Slightly thicker than standard embroidery needles, which might take an adjustment period
❌ Could they be even better? Maybe. But they’re so close to perfect!
If you’re looking for a solid, reliable needle that feels luxurious to use, Sashiko is where it’s at. I gave them a 9.5/10, only because I believe in leaving a tiny bit of room for improvement.
DMC Gold Embroidery Needles ✨
⭐ 7/10 – Pretty, But Delicate
These needles are lovely. The gold plating gives them a high-end feel, and they’re definitely a step up from the generic embroidery needles I’ve used from big-box craft stores. If you’ve only used those before, these will feel like an upgrade.
✨ Pros:
✔️ Elegant gold finish
✔️ A noticeable improvement over mass-market embroidery kit needles
✔️ Good for finer, delicate stitches
⚡ Cons:
❌ Feel a bit fragile—potential bending concern
❌ Smaller eye = more threading frustration
❌ Sashiko needles made these feel less impressive by comparison
If I hadn’t tried the Sashiko first, I’d probably rate these an 8.5/10. But knowing what’s possible? They get a 7/10 from me.
Final Verdict 🏁
If you want strength, smooth stitching, and an easy threading experience, Sashiko needles win by a landslide. The DMC Gold needles are still decent—especially if you’re doing delicate work—but they just don’t feel as effortless or sturdy as the Sashiko.
Sashiko Needles: 9.5/10 🌟
DMC Gold Needles: 7/10 ✨
Would I buy the DMC Gold again? Maybe, if I needed something finer. But for most embroidery projects, I’m Team Sashiko all the way.
💬 Have you tried either of these? Let’s talk needles in the comments! -Samantha