Wax

At the Nashville market I was given an attractive scented circle of wax -- it came in a kit. What is its use? I assume it's to wax threads, but why would you want to do that?

TIA, Monica Ferris

Reply to
Monica Ferris
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If it's beeswax - you pull the thread through it to 'tame' the thread. Particularly useful for silk threads.

Reply to
lucretiaborgia

Wasing threads is the traditional way to smooth the fuzzies, and more importantly impart strength to the thread. When doing things when you really want to tighten with a thread, waxing the strand enhances the threads ability to handle tension and not snap. I learned to use it when lacing a frame - using cotton thread and tightening it so the thread is under a good amount of stress. Sometimes it's used in pulled work, especially if pulling on canvas.

Since Thread Heaven, a thread conditioner, came on the market about 9 years ago IIRC, many stitchers use that for smoothing the fuzzies, cutting down on the static electricity which some threads have. Personally, I keep a couple of blocks of Thread Heaven around and use one for more fuzzy type threads (wool/silk blends, wools) and another for silks, rayon. I find that it really helps with some threads, letting them glide a little smoother thru fabric, or keeping down the kinking. I don't often use it with cotton floss, except some overdyes. Thread Heaven was tested some years back, and is archival, but doesn't do anything to increase the strength of the thread.

In some stitching applications the designer or instructor may specify to use real wax - say in doing a pulled stitch, or a border like nun stitch when constructing something like a needlebook - where the thread needs to be as sturdy as possible, and strength, not smoothness is the issue. At other times you may see the suggestion to wax or condition your threads - when the purpose is control, sleekness, etc.

The traditional tool for hundreds of years has been the little wax blocks. I think those of us who love the traditional needlearts, tend to love having little trinkets such as lovely wax blocks. So, guilty, I do have a few pretty little waxers - swans, a rabbit - and I use them when they suit the job. And carry Thread Heaven as well. With the scented waxers, it's good to be careful as some are really heavily scented, and can impart that to any textiles they're used with.

So, more than you wanted to know, but hey - you are famous for doing fine research!

Ellice in No Virginia

Reply to
ellice

uh-oh...now you've done it. That tidbit might just may pop up in a future plot! (You heard it here first, folks!)

sue

Reply to
Susan Hartman

I've read suggestions here on using wax for floss. I don't think so! Unless, as suggested . . . perhaps . . . for some pulled work.

Normally, waxing threads was/is used in hand sewing. Or lacing works to a frame. Wax on floss would mean dirt on floss. Reading the responses here, I've never heard of it being used on floss for normal embroidery.

Dianne

Reply to
Dianne Lewandowski

ROFLMAO - that's why I left the misspell in the beginning - 'cause then we'll know about wasing threads vs waxing them. Couldn't just be my sloppy typing ;^)

It is a good question, however, although Sheena did the succinct answer.

When I was still managing the LNS, we had a customer who had become a canvas (mostly painted) addict over about 6 months. And had taken 1 class somewhere. Anyhow, I suggested she get some Thread Heaven to use with some threads she wanted to stitch in a painted piece, as she was complaining about handling them. Her response "ummm, that's new stuff and I heard that the only thing to use is wax because that's what they've used for hundreds of years." Well, yup, but, well, they weren't stitching with rayon then. I did bite my tongue and refrain from asking her if she walked or took a carriage to work (funny as this is a comp sci type older woman). I understand the regard for tradition, but as tools come along, well, we do use them in many other parts of life, so..... Needless to say, about a year later I see this customer at a guild function, and amazingly, she has been convinced to try the "new stuff."

All this stitching talk, making me think I could sneak in some time away from tax land to go stitch. You can tell that I'm sitting on the computer 'cause while things grind and print it's my opportunity to chat.

Ellice

Reply to
ellice

Just to clarify, I've used the thread conditioner stuff, i.e. Thread Heaven, in embroidery, and never had an issue with picking up dirt. It doesn't have the sticky thing that could sometimes happen with wax, ending up attracting dirt. I think that with the conditioner as it works by discharging static electricity that would help with minimizing the attraction of dirt particles to the thread.

My experience was being instructed to use wax on cotton thread in framing up, and in some other instances doing pulled work - in both a Japanese embroidery class, and some non-traditional canvas work. Cotton thread (not necessarily floss) and silks as well.

Good point about the hand sewing, it's certainly used in hand tailoring applications. Of course we all have different experiences, it's interesting to compare. As Sheena said referring to using it to tame silk, I know other people that totally prefer using wax with silk, which I don't do at all for "embroidery." But, it's what works for the stitcher.

Ellice

Reply to
ellice

LOL - honestly, I thought Sue was referring to our opinions ending up on Sewgirls.... Totally missed the plot to Betsy connection. I'm soooooo slow.

Of course, as DH is making jokes about going to Leavenworth as we deal with fixing this amended taxes thing, the " Ellice goes to jail, goes directly to jail, does not pass Go, does not collect $200" scenario would be just in line with the rest of my life (including fall at work, waiting for workmen's comp insurer to talk to doctor so I can go see him, etc).

One year someone ( I think one of the Italian designers) did some scented holiday themed big waxers, including a pine scent. And they were large - about 3" diameter. The scent was so strong that we kept trying to move them around the shop so that they weren't lingering into all the fabric. Even in the plastic wrappers. And then the distributor (Access) that carries a lot of the English needles, Au Ver a Soie, and other goodies came out with these beautiful bright white wax cakes that looked like candy sitting in a little foil mini-muffin cup. Beautiful.

Hmmmm. So on the plot - could the culprit be able to strangle someone with a thread normally not strong enough, yet the lingering bits of wax give the clue that the thread was....so to speak...waxed up (steroids just don't work). Hard to imagine strangulation by DMC.

Ellice

Reply to
ellice

LOL - how twisted we all are..... I could use you in talking to the comp carriers from work so that I can go to the doctor in the aftermath of falling at work on slick floor - while managing to not spill incredibly hot drink. Now that it's been 3 days, and the yet another adjuster called to say that I can't go to my ortho, but instead she has to research and decide what/to whom I should take my little sprained ankle and hand. Honestly.

Ellice

Reply to
ellice

Ah, something I do quite frequently. Actually, after talking to the less than thrilling person this afternoon - who told me "I have to do interviews, I just got your file, and well, usually we send people to a walk-in" and explaining that I expected to hear back from her today I did beter. Called the company I actually work for, and amazingly actually got the person in HR who handles comp stuff. And she clearly pulled up the report from my manager - whose fault my spill was. So, she was going to call the carrier person, and do some research - evidently in VA the employer has the right to specify the doctor you go to that will accept the insurance carrier. Of course, funnily enough, I know that my ortho would. And so the person from the company is supposed to call me back with a list of providers. I made clear my displeasure.

LOL - this is so true. When I was temping at the huge medical group warehouse, there is a station of a assistants that are supposed to make the calls giving patient their test results. There is a separate group of Nurse Practitioners that actually do advising, appropriately. But, over at the we're calling with your lab results desk it amazed me when some of these uneducated people would start elaborating on medical treatments, etc. Sometimes one of the NPs would be there, or a doc, which was fine. But it was stunning how some didn't see the problem in dispensing advice based upon nothing.

Ah, yeah, well - that's the next place as of course the sprained ankle is indeed on the foot/ankle which I fondly refer to as "the bad one" - so bad that my ortho out here told me that he could deal with the bone spur and plantar fasciaitis on the "good" leg, but WRT my left "you should go back to your doctor downtown" for any further issues/corrections. Nice when the joint is so scary a prominent ortho doesn't want to get into it.

Good idea. Plus, heck, I can always get DB the lawyer to send letters. I'm just annoyed 'cause I really shouldn't be working on my feet right now, and, well, at this rate it will be a miracle if I can get into a doctor tomorrow, and, well, if I get time off, they have to pay me, and of course I can't call out of work unless there's a reason. Ugh. While for the most part I have fun at work, of late....less so. There is a drawback to working for a manager who while personable is kind of an idiot WRT management things.

Ellice

Reply to
ellice

Since other people have answered your questions, I'd just like to say: WELCOME BACK!!!! We've missed you!

Joan

(jumping on the bandwagon here) This post copyrighted 2010 by Joan Erickson (aka NDJoan). Not to be distributed beyond RCTN under penalty of law. If you are reading this post on any other website, please notify me of the copyright infringement.

Reply to
Joan E.

Good to be back.

Mary Monica aka Monica Ferris

Reply to
Monica Ferris

Hi Monica (love your books by the way)- I used the wax on quilting thread when hand quilting. My grandmother once told me that in the old days she used to put spools of thread in a pot of melted wax and once it had soaked through and dried she & her sister's would quilt with it. Don't know if this helps any but look forward to the next plot!

Reply to
Sandy Bell

Wax on quilting thread does two things: 1) it helps keep the thread from twisting and knotting, and 2) by coating the fibers, it keeps them from fraying as they're pulled through the various layers, thus keeping the thread strong. Thread Heaven works just as well.

Unfortunately, nothing saves quilting threads from a cat's claws :( Miss Scarlett managed to snap several on my lap rug even tho I keep her claws trimmed. And somehow my repairs just don't look quite as nice as my original quilting .......

Reply to
Fran

I don't often wax threads, but the other day dh got the zipper stuck on his winter jacket. A good (YKK) zipper which I did not want to destroy, so got out my handy dandy little round wax cake and rubbed it up and down all sides of the zipper. A good waxing, a little manipulation and voila! a properly working zipper again.

Olwyn Mary in New Orleans.

Reply to
Olwyn.Mary

My mom always used to rub a pencil on stuck zippers. The graphite in them does the trick, too.

Joan

Reply to
Joan E.

Me too Joan - one always has a pencil around but not necessarily bees wax.

Reply to
lucretiaborgia

Graphite is pretty slippery stuff - Wise Cub Scout parents use a pencil to "grease" the wheels that come with the PineCar Derby kits.

C
Reply to
Cheryl Isaak

But unless you are very careful, pencil lead can leave a nasty dark stain on light fabrics next to the zipper. I find wax much safer, and the excess if any can be easily rubbed off.

Olwyn Mary in New Orleans

Reply to
Olwyn.Mary

My mum always used pencil, and I did it for my kids too. Now, if I was silly enough to dress a small youngster in white.................well another kettle of fish

Reply to
Gillian Murray

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