Darn metallic Thread!!!

red 5270 green e703 copper 5279 silver e415 dark green 5269

all DMC

This is a large cloth being 100 and something inches long. If I have to coat each thread this is going to be a daunting project. I have several large craft stores nearby if you or anyone has a different brand to suggest?

Thank you so much for replying!

Dana

Try half-hitching the metallic to the eye of the needle. This helps to stop the metallic going its own way. Also keep a bit of tension on the thread, both above and below, with a finger of the non-needle hand. This puts a full stop to all the tangling, though of course you'll need to be working on a frame or standing hoop to have the non-needle hand free.

John

For something that large, I'm certain I'd use something else. Probably either by Kreinik

or Rainbow Gallery although I don't have any conversion information. I'll bet someone on here does though! You will probably want to find a metallic that is at least somewhat washable. I know the really old DMC metals (the color numbers ended with Z) would tarnish. I don't know how the newer ones behave. I can't imagine stitching a tablecloth with a thread that could never be washed though.No matter what you use, you'll still want to go with short lengths to help prevent dulling and fraying. Also frequently check the condition of the eye of your needle--the metals wear on each other and cause damage until the needle, the thread, or both can break. And I'm sure you know to not use your good scissors to cut metallics!

The easiest way I have found to get the effect you want with metallics, is to use something like Kreinek Blending filament. However, dont try mixing this with DMC thread in the needle. Instead, do all the cross stitching the usual way. Then get the metallic,and just go over the top part of the cross with the blending filament. Since the blending filament is always on top, it shows up much more than if it is stitched in with the floss. It is much easier to do the etitching this way. What I suggest is that you get some blending filament and try it, and see if you like the effect. It is still a very good idea to use short lengths of blending filament.

Are you SURE you want to use blending filament on a tablecloth - or, in fact, anything that will need to be washed and ironed? Personally, I wouldn`t risk it. It`s a lot of work for it to end up being spolied by landering.

Pat P

I'll second Donna's recommendation of the Accentuate. My second choice is the Rainbow Gallery Petite Treasure Braid.

Darla said

I'll second who(m)ever mentioned using a half hitch knot near the eye of the needle. The tails of rayons and stranded metallics don't unravel now.

The project I have just started is making me nuts.

Hi Dana... my suggestion would be thus: #1) Spend money -- buy yourself a package of Thread Heaven thread conditioner -- about $2-$3 and your best choice. It doesn't yellow, and will make snarls FAR LESS frequent. Yes, I've used beeswax (I quilt too) but by far, Thread Heaven is the way to go.

This page:

shows what you'll be lookingfor. Also, I would suggest that you use two floss AND one metallic.. I've done (okay, not quite "done" but pretty close!!!) a bucilla Fan pattern

-- the white one with pink flowers --

mine called for three strands of floss. So, I'd go with twofloss PLUS the one metallic.First, start your floss (using the Loop Start method as shown on theNeedle Nook page, then run a few stitches. Next, turn over your pieceand TIE on the Metallic to your current "X", then weave back through tothe "start" of the DMC floss. Now, overstitch until you're at the"current" place. Then, just add in your metallic to the loopie needleand you'll be all set. I've tried the double eye needles and not been successful. Because you're making a piece that will be washed knots are A-OKAY, and quite frankly, advisable. Mother made the Bucilla Red Christmas Tablecloth a few decades back and the parts that she didn't knot have already started to come free. Every year I count on spending a bit of time repairing the table cloth.

One thing you should know is the Gold Metallic she used has mostly failed. (it's brittle/breakes and the stuff didn't hold up well) That said, it is at least 25 years old and has been used every year by us for the month of December so we aren't talking something taken out, used carefully on one day and tucked aside. Ours has a few bits of history and is a treasured memory of meals gone past too.

Good Luck and have fun!

I agree with Jim here - I always do the x-stitch first, then I do the blending filament ... BUT I just do a half x-stitch with the BF - it gives me the effect I like - *just enough*. Good luck.

Sharon (N.B.)

Personal preference. I'll often put two strands of BF into the needle along with my floss. The peekaboo effect as it sometimes comes to the top, and sometimes is under the floss (I don't railroad) works for me. It's a little more sparkle than just one strand, but it's not overwhelming. And a lot faster than having to stitch the section twice, once with floss and a second time with BF.

And believe me, stitching that d**n wizard once with BF in darn near every stitch was quite enough, without having to go back over him with the BF afterward!

Thank all of you so very much for your help. I followed all your links, many are now saved! I think I am simply NOT going to use the metalic thread at all. I hadn't really thought the whole washing and ironing issue through. I guess I just assumed they would be the same as the regular thread.

I have made many pillow cases and have learned to knot them well so they hold up over many washings. I will do the same with the tablecloth. I am going to try some of the stuff you run the thread though to stop tangling, I had not heard of it before.

So I will be saving the metalic thread for smaller projects that won't be washed!

Dana :)

Dana Compton wrote: > So I will be saving the metalic thread for smaller projects that won't

I find this topic thread interesting because I have a lovely tea cloth that is stamped cross stitch on linen with a flat gold thread that runs throughout the pattern. It is at least 50 years old and has been washed and bleached many, many, many times. The gold thread is still as good as new. I've often wondered what it is made of, as I have crocheted using gold and silver threads and found that it won't take washing very well. Of course, I haven't tried all brands, either!

Dianne

Metallic threads make beautiful ornaments....

Or you can use it on an accent, rather than the whole thing. You mentioned Christmas pattern, but not which one.

I haven't commented as yet as I didn't want to lead you to not using metallics, but a tablecloth is large undertaking. I did a 60", round one, that had 4 'corner' motifs, 12 smaller motifs around the edge and more intense centre motif. That took a year to stitch as my only project (and 5 years to stitch one of the corner motifs while not my primary project).

Tara

This one has ornaments and ribbons, it's bucilla. It's not a really intense/busy one. There is quite a bit of cloth and the border is not solid. I was actually a little unhappy that there was not more of a pattern on it when it arrived. But it will be a nice first tablecloth project. When I do pillowcases I do about one case a week so this project shoulod move right along. I bought the matching napkins and then became dismayed when I realized (duh LOL) that the stitching would show on the back of the napkin. So I am using beads and sequins and white thread so the thread on back is not so obvious.

Dana

To state the obvious, if the gold really is gold, the chemical Au, then *nothing* will do it any harm. The problem arises when something is used to imitate gold or silver. What is used to imitate gold will dictate what happens when it is washed etc.