Real Metal Threads?

Catherine...

obviously I would like the same information you are seeking but I also wanted to ask you and others a question along the same vein..

is there a good resource you've found for working with metal threads and filaments? I'd like to find an illustrated book about it that is rather advanced but even a website would be good.

TIA, KCat

Goldwork - Revised and Expanded Edition Valerie Campbell-Harding Jane Lemon and Kit Pyman ISBN 0 85532 778 2

Royal School of Needlework Embroidery Techniques Sally Saunders, Anne Butcher and Debra Barrett

ISBN 0 7134 8401 2

Most of what I've done has been self-taught, but that is changing as I have signed up for one of the EGAs Master Craftsman programs :) One of the of the nice things I was sent was a pretty comprehensive bibliography. As I have to make sure I do the work as it should be done to get through each of the steps (as opposed to my own unique way of doing things by teaching myself), I am taking an individual correspondence course in metal work through the EGA to make certain that I am on the right page :)

I am still in the process of checking the bibliography out, but I did find a gem by the name of *Metal Thread Embroidery: Tools, Materials and Techniques* by Jane Lemon. Amazon carries it for around 30.00. It is a pretty comprehensive listing of all things connected with metal thread embroidery, as well as diagrams and *how to* diagrams in some instances.

I haven't found much useful on the Internet, though that may only mean I just haven't found what is there. I have managed to find a lot of images of metal thread embroidery, some sites selling materials, and that was pretty much the limit of it.

If I find something I will post it, and please do the same.

Catherine K.

You don't say where you are, which country, but in Canada Carolyn of Mrs. Twitchett's Eye is excellent. If she doesn't have it, she can get it very quickly and her prices are standard

and Tanja Berlin of carries everything too - she was trained at the Royal School of Needlework and does fantastic goldwork and silk needle painting.

YMMV, but I didn't find this book really helpful for goldwork. Great pictures, and it gave me some wonderful ideas for silk shading (which I dearly love to do). I just didn't find it all that helpful for metal work.

Of course, that doesn't mean that someone else wouldn't find it to be his or her favorite book, so there you go :)

Catherine K.

On Sun, 07 Aug 2005 19:57:28 +0000, Lucretia Borgia wrote: Thanks!

Thanks! I didn't know that Tanja Berlin carried goldwork supplies - I was aware of her website but not for this, thanks! I will check out the other one as well.

I should have said, I am in the US (Indiana).

Catherine K.

What I get for not looking at the book before posting :) I had this book confused with another one, there is some very nice goldwork ideas in this book. Sorry for any confusion :)

Catherine K.

Tanja is just north of you in Alberta.

The main raison d'etre for the Royal School of Needlework is that at anytime they must have enough qualified stitchers to stitch the coronation robes of the next monarch, given a few months working time. Those robes consist mainly of complicated raised goldwork and jewels stitched to fabric. So this is where most goldworkers come from.

I found the book most informative, as well as also on other subjects such as silk needlepainting.

I did a gold work course there a couple of years ago and I shall never forget the set of altar cloths being stitched for Wells Cathedral in the workshops which we toured as part of our course. It was the Millennium Project for Wells Cathedral and we knew we were looking on something that will be marvelled over in the year 3000. Some of the work was raised about six/seven inches off the cloth in order to create an effect visible down the length of a cathedral aisle.

The RSN and gold work are synonymous.

That's good to know, but I doubt that I can afford her prices... She is quite a bit more expensive than some other suppliers that I have found, but I haven't ruled her out. It may be that she has better quality, or not as the case may be, time will tell.

Anyway, thanks a lot, and if you know of any others, please post them!

Catherine K.

Have a care, all are not created equal and I do know her's are exactly what they claim to be. I (and others) have not found a cheaper, better alternative.

That's good to know, I will keep your advice in mind :) Personal experience means a lot, which is why I posted here for advice.

Have you ever used Krenik's metal threads?

Catherine

Yes but not for gold or silverwork. I have used their braids etc. for temari balls and found them fine. Sometimes used their finer metal threads incorporated into crewel or other projects.

For gold or silver work, I use the perl perl, brights etc. and if Krenik make them, I have not seen them so can't give an opinion.

I did have some Japan threads from Krenik at one point, silver ones, and they were okay. I am not too fond of silver threads as the framing becomes a problem, if not securely framed, they will tarnish. At least with gold threads one can frame without glass etc. for a better effect and know the brightness will never leave.

Wow, sounds like it was quite an experience! I was going by memory of that book, and really, all I could remember from the book was a wonderful silk shaded Iris... however, it has been a long time since I have seen the book and I wasn't much interested in goldwork at the time.

Since we started this thread this afternoon I have found some online images from the book's goldwork section and yes, it would be a wonderful book to have (which sparked my earlier retraction).

My main interest in metal threads is for liturgical purposes - as in Eastern Orthodox - Byzantine/Russian liturgical goldwork is different than in the West, and I am really looking forward to working on a few things for my parish :)

I have browsed several books on gold work for liturgical purposes, but in the library and not particularly noticing their titles I am afraid.

The iris was done in blackwork, silk needlepainting and also gold work in the book. Ruby - a poster here who is away in San Diego at the moment - professed an interest in maybe doing all three - I think they would make a lovely trio.

It was the silk that got my attention, I love working with silk. I LIKE the idea of a trio...

I had borrowed the book from the EGA National's library. I think perhaps I might need to add it to my shelves on a more permanent basis :)

Catherine K.

I have bought but have not used metal threads from Threadneedle Street (the project is still in the wings), but I can say that all of my dealings with Denise have left me very satisfied. If I have to buy on the web, I go to Threadneedle Street first.

Elizabeth

But are the prices you're looking at in US$ or Cdn$? If they're in Canadian, then (depending on the exchange rate du jour), you can discount them 1/4 to 1/3.

Ask Linn Skinner about goldwork books.