Spit...

Okay !! That sounds right to me.

Lucille

I always thought Thread Heaven just must be over-hyped, that nothing could work that well.

I recently did something where I used a fair amount of silver metallic thread, and on a whim, bought Thread Heaven just before I started it.

IT WAS A MIRACLE! I do not overstate this.

I used the Thread Heaven on the metallic thread, and it worked more smoothly than regular cotton floss. I was amazed. It made the stitching with the metallic thread an absolute joy, and the finished product looked better as well.

And while spit works nicely on cotton floss (I know from experience), it does nothing helpful on metallic thread, at least for me.

I have no affiliation with any product involved in this post except to purchase and use it.

Floss licking wars out of season?

Ladies, that simply ISN'T done!

x-no-archive: yes

What is Thread Heaven made of and what are the long term effects of the residue on the threads? Does anyone know?

Some years ago, the makers of Thread Heaven posted on rctn, and answered all these sorts of questions. If anyone knows how to search the archives, I am sure it can be retrieved. The Smithsonian uses Thread Heaven. HTH,

was kidding about the Thread Heaven, as I've heard lots of good things about it and none of the bad--

--but spit's great!!!

And who made you the boss? I'm going to tell--bwaahhh

;*)) Lucille

I figured, for now, I would praise my own spit since my last attempt at punnage garnered me groans and croaks.

Last night, I was speaking specifically of lathering up a good strand of DMC 746 that wouldn't cover the black linen quite correctly.

On the other hand, my husband and I swapped spit once--and then I ended up going to the hospital some time later and bringing home a baby. I think there was some connection between the two events. It was good.

So. Spit's good.

I just got finished with a struggle for control between me and DMC Rayon. I doubt I would have ever finished if it weren't for a combination of Thread Heaven and SPIT. It was a battle to the end and if it weren't for spit, sometimes right in the middle of using the strand of thread, I might have given up.

If you care to you can try to picture me running the thread delicately over my tongue while it was still attached to the needlepoint, which is still sitting in the frame. Probably not a pretty picture.

I know, someone will probably be wondering why I didn't just frog it and switch to a more user friendly floss. My quick answer, I'm cheap and stubborn--not necessarily in that order.

The only good thing I learned from this is that I will NEVER buy the rayon floss again.

Lucille

I'm sorry, I really have no idea, because it's from a skein I had left over from years ago, no label on it.

All I know is that the Thread Heaven worked wonders.

Besides, Mother's spit is well-known as a universal solvent....

Nothing better -- that is one of life's Great Truths! Grannyspit works pretty well in a pinch, though.

But what about those of us who sometimes, er, "dampen" the leading edge of our floss? Will future forensic scientists be able to identify the stitcher by the DNA traces on the floss?

Felice

I would think that would only be a problem if you're work is so fabulous that there's a fight for who is the rightful heir. Of course, I need not ask if you fit into that category?

RD&H Lucille

The fight over my n'work will rank right up there with the fight for my trunk full of loose diamonds.

Felice

Is that something like the portrait of the first wife wearing gorgeous, expensive jewels and remarking that if she dies first she wants the second wife to spend all her time searching for them?

Lucille

LOL - I don't know if it's a miracle, but it does help. With any of the threads that have a static build-up - definitely smoothes the fuzzies. And I definitely prefer it to spit when using silks.

Yup. The other problem with spit - if you're drinking tea or coffee, and using light, white thread...OR munching chocolate - not that anyone in this crew would do that ;^)

Yeah, ditto.

ellice

While this is quite the picture...next time - try a damp sponge. With rayon, I always pull the thread through a damp sponge, or run the thread over it. That definitely helps.

Whatever works for you - LOL

Of course, never is a long time. Sometimes the rayon has a nice look - but it's hateful to work with. Needle Necessities has a rayon/cotton blend that I've used for some NP. It has a great look - but definitely unravels a bit, but was awesome in a NP piece - I think about the gage of Perle 5.

Happy stitchin all, ellice

I'm going to look at the Needle Necessities thread for future reference. I imagine with the cotton it would be a little less unruly. Part of the problem with this was that it's a very stiff 18 to the inch canvas and even with 4 strands it was getting frayed and less than 4 looked skimpy.

I really think silk is easier to use. More expensive, but definitely not as much of a problem for me.

The piece is finally close to completion and I'll be glad to get it done and in a frame.

Lucille

ps-Why I didn't just get up and get a sponge is because I was too frustrated and I guess you can add lazy to my being cheap and stubborn.

Oh, I hope so! They will determine that much of the work in my archeological dig was stitched by an extremely talented striped domestic shorthair named Miss Kitty.