"Thread Heaven" & metallics

Everyone but me uses Thread Heaven.

My method of working with Kreinik blending filament is NOT approved by Kreinik, but too bad... Take a bit of the bright red BF, because that's where you can most easily see what I'm talking about -- for some reason, the red BF has a black carrier thread. That extreme contrast will help you figure out this next move for those colors where the carrier thread is a better match.

Scootch the carrier thread down a smidge so that you can grab the very end of the metallic portion with a fingernail or tweezers. Now, with one hand, pull the metallic this-a-way, while with the other hand easing the carrier that-a-way. The first few times, do it slowly, but you'll eventually learn how fast you can do it without tangling.

Kreinik says the carrier thread is there to add strength. It's my experience, from having stitched miles and miles of BF, that the carrier thread is more likely to break and knot up than the metallic.

You will have to work with shorter lengths of the metallics than you'd use with cotton floss, whether you strip the carrier thread off or not.

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> Deborah

I don't use metallics very often, but on he occasions when I did, Tread Heaven certainly helped to "tame" the threads!! I would personally recommend it from my limited experience!

Gillian

Many years ago, the makers of Thread Heaven posted on rctn. I dont know for how long our archives are available, but if anyone knows how to find this exchange, it could be of interest. My main memory is that Thread Heaven is completely safe to use; the Smithsonian uses it. HTH.

I'll see if I can bring it up within the archives. I have been amazed at how some of those old group messages still come up, even out on the web.

Deborah

On Thu, 20 Sep 2007 04:11:11 -0700, thistletoes opined:

My mind was running the same way -

It has recently been brought to our attention that our product, Thread Heaven Thread Conditioner has been the subject of some discussion with this group. Unfortunately, much MIS-information has been exchanged, and I would like to correct this, as well as answer any questions about Thread Heaven that readers may have. First, as to the composition of Thread Heaven. It is a silastic elastomer. It is a proprietary, patented formula and, while it falls roughly within the same chemical family as silicone, it was developed specifically for use with fiber and thread and the process insures the removal of all silicone oils. It has been tested extensively by our company, as is required by law before a patent is issued, and by independent testing labs. In all cases it was found to be safe and beneficial, not only to the user, but to the materials on which it was used. The question was raised as to whether Thread Heaven leaves a "residue" on thread. The answer is yes, since that is precisely what it is intended to do. The important issue is whether that residue, in this case the coating on the thread, is beneficial or detrimental. Thread Heaven was developed with TWO purposes in mind: to make working with threads of all types easier, AND to increase the lifetime of the finished piece. It was specifically developed to stay with the thread as long as possible so as to continue protecting the thread from adverse environmental factor such as sun light, humidity, heat, etc. for years to come. It does not evaporate, it does not melt, it does not chemically react with dyes, or coatings and for these reasons it is decidedly beneficial, and is currently being used by the restoration department of 17 major institutions world wide, including the Smithsonian. I am sure some of you have other questions concern this new product and I would be more than happy to answer any of them at any time, either here or by contacting snipped-for-privacy@threadheaven.com. Thank you, Roni Hennen, partner Adam Beadworks, manufacturers of Thread Heaven Thread Conditioner

Following up, I found quite a lot of conversations back to year 2000 as James suggested. However, one post (May 19 2000) by Roni Hennen of Adam Beadworks caught my eye. She talked about life span of floss being 5-25 years and that TH would help with drag. She said, in her very long post, "Take a close look at the last few inches of one of those 2 1/2 yard lengths of floss that we all like to use. All tattered and frayed, a mere shadow of its former self!! Its already gone through the first 75 of its 100 years. Thread Heaven greatly reduces thread drag."

Frankly, I couldn't manage a piece of thread 90 " long (2 1/2 yards). I would have it tangled around my toes, the cat and knots and loops everywhere. The most I ever pull off is about 18. I hope Roni was being facetious but I'm not sure. I have samplers that are beyond the

25 year mark and they look as good now as the day I stitched them, all without the benefit of any floss amendment. Of course, they don't get direct sun, I don't smoke and my house air is dry, not moist and moldy. As for taming those metallics and bf, I will give it a try someday when I get to a store that sells it since I see some of you like it. Meantime, I'll try Karen's suggestion as it costs nothing. :-)

Deborah

I have my great grandmothers sampler, finished in 1853, and still going strong. The thread used is perfect but the fabric is 'dingy' but best advice from a conservation person was to leave it alone as the purples and reds used will often run.

That said, the reference is to todays floss which maybe will not endure, who knows ?

What does Thread Heaven feel like on your hands? To be honest, I'm very strange for the female of the species - I do not like the feel of any lotions, creams, etc. OTOH, metallic threads drive me batty. I might use TH depending on the feel of it.

Thanks! Allura

I think Roni intended "two 1/2 yard lengths of floss", that is two lenghts of 1/2 yard each...That would be a normal length!

Elena

I'm with you. I can't stand the feel of anything gooky on my hands and for me the introduction of Purell was one of the greatest inventions of this century.

I use Thread Heaven on metallics and find it not to be a problem at all. You really don't have to touch it at all, but if you do you won't find it greasy or heavy.

Lucille

>

LOL I'm sure you're right.

Deborah

I'm intrigued by Karen's suggestion, too. I'll have to give it atry. I've never used Thread Heaven, because it's hard to get here. I use beeswax instead. You can buy it anywhere that carries sewing notions, and it comes in a little plastic disk with slots. It works well to tame metallics, and I've never had a problem with it damaging the threads. The other thing I love it for is when I'm stitching using waste canvas and I have to go through a layer of heavy fabric. It coats the thread so that it doesn't start to wear and it helps the thread slip through really easily, so that the project goes faster. Hope that helps.

Louisa

I used to use beeswax until someone pointed out that the stuff sticks to your fibers (often even after being washed). It's stays a bit "tacky" and attracts and holds minute bits of dust which forms a coating on your floss! This isn't a problem with stuff like clothing and linens that get laundered frequently and often in fairly hot water so that the wax is eventually washed away. Even though we frame stuff, dust can still work it's way under the glass and sticks to the fibers. If you want to try Thread Heaven, just post here offering to do a swap. Most all of us in the States are up for trading a little box of TH for some sort of fun thing from wherever you happen to reside :-). CiaoMeow >^;;^<

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