This a rant
By BarBaraPrz
@BarBaraPrz (47867)
St. Catharines, Ontario
January 30, 2013 9:56am CST
Metallic Thread: It's neither metal nor thread, but that's what we call it. It's actually a thin strip of polymer. And it's a big PITA to use!
I decided to put a row of gold xxx around the picture part of what I'm currently working on, between it and the stitched frame around it. If you've ever used this stuff, you know my frustration.
Why on earth do they have to have those two microscopic filaments along with the "gold"? It always separates from the stuff and ends up in a big lump under one stitch. So I just remove it before taking a single stitch. And that first stitch is so difficult to get started. Either the "thread" slips out of the eye of the needle or it refuses to stay anchored. Then it snags all over the place, so you have to use shorter lengths, but that just adds to it slipping out of the eye... Argh!
That's just the regular frustrations with it. Last night, the fourth length I started kept breaking! Why can't they make the stuff a little thicker, sans the extra filaments? Sort of like fishing line.
That's just the regular frustrations with it. Last night, the fourth length I started kept breaking! Why can't they make the stuff a little thicker, sans the extra filaments? Sort of like fishing line.3 people like this
6 responses
@ElicBxn (63666)
• United States
31 Jan 13
I found working with the metallic threads that actually knotting it to the needle eliminates the slipping out of the eye problem but I totally agree about that extra filament!
DMC actually has some - more - real metallic threads rather than the blending filaments http://www.everythingcrossstitch.com/dmc-metallic-cross-stitch-thread-mrl-c10.aspx still have to use much shorter lengths but some of the other problems aren't as bad.
I did a dragon in all metallic for the roommate one Christmas, PITA, but looked LOVELY!
1 person likes this
@BarBaraPrz (47867)
• St. Catharines, Ontario
31 Jan 13
Oh, yeah, the Light Effects. I don't have any, though. I have so much stash to use up before I buy anything new.
I tried the knot thing but it kept undoing! This stuff is particularly unco-operative. But it does set things off.
1 person likes this
@KrauseHome (36447)
• United States
2 Feb 13
Personally, you would think they would use something a little thicker since they usually charge more for the metallic threads like this, so it does make you wonder. Especially since when you use these it adds such a nice added touch. Hope you got it to work for you like you wanted.
1 person likes this
@BarBaraPrz (47867)
• St. Catharines, Ontario
2 Feb 13
I did a bit more of it last night and it seemed to go better. But I have to scroll down to do any more.
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
30 Jan 13
It's not Chinese is it? That will explain a lot.
1 person likes this
@marie2052 (3691)
• United States
31 Jan 13
Oh Barb I hate all that stuff!
I actually got a kit once that had the so called (light effects) When I started to use the stuff it started fraying and breaking and I either put the darn kit up on ebay or threw it away.
I just dont have time to take away from what I can do and what stuff wont allow me to do LOL
I hope you get it over with soon.
I have actually looked at a couple of pieces online that look like using the stuff when it does not contain one bit of it but the way its stitched the affects are breathtaking.
Now you know why Gayle and i do tapestry pieces. We dont have to deal with all the extras and backstitching. Once we make that x we know its completely finsihed!
Good Luck dearie!
1 person likes this
@BarBaraPrz (47867)
• St. Catharines, Ontario
31 Jan 13
It's my own fault. The pattern didn't call for it, but I thought it would set it off, which it does, but yeah, PITA!
