Hello everybody, I have another question today. I'm not sure if somebody asked it before. It is about metallic thread. I went to Walmart and saw the metallic thread... (more inside)

Letvia, darling, if you want to sew with metallic, and we all DO and SHOULD, be sure to purchase an embroidery specific brand of thread. If it doesn't say embroidery thread, it isn't. Trust me when I say don't scrimp on metallic. It is beautiful, but has a set of quirks all it's own. You must use a specific needle, a Metallic needle which has a longer eye to accomondate the metallic thread. Also, when it comes off the spool, it should be upright, not winding sideways off the spool OR I just use a packing peanut. I use a sewing needle to take the thread through the peanut and position it at the back of the machine at the point the thread enters the machine and that keeps it from twisting. Metallic thread always twists. That stops it. I also put a bead of Sewers Aid around the spool of thread and then YES, YES, YES, I can sew anything in metallic and watch it sparkle! Don't be put off by all of the particulars, it really is worth it and if you do the above, you won't have any less hair when you finish than you did when you started.....I learned the hard way! ;)

1 comment

by letvia 14 Apr 2008

Thank you jrob, but I have a brother se270d and the thread is in a place that I can not use the packing peanut. Flower and XoXo

I work at Walmart. will not over rate them or any thing. I have bought and have used there metallic thread.I personally don't care for it "IF "it is the one that says looks green but has sort of the white thread running through it. Or any other color with the thread running through it It does stitch out ok but not as bright and pretty as some of the others I have used. Do use the bigger eyed needle and you should be fine. Warm hugs and flowers to all

1 comment

by letvia 14 Apr 2008

Thank you tmbache. I love Walmart and always wanted to work at one. Flower and XoXo

Make sure you use a metallic needle. I have done embroidery with metallic, and have done FSL in metallic also - some brands of thread are better than others. I usually have to slow my machine down.

1 comment

by letvia 14 Apr 2008

Thank you dlonna. Flower and XoXo

The larger the spool, the fewer problems you usually have. The smaller the spool, the tighter the thread is wound, and you end up with what looks like a phone cord (remember those!). Also, use a good spray of silicone on the spool (spray outside, away from your machine and fabric). This will lubricate the thread slightly. I have found silicone spray at Hancock Fabrics, it's made by Sullivans, although I'm sure there are other brands out there. The thread should come off the spool horizontally, not vertically. Hope this helps.

2 comments

by libster2896 09 Apr 2008

wonderful advice, thank you and flowers. I have just started using metallic thread, so any hints are great. did not know about the spool size, but am old enough to remember curly phone cords.LOL

by letvia 14 Apr 2008

Thank you joflip. You gave great advices. And yes I remember the phone cord jajaja. Flower and XoXo

in machine embroidery, metallic thread is difficult to use. you can use a 90/14 sized needle, and put your machine on slow mode, otherwise it will break and tangle. it will tangle anyhow, but on slow it will do it less. if hand embroidering, let it dangle after every 3rd stitch or so, so it will not tangle so much. as far as regular sewing, good luck with that: i have never had luck in a regular sewing machine! does this help any?

1 comment

by letvia 14 Apr 2008

Thank you dwb. Flower and XoXo

I have used regular sewing threads, metalic and otherwise (just got my first genuine "Embroidery threads" finally today). Pls use the proper metalic needle as it does make a difference and these threads are usually thicker so you can't downsize the designs as well. *4U

1 comment

by letvia 14 Apr 2008

Thank you Joanie. Flower and XoXo

don't forget the proper needle with the larger eye for metallics.

1 comment

by letvia 09 Apr 2008

Thank you libster. I didn't know I need a different needle. Flower and XoXo

...and I wanted to buy it but doesn't say they are for embroidery. Is that ok or it has to say that specially to use in embroidery machines? And may I use them with any design? It is another of my foolish questions? jajaja. Thank you in advance

3 comments

by libster2896 09 Apr 2008

Maybe post the details of the thread, brand, description, whatever is on the package, on here and see if anyone is familiar with it before you purchase. *4U

by rubiesnana 09 Apr 2008

On the metallic,I use a product called sewers aid,I put a line of it around the thread before i sew,seems to soften thread,the small bottle is 5.49,I think,got it at jo-anns fabric

by jrob 09 Apr 2008

rubiesnana, I SWEAR by it! Can't seem to sew metallic without it and a packing peanut!;)