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Specialty Floss and Threads for Cross Stitch & Needlework
There
has been an explosion of different types of floss and threads used in
needlework and cross stitch. There are many wonderful textures and
colors to choose from. Silk, metallic, rayon, linen, filaments,
wire, satin, etc. We try to carry a large variety of the specialty
floss and threads available that are used in many of the current cross
stitch patterns on the market.
Kreinik
threads, originally known as
Balger, are a cross stitch and needlework floss that comes on a spool. The side of the spool can be
snapped off and on. Snap the end off to find the start of the thread/floss.
Snap it back on to secure the rest of the thread. Kreinik
threads come in a variety of colors and styles.
Blending
Filaments are very fine threads/floss and are somewhat difficult to
use. They fray easily, so use care when stitching with them.
Use short lengths of thread when stitching. Blending filaments can
be used alone or combined with other floss to create a highlight effect.
There are also
Kreinik Braids
and ribbons which come in several different widths like
#4,
#8,
#1, #5,
#7, #1/8th and #1/16.
etc. that are
used in cross stitch. These are thicker than the filaments and are a
bit easier to use. They can be very abrasive when pulled through your
fabric, so use short lengths of thread/floss to avoid too much pulling.
There is also a product called
Thread Heaven Conditioner that you can use to smooth the Kreinik
floss before use.
Some categories of Kreinik threads are high luster (HL), glow
in the dark (F), cord (C), vintage (V), Japan (J), cable (P),
and
holographic (L).. For example, BF024HL is
blending filament 024, with a high luster. The holographic floss
is new and very interesting.
Glissen
Gloss is another product line of metallic threads and floss. They come
wrapped on a bobbin and are easy to use. The
Rainbow blending thread is a metallic blending filament wrapped with and supported by nylon fiber, for
unbeatable strength, integrity, and memory. It will not stretch or break
according to the manufacturer. Many patterns call for the use of
Rainbow blending filaments. They are available in 52 sparkling
colors.
Glissen Gloss also has a product called
Estaz.
It is similar to the garland on a Christmas tree in that it is fuzzy.
It's soft core is wrapped with evenly clipped strands to create
fullness. It adds texture to you cross stitch piece.
Be careful where you hide your Estaz because husbands like to use it to
create fishing lures. Glissen Gloss also has a beautiful like of
silk cross stitch floss that is varigated. It is called
Colorwash Silk floss.
DMC pearl
cotton floss is used for projects like Hardanger embroidery, embroidery,
and needlepoint. Pearl cotton floss comes in all the same colors as the DMC Mouline 6 stranded floss. Pearl cotton comes in different
sizes. Pearl cotton floss comes in a few different sizes in skeins
and balls. The typical sizes are 5, 8 and 12.
A highly mercerized, non-divisible, lustrous 100% cotton thread on a
twisted skein. DMC Pearl Cotton skeins are available in two sizes - 3
and 5 (the higher the thread size, the finer/thinner the thread).
Size 5 (Art. 115/5) is available in 27 yard skeins in 292 solid and 20
variegated colors. It is ideal to use for cross-stitch, embroidery,
needlepoint, hardanger, blackwork, redwork, pulled thread, smocking,
applique and many types of creative stitchery.
Pearl Cotton Variations (Art. 415)
Pearl Color
Variations, DMC's new specialty thread. Pearl Cotton Variations is a
lustrous multi-color, highly mercerized, non-divisible thread with an
over-dyed look. Available in 36 beautiful shades with 27 yards per
twisted skein. Each skein of Pearl Cotton Variations is a
combination of current DMC colors, allowing stitchers to coordinate
Pearl Cotton Variations with DMC Pearl Cotton to create beautiful
designs with colors that compliment one another perfectly.
Pearl Cotton Variations is 100% Colorfast, Fade Resistant, and offers
guaranteed Color Consistency from one skein to another. It is
ideal to use for cross-stitch, embroidery, needlepoint, hardanger,
blackwork, redwork, pulled thread, smocking, applique and many other
types of creative stitchery.
Caron
Collection Waterlilies Silk Floss. A twelve-ply hand-dyed
variegated silk. It gives a subtle sheen when stitched and has
particularly good light reflection qualities. Use a single ply for very
fine work or as many plies as necessary to suit stitch and ground
fabric. Many of the colors match Watercolours and Wildflowers, but
because the silk fibers take the dye differently, they may be more
subdued. Some of the Mirabilia patterns call for Waterlilies
floss. It is a very unique floss for cross stitch.
Caron
Collection Wildflowers. A single strand hand-dyed cotton in
variegated colors. It has more of a matte finish when stitched. Use one
or more strands as required by the ground fabric. One strand is
approximately the same weight as flower thread or Medicis wool. It is
between a #8 and #12 pearl cotton in weight. It is available in all the
same colors as Watercolours and the two threads can be used very
successfully together for Hardanger embroidery. Can be used for bobbin
work on quilts.
DMC
Light Effects is made in France. It is a 6 ply metallic floss.
You can use it just like DMC's standard Mouline' Stranded floss (their
main brand of floss). You can separate the strands and use 2 for a
typical cross stitch, or more strands depending on your needs. DMC
suggests Light Effects:
DMC
Light Effects is a line of 36 glistening specialty threads that will add
reflective qualities to any needlework or craft project. The gorgeous
shades include Precious Metals, Jewels, Antiques, and Pearlescent
shades, plus trendy Fluorescents and Glow-in-the-Dark tones.
Weeks Dyed Works floss is a hand over-dyed, 6 stranded cotton
fiber floss. It comes in an extensive array of colors. Some solid and
some variegated. The color changes are very subtle for a soft
effect. Several Mirabilia patterns call for Weeks Dyed Works
floss. I keep most in stock, but it takes awhile to reorder, so they can
take a few weeks to come in at times.
Valdani floss. 6Ply floss Skeins - Superb Hand-Overdyed colors in
Cotton Floss. It comes in 121 colors. Most are
variegated.
NeedlePaints floss
by Lavender and Lace (distributed by Wichelt) are being manufactured once
again. We were pleased to see them come back into
production. They are a made of 100% Egyptian cotton and are
divisible. They come in beautiful rich shades of Robbins Egg
Blue, Orchid and Lavender/Blue. They are made specifically for
several of Lavender and Laces patterns.
DMC
Color Infusions Memory Thread is made in France by DMC.
It is a soft fiber wrapped copper wire. It allows you to add
color, dimension and texture to your needlework or cross stitch.
Memory Thread is colorfast, fade resistant and acid free. It is
hand wrapped on a recyclable shuttle for easy use. You can reuse
the shuttle to hold other thread on it when you are finished with the
Memory Thread that comes on it. DMC Memory Thread comes in 36
vibrant colors. Memory Thread, when used for
needlework, is applied to the surface once the project is near
completion. It is not intended to be threaded in a needle. Rather,
Memory Thread is couched or tacked down to the project. The ends can be
pushed through to the back side (through an enlarged hole) or they can
be crimped back on themselves and stitched down on the front.
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