Page 81 - The World of Cross Stitching (February 2020)

Fiona’s focus
Metallics add decorative sparkle to your projects, but can be tricky.
Follow my tips to make your stitching shine, without the stress
GET TO KNOW YOUR METALLICS
There are many different types of
metallic threads on the market but
they all have something in common
– they tangle, fray and are often
frustrating to stitch with! The thread
you’re using will vary depending on
your project. DMC* Light Effects are
widely available, divisible by six strands
and presented as a skein, just like
their stranded cotton counterparts, so
you can separate the strands to use
in the same way. DMC also produce
a Diamant range, which is a smooth,
single-strand thread on a spool, where
one strand is equivalent to two strands
of DMC stranded cotton. Kreinik* also
have a range of spooled metallics in
a variety of colours and thicknesses,
which are also single-stranded. The
most commonly used in cross stitching
is Kreinik #4 braid – with one strand
equivalent to two strands of cotton.
THREAD LENGTH
Get into the habit of cutting shorter
lengths, ideally approx. 30cm (12in). If
you’re using two strands (such as with
DMC Light Effects) cut a 60cm (24in)
length, separating just one strand
and folding it in half before threading
the looped end through your needle.
Bring the two ends up through the
loop to knot it in place. You’ll then
secure the tail end under the first few
stitches, preventing them from fraying
as they will no longer
be passing back and
forth through the
fabric.
Twinkle, twinkle: Kreinik offer
spools of single-stranded metallics
which are soft and easy to use
www.cross-stitching.com
METALLIC THREADS
THREAD THICKNESS
Always take note of the thread
thickness with regard to needle size
and weave of your fabric. Don’t try
to split your metallic strands if they’re
non-divisible either. Kreinik threads
come in a range of thicknesses, so you
don’t need to use multiple strands. Shine bright: The use of metallic thread really
brings this blushing bride to life. Designed by
Maria Diaz, you can head on over to page 72 to
CONDITION YOUR METALLICS see this beauty’s golden glow for yourself
Thread conditioners, such as Thread
fibre in with the cotton for a sparkly
Magic*, can really help to get your
finish in 35 shimmering shades. They
metallic threads under control. Follow
do tend to fray more than stranded-
the manufacturer instructions for
cottons however, so I’d recommend
instant taming and strengthening.
still using a thread conditioner and
following the same tips.
LET’S TWIST AGAIN
Even if a project doesn’t include
As you stitch, let your needle hang
any metallic threads, there’s no reason
and untwist every so often. This
why you can’t swap some in yourself
is good practise when stitching
and create magical effects. Try
generally, but is especially important
experimenting with these tips and
for metallic threads as you’ll twist the
techniques so that metallics no longer
needle unconsciously whilst stitching,
put you off, and instead open up a
which can cause the thread to kink.
whole new array of possibilities for
including them in your work.
BLENDING
Another option for using metallics is
to blend it with a strand of regular
stranded cotton. The colour numbers
of DMC threads are close matches to
those in its Light Effects range,
making for easy matching.
You could also use Kreinik
Blending Filament to add
a subtle shimmer to your
stranded cottons. This ultra-
thin thread allows you
to use multiple strands
depending on the level of
sparkle you want.
OTHER OPTIONS
Shine like a diamond: Use DMC’s
Give DMC’s Étoile threads a try – these Diamant, pictured here, to add a
six-stranded skeins blend a metallic luminous effect to your stitchy projects
*For stockists see page 90
The World of Cross Stitching 81