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Post by flicstarstudios on Jun 25, 2012 3:02:56 GMT
Hi All, I'm working my way through rosiepink's "Meadows" felt from the 'Creating Felt Artwork' ebook. It's great fun - thanks rosiepink.
I'm getting up to the machine embroidery phase, and since I'm new to it all I don't have any thread that I think is appropriate.
I've been doing some googling about threads. I'm looking for advice on the thread count/weight to use with felt. I assume thicker is going to be better on felt?
Should I avoid the metallics or are they good for highlights? Should I be sticking with rayon or is polyester okay?
Since I need to buy a variety of colours, I don't want to break the bank - does anyone know of any online sources where I could perhaps buy a pack or kit with several different colours? Or am I dreaming?
Also, is a length of 100 going to be plenty, or should I get a 200?
Any advice is appreciated! Thanks in advance.
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Post by lyn on Jun 25, 2012 9:07:11 GMT
Glad you're finding 'Creating Felt Artwork' fun! Thicker thread is not always best and good quality polyester is fine. Metallics are great for highlights and you can hand sew, but if you want to use metallics in your machine here are some tips: softexpressions.com/help/faq/faqmetallicthread.html100m is not very much when it's running through a machine - 200m is an ideal minimum. The smaller the quantity you buy the dearer it is per metre. Think about what colours you want to use on your project and just buy those. Each time you make something you will buy more colours and the longer you sew the bigger your stash of colours will get. This link may be useful. www.barnyarns.co.uk/It's a company called 'Barnyarns' and if you scroll down the left-hand column on the home page you will see a section called 'Useful Information'. To reduce thread costs you can use white or black bobbinfil in your bobbin - it also means that when you change your top thread you don't have to change the bobbin as well. (Of course this is no good if you're playing with your tension and wanting the bobbin thread to show for arty effect.) Annie and I usually use Madeira Rayon no.40 - it's a standard weight and works well in most situations. We especially like the rayon because of its sheen - it stands out against the felt. However there are times when the beautiful variegated Gutermann Sulky Cotton no.30 is useful. The variegated threads add interest with no extra effort on the part of the sewing machinist! But the choice of thread is a personal one - just make sure to buy good quality threads because they won't break in your machine so easily. Use a piece of scrap felt backed with stabliser fabric and experiment to see how different threads look on felt. (If you don't have a piece of scrap it doesn't take long to make a small piece.) We keep our eyes on places like eBay - we've managed to buy good quality threads from people that are giving up sewing and selling their stashes at much lower prices than new. If there's anything I haven't answered to your satisfaction please tell me.
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Post by flicstarstudios on Jun 25, 2012 9:15:35 GMT
That's perfect - thanks for all the info! :-)
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Post by koffipot on Jun 25, 2012 13:54:15 GMT
I bought some artificial silk threads from ebay recently. 25 reels of assorted colours - 500 metres per reel. Cost about £8.00. Great value and good enough to practice with.
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Post by jufergu on Jun 25, 2012 22:09:02 GMT
I do a lot of free motion quilting on my art quilts. I wish I could find some magic thread that would work in all occasions and all fabrics. However, it just doesn't exist. I use the 100% cotton variegated thread with fantastic results. It is amazing what this thread will do. However, it took a lot of trial and error with the upper tension to learn how to manage it. I also use the metallics now like a pro. But...they are not all created equally. Gold and silver break. The best I have found are the ones that have a reflective synthetic quality. They are much stronger. The needle can get hot and melt it, so rest the needle occasionally. Again, upper tension is the key. A drop of sewing ease on the spool can cut down on friction.
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Post by carole aka craftywoman on Feb 26, 2013 12:43:06 GMT
The knowledge here about threads is great, I'm finding it really useful. One thing I have found out about metallic thread is that it needs be a distance from the machine, I've been told that it allows the thread to relax and stop it breaking so often, I have a separate thread stand that I can move. Also using a needle specifically for metallic thread, 80/12 works well. Carole
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Post by MTRuth on Feb 26, 2013 15:27:23 GMT
The Madeira metallics are good quality and are not as fragile/finicky as others. They are a bit expensive but worth the price.
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Post by koffipot on Feb 26, 2013 18:05:04 GMT
Thanks for that information Carole and Ruth. I gave up on metallics as they snap so easily.
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Post by Shepherdess on Feb 27, 2013 2:40:34 GMT
lots of good information and right on time for me.
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Post by zed on Feb 27, 2013 9:49:48 GMT
I need to get some proper thread too, thanks for the info
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Post by Karen on Feb 27, 2013 11:18:17 GMT
I need to get a machine lol
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Post by Shepherdess on Feb 28, 2013 0:11:07 GMT
try the local charity shops or if you have them freecycle.
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mwes
Full Member
Posts: 79
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Post by mwes on Jan 15, 2016 6:44:23 GMT
Hi, Does anyone know a good video demonstrating machine embroidery? I recently saw a very nice one where someone drew on some kind of paper and then put it on the felt and machine embroidered on it (it was a picture of a sheep or a goat) but I can't find it again and I have no idea what kind of paper that was that can let you do that. Thank you!
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mwes
Full Member
Posts: 79
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Post by mwes on Jan 15, 2016 6:45:15 GMT
Oh wait, I think it was on permutationsinfiber webiste. Never mind
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Post by zed on Jan 15, 2016 10:36:47 GMT
That's Ruth's website
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