Tips for Using Metallic Threads Written by Katrina Renouf Continued from page 1 8. After a strand of blending filament has been cut for use, applying a tiny amount of Fraycheck to each end can help keep it from unraveling. Leave a long tail to keep Fraychecked portions from becoming a part of needlework. 9. It’s been suggested to burn ends with a match to fuse pieces together to prevent fraying. Just put out flame with your fingers. 10. Use short strands, since they are easier to manage and doesn’t pass through fabric as often so there’s less friction to cause it to break or fray. 11. Rather than use a blended needle containing both floss and filament, some people prefer to do their crosses first with floss alone. Stitching over top with filament gives more glitter and prevents problems due to fact that they have different levels of elasticity. 12. Test filament on a piece of scrap fabric to prevent melting due to an overly hot iron. Katrina Renouf is the founder and owner of the cross stitch website www.matkailuxstitch.com. Types of Fabrics for Needlework Written by Katrina Renouf Continued from page 1 more difficult since it is slipperier. You can use any type of needle you want, but make sure eye is small so there is less friction when it goes through fabric. It is also rather abrasive to thread, so stick needle in and out of material at a 90-degree angle. Also be careful if you aren’t going to cover entire background with stitches, since silk is very transparent and it will be easy to see any threads you carry across back. Another hint is to use a dark napkin or cloth behind your work to help you see. It is also important to have a lot of light and use magnification if you need it. You should use a sharp needle to prevent making holes too large. Color in chart with a similar color to silk so there is less miscounting, since ripping on silk can cause a lot of damage. And finally, keep your hands very clean as it is more difficult to clean than other fabrics. Katrina Renouf is the founder and owner of the cross stitch website www.matkailuxstitch.com     <Back to Page 1   ImproveHomeLife.com © 2005 Terms of Use