The first strand of gold thread I tried to use twisted and tangled, and about half the gilt stripped off. Technical terms* were hurled about. Sadly, if you've been following Eve's progress, you will remember that I've had problems with the gold thread from the get-go. I've tried stitching with a Japanese, handmade needle. I've tried large needles to make the holes in the linen larger. I've tried smaller needles, just to see if that would help. I'd gotten down to working with 10" lengths of thread, which meant constant starting and stopping.
Last night, I very nearly put Eve into time-out . . . again . . . perhaps permanently.
While I was trying to decide what to do with Eve, I was puttering around doing nothing much of anything, when a tiny voice from deep in my lizard brain whispered, "What about waxing the thread?"
So I did.
No tangling. No snarling. No twisting. Very, very little stripping of gilt. And I could use 15-18" lengths of thread without horrible things happening.
And I have this much done:
Based on previous experience, this would have taken me at least three evenings to stitch. It took about an hour last night, and a couple of hours tonight.
If I didn't have something that I really need to work on this week-end instead of Eve, I would continue with the background. I am going to be resolute and do what I have to do--but I'm going to move on with Eve after that.
*If you've been reading this blog for any length of time, you will remember that "technical terms" refers to language that is not normally considered acceptable in polite company.
Sometimes we just have to "unlock" that tunnel vision! Glad you got things going again.
ReplyDeleteIt's amazing how our brains can solve problems behind the scenes when given enough time. Love the wax solution.
ReplyDeleteHooray for waxing your thread! Maybe if I read this thought enough times, I will remember it next time I think I want to use metallics (which I always end up frogging).
ReplyDeleteSo glad that's making Eve go more smoothly for you.
Just wanted to thank you for posting about waxing the metallic thread. I'm doing two different UFOs which call for one or two strands of Kreinik high-lustre blending filament. I was fighting with it - shredding, tangling, knotting. Then I remembered your post. Run it very lightly/gently over the beeswax....voila! Thanks, it works and I'm enjoying those sections of those two projects much more!
ReplyDeleteLynn in southern NJ