Over the last couple of weeks Celtic Spring saw a few days on the frame. I continued working on the dress stitching up the lilac sections. The nice easy blocks started to get broken up with charting for the metallic gold swirls, so I decided to begin filling in those stitches. I managed to get a nice chunk of solo time to work on this and am very pleased with the progress.
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| L&L Celtic Spring |
When I started this piece, I was so excited to get to work on it that I didn't want to have to wait to get a working copy, silly, silly me. This is by no means the first chart I haven't made a working copy of and have paid the price, having to try to read symbols on the intersections of folds in the chart that have worn away. In an attempt to try and limit the amount of folding and unfolding, I decided to try and do all the stitching in a particular section before moving on. This is part of my reasoning to start filling in the gold detail.
I have to admit that I am in two minds about the difficulty of the metallic stitching in Celtic Spring. When I was filling in the gold on the dark purple section I experimented with both 1 and 2 strands of Treasure Braid (the charted metallics). I decided that I preferred the look of the single strand and so have continued on with that. Having stitched with 2 strands of metallics before I am delighted that I stuck with the single strand as it makes working with the gold thread so much easier.
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| L&L Celtic Spring, Metallic Swirls |
The only problem I really have with the metallic thread is trying to get it through the eye of the needle. I tend to be a ‘smaller needle the better’ kinda gal, especially when working on 28ct evenweave. Therefore I use a size 28 needle, which has a fairly small eye. This normally isn't an issue with the cotton threads but as the metallic starts to come apart as soon as you cut it, it can be a pain to thread. I have Thread Heaven in my sewing box but don't really use it as I wasn't a huge fan of it. Maybe I should give it another try.
Threading needles becomes extremely awkward when coming near the end of my length of thread, with parts of the length magically getting shorter than the others. This results in having to unthread the needle, trim down the length and press my face as close to the back of my work as possible as I try to rethread the needle.
These are all relatively small issues and I don't have nearly as much trouble with Treasure Braid, by Rainbow Gallery, than I have had with some other brands. Do you have difficulty with metallic thread? Let me know what parts of working with metallics trouble you the most in the comments section below.
I have never used metallic threads because they terrify me, but I have heard good things about thread heaven. Beautiful work!
ReplyDeleteFor the metallic thread you should try using a bigger needle. It will help reduce the fraying as the needle will make a bigger hole for the thread to pass through. Another tip is to tie a knot at the eye to prevent the thread from constantly moving around in the eye. Hope that helps :)
ReplyDeleteI like the advice given above for metalics! :)
ReplyDeleteI've been on your page for a good 2 hours searching for these patterns and all of the conversions lol. She's looking great! I don't have too much trouble with metallics but it could be because after stitching with the DMC Light Effects for a full piece, the others don't seem nearly as bad! But the problems I do have come with the needle threading. I have the same problem and use the same size needles as you.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful progress! I must have used almost a whole cube of Thread Heaven when I ignorantly started a piece with DMC metallics. It was so horrible. I agree that Treasure Braid is a breeze compared to both DMC and Kreinik. I would stick with one strand as 2 strands always seems to give me kinks and never looks as good, even if 1 strand doesn't cover as well.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful stitching on such a pretty design.
ReplyDeleteLinda
she's looking stunning!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for your comment. I think the gold is starting to make a big difference to this piece.
Deletebeautiful stitching, love the design, she is on to stitch list for next year ☺
ReplyDeleteShe's looking beautiful! It's lovely to see more progress on her.
ReplyDeleteI share your frustration with metallics but the results are definitely worth the effort. Continue to use one strand but definitely use Thread Heaven as it really does help the metallic glide through the fabric. I cut my metallic lengths about 6" longer than I need, knowing that those extra inches will be wasted. It's frivolous but saves the frustration of having to re-thread frayed strands. Good luck with the rest of the metallics! :)
I hate metallics too, I have thread heaven. I might try knotting at the eye as suggested by D1 D2 as I find I get most fraying as the thread goes through the eye.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comment and suggestion. That seems like a good idea, I think it would also work with satin threads which I also find to be a nightmare.
DeleteThat's beautiful stitching. Another Thread Heaven fan here! But I just try to avoid metallics.
ReplyDeleteIt is looking wonderful. I don't mind metallic BUT I loath working with Kreinik and convert to Petite Treasure Braid as often as I can. The Kreinik is too course, it frays terribly and IMO, it doesn't have the same shine as the PTB. As with all materials, I know YMMV and some people can't stand PTB. For either one, I tend to go one needle size up or look through my stash of needles to find one with a larger eye and I also use shorter pieces than normal.
ReplyDeleteShe looks beautiful! Gorgeous stitching :D
ReplyDeleteShe's looking wonderful! I can totally sympathize with you about the disappearing symbols in the folds of the chart.....for some reason I always think that it won't happen this time, but it always does. Good luck with the metallic threads, one strand always looks so much neater as there are no kinks that way. Can't wait to see more of Celtic Spring, she's gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteShe is looking gorgeous! Metallics are never my favourite threads either....but they do make things sparkle so prettily!
ReplyDeleteShe is looking beautiful!
ReplyDeleteI am not a fan of metallic but I have to admit that the few times I've had to use it, the end result was lovely.
Have fun!!
She is looking fantastic. I have stitched Celtic Summer and have Celtic Autumn as a UFO. They are lovely designs to work on. Look forward to seeing this become a finish.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for you comment. Had a look at your progress on Autumn, she is very pretty. Hopefully this one won't be a WIP for me for too much longer.
DeleteShe is sooo pretty! :)
ReplyDeleteShe is breathtaking!!!! I am a big needle girl but I cannot stitch metallics without my threadhaven!
ReplyDeleteI did all of the Celtic seasons. I really enjoyed these projects, and I didn't mind the metallic or the beading because they really pop the pattern.
ReplyDeleteYour doing a fantastic job!
Thanks so much for your comment. I am really looking forward to getting to do the others in this series, though hopefully they won't take me as long.
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