metallic thread - need tips

[bridesmom]

Ok, I want to quilt spider webs, with silver embroidery thread, I have my 90 topstitch needle, brand new, in the machine. Any tips? I know before I have wanted to rip my hair out cause the thread shreds so easily. But I really really want the silver spider webs. Got tips anyone????

[carman]

check the twist to it, you have the spool in one hand pull off a couple feet and see if it twists, if it does that is probably the problem. i have started doing that with all metallics i buy and any that do that i don't buy and the ones that don't, they don't seem to break much.

carman

[bridesmom]

I think it twists, but since my sister bought this and I have such a large spool of it (think large aurifil) I will be sewing with it until the cows come home! (and possibly fighting with it too)

[HeyJudee]

I always use a metafil needle when sewing with metallics. Also, put your spool on a spool holder or inside a cup a bit of a distance away from your machine. This gives the thread time to unwind before going thru the machine. Hope this helps.

Edited: Just googled and found these...maybe they will help too.
http://www.superiorthreads.com/education/ask-dr-bob/sewing-with-metallic-thread
http://www.quiltingdaily.com/blogs/quilting-daily/archive/2011/02/22/6-keys-to-metallic-thread-success-in-your-fabric-art.aspx
http://softexpressions.com/help/faq/faqmetallicthread.html
http://sewing.patternreview.com/cgi-bin/review/readreview.pl?readreview=1&ID=1614

[bridesmom]

Thanks Judy, some good tips there. I think I will attempt it from the front, then if all else fails try the back. I don't have to free motion, I can actually use a regular foot which may help somewhat. I'll cross my fingers!

[bridesmom]

Well, I did it. It was really slow going and frustrating at times, but I did one wall hanging quilted in metallic. I did find out though that Jenny Haskins has a very nice quality metallic that doesn't twist as much as the rest of the stuff does. My problem was with the twisting so I finally would pull a huge piece off the spool, let it hang and get all the twists out of it, thread the machine and use that up, then repeat. And sew slow, and coat the thread with SewEase (or something kind of like that) and a large needle. But for now I won't be buying any more unless I get another bright idea to quilt in metallic. And the thread is on sale.

[HeyJudee]

I've only used Sulky Sliver metallics...but must admit that was a few years ago when I did a couple of wall hangings. But it's still in my thread box...so one day in the future I'm sure I'll use it again. Glad you were able to get thru it.