Blame It on Prince Harry

I don't stitch with metal threads much although I have a limited amount of Gilt Sylke Twist I have put away for a special project and there's a small stash of bullion and perle just waiting for another day in my stash. I have heard that it's hard to get Gilt Sylke Twist right now, though.  Tricia Nguyen (who imports Gilt Sylke Twist and colored twist and other English threads from their manufacturers) explains why.
http://thistle-threads.blogspot.com/2018/05/a-brief-needlework-interruption.html

By now you've seen photos of the Royal Wedding and probably know exactly to blame—Prince Harry and the wedding party!  Better stock up after the wedding rush is over.

Here's Tricia's website…
https://thistle-threads.myshopify.com

…and here is Tanja Berlin's.
https://berlinembroidery.com/product-category/hand-embroidery-supplies/goldwork-supplies/

Plus here is Needle in a Haystack's.
http://www.needlestack.com/WebStore/thread.html

All these online shops have wonderful threads for your stitching pleasure, not just metallics.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright May 16, 2018 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Gimme Gimme!

Are you a silk fiend? Then you will want to browse Hedgehog Handwork's website to admire the Gilt Sylke Twist, the Silk Collection (assortments of silks and metallics in various shades), and more.  Until August 12th, the website is offering free shipping within the United States.
http://www.hedgehoghandworks.com/catalog/fibers_silkcollections.php

http://www.hedgehoghandworks.com/catalog/gilt_sylke_twist.php

They have things it is hard to find anywhere else, particularly if you need metal threads.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com@ Copyright 2013 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

The Naming of the Thread

If you've ever looked at the names of your threads (not the numbers) and wondered why things like Gloriana's Sierra Haze or Lucky Old Sun got their names, you'll want to read Access Commodities' article about the special challenges of naming threads that are reproductions of ones available to the 17th Century needleworker.
http://thistle-threads.com.mytempweb.com/blog/index.php/2012/06/what-is-in-a-name-guest-blog/

By the way, I prefer "Dead Gold" as it is more descriptive of the color in question.  How about you?


Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

For the Elizabetheans Among Us

This posting is for those among us interested in Elizabethean stitches and reproduction threads like Gilt Sylke Twist, and for those who like sales.  Gilt Sylke Twist, by the way, is a mix of silk and metallic wire.  The second link tells you about it.  I have two spools here, waiting for the right project, but since I've heard Japanese embroidery needles are perfect for stitching with this thread, I'll probably pick up a few of those before I try.  The third link is the tutorial on working with Gilt Sylke mentioned in the second link, just in case you have a spool tucked away, too.
http://www.theunbrokenthread.com/blog/2012/02/22/new-stitches-to-learn/

http://thistle-threads.com/shop/accessories/giltsylketwist.html

http://thistle-threads.com/teaching/projects/stitchdiagrams/gst_tutorial1.pdf

The shop Kathy mentioned is famous among embroiderers for the quality of their merchandise, fair pricing and excellent customer service.  A great many folks buy their varieties of metallic threads here as they usually have just about everything available.  Here's the link for a little browsing.
http://www.hedgehoghandworks.com/catalog/index.php


Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

Today's Thread Day

When I discovered the hibiscus had buds on it last week and one bloomed, well, I thought spring was here! I took the snow scraper out of my car, put the snow shovel and snow broom in the corner and started haunting the rose bed looking for signs of leaves. Sadly, this morning I am watching it snow hard here in Chilly Hollow. Sigh.

Oh, well, let's declare this thread day! Threads always cheer me up. With the TNNA trade show in January, there are always new thread colors coming out. Needle in a Haystack has a list of the new colors they've just gotten in and links to their online thread catalog where they have added pictures.

http://needlestack.typepad.com/whats_new/2009/02/more-new-thread-colors.html

Elmsley Rose has posted photos of several threads she is excited about on her blog. She does 17th Century reproduction embroidery so was excited to find several silk dyers selling their threads on eBay. One of them pointed her to Aurora Silk, my favorite silk perle line. The Aurora colors are gently faded as they are naturally dyed and the silk perle very easy to work with. The LNS that up and moved to PA (sob!) carried their threads so I stocked up before they left town. Lovely thread! Click on Needlework Silk to explore what they offer. Before I move on, check the photos Rose has posted of a Gilt Sylke piece. I've been very curious about this historical reproduction thread that mixes metal thread with silk into a perle twist since the Plimouth Plantation historical reproduction of an embroidered jacket started and they managed to have this made to their specifications. It looks like any project done with this very special and expensive thread will be special indeed!
http://elmsleyrose.blogspot.com/2009/02/historical-sampler-special-threads.html

Barbara Bergsten has shared tips on working with specialty threads she learned at a class at her local shop on her blog. It's an interesting read, and may help you figure out why you hate that thread everyone raves about.
http://createneedlepoint.typepad.com/create_needlepoint/2009/02/specialty-thread-tips.html

Michele Herron has been in class, too. She took a class at the TNNA show from Amy Bunger. (I am green with envy, Michele!) Read about her experience with new threads (and hot fix crystals) on her shop blog. By the way, I disagree with her on Princess Perle. I have to use short lengths but it doesn't misbehave with me. Obviously I am a much meaner stitcher! LOL
http://bristlythistle.blogspot.com/2009/02/needlepoint-peasant-dress.html

Before I close, I want to return to Barbara Bergsten's blog. Barbara is starting a new project, a butterfly canvas, to illustrate how you use a variety of threads and stitches on painted canvases. The real theme of this is compensation. If you are interested in learning from Barbara, here is the first posting of the Butterfly Stitch-along. Click on Main so see the first section of the butterfly.
http://createneedlepoint.typepad.com/create_needlepoint/2009/02/painted-stitches-butterfly-stitch-along-fixed.html

Now I need to go shovel off the porch!

Jane/Chilly Hollow
Main blog at http://blog.360.yahoo.com/chillyhollow