Tips for Stitching with Radiance Metallic UPDATED

The Wool and The Floss posted a video showing how to handle the untwisted ends of Radiance Metallic.

https://www.facebook.com/reel/1179195107459802

If you can't see this because you don't have a Facebook account, Melissa says you can just ignore the fraying and cut off the ends, use Fray Check or fingernail polish dabbed on the end to seal it, or use the hot tip of a thread zapper to cauterize and seal the thread.

She also mentions that metallic threads have no "give" so you need to use stretcher bars for your piece since they don't block back into shape.  This is true for all metallic threads, by the way, not just Radiance.

By the way, Melita played around a bit with Radiance she had left over from an ANG Seminar class she took.  She doesn't say what size Radiance she used but I'm guess it's Radiance 18, not Radiance Mini (which is the smaller size).  By the way, I love stitching with Accentuate!  

https://melitastitches4fun.com/2025/09/28/radiance-metallics-by-meredith-willett-collection/

UPDATE:  Vicky of The Stitching Fox shows how to use wax on the tail of Radiance and explains it has a pop top, just like Kreinik.

https://www.facebook.com/reel/933807776290958

UPDATE #2:  Third Coast Stitches has a great article with videos on how to stitch with Radiance.

https://thirdcoaststitches.com/blogs/news/summer-stitching-with-radiance

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright September 28, 2025 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Tools for Stumpwork Attachments

Mary Corbet is working a crewel design from Hazel Blomkamp which has stumpwork leaves and petals that are worked separately around wires, then cut out and attached to the main design.

The really interesting thing to me is Mary's description of the tools she's using to dispense the stiffening agent around the edges of the wired attachments.  I think needlepointers might find very good uses for Aqua Brushes!
http://www.needlenthread.com/2016/04/the-stumpwork-is-finished-some-tips.html

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright April 19, 2016 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Fray BLOCK?

I'd never heard of Fray Block until the ANG email list--that font of needlepoint knowledge--mentioned it to a stitcher looking for help with a thread that frayed as it was being stitched.   I have a bottle of Fray Check that I dab on the ends of my threads occasionally, but Fray Block is different apparently.  What's the difference?

Fray Check comes in a bottle.  It is a plastic that dries clear.  
http://www.joann.com/dritz-fray-check-3-4-oz-/prd2992/

Fray Block comes in a tube.  It is a plastic that dries clear and apparently is more flexible than Fray Check.
http://www.joann.com/june-tailor-fray-block-1-1-2-oz-/prd10294/

Here is more information about Fray Block, including what to do if it is old.
http://junetailor.com/FAQs/FAQ_PressingGeneralNotions_Fray%20Block.htm

People also use clear fingernail polish for the same thing.  At Joann's Fray Block is cheaper.  That may be because the tube holds less than the Fray Check bottle.  It looks like which you use is personal preference. If you have experience using both Fray Check and Fray Block, do let us know what you think in the comments or email me at chilly hollow at hot maildot com and I'll post for you.

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.