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Conversational Threads

Mylar thread

caokiemom | Posted in Equipment and Supplies on

Hi, does anyone out there know where one can purchase mylar thread?

Replies

  1. MaryinColorado | | #1

    I haven't heard it called that, maybe it is new.  There is a Sulky hollogram thread that looks kind of like tinsel and very delicate.  It's wide and flat and very reflective.  There  are also metallics, maybe you can find it by doing a search under the different thread manufacturers. 

    Both Sulky and YLI make a Polyester monofilament thread that looks clear for light colors and greyish for darker colors. 

    What are you going to use it for?  Maybe someone else has an idea. 

    1. Cherrypops | | #2

      http://www.flyingneedle.ca/embroidery_faqs.php gives a definition of Mylar.

      Scroll down to specialty threads: metallic thread: paragraph 2.

      CherryPops

    2. caokiemom | | #5

      Hi MaryinColorado,

      My intent is to use it for some quilting.  I am working on a Mardi Gras quilt and when I read the description of mylar thread I thought it would add just the right amount of sheen to the finished quilt.  But it is just an idea at this point.  I've got to try some first to see how it works in quilting.  I'll see if I can find the Sulky thread you mentioned.

      Caokiemom

      1. MaryinColorado | | #12

        That sounds like a fun quilt, hope you will attatch photos when finished, or even while in progress.  You have peaked my curiosity, I bet the fabrics are bright and cheery?  If you look in the Yellow Pages, you may be able to find a sewing machine shop that sells the thread.  I get mine at the Husq./Viking dealer or at JoAnnes fabric store.

        1. caokiemom | | #17

          I'll be happy to post a picture, but I'm quite a novice when it comes to quilting.  When I showed my daughter the fabrics she thought they were too bright, but now that they are all together in the blocks, she likes them.  And to think, it all started with a bare 1/8 yard piece of fabric I found in a shop in the New Orleans area right after Mardi Gras.

      2. Cherrypops | | #19

        I have a question about your quilt: Are you handquilting or machine quilting with these mylar/sulky threads?

        CherryPops

        1. caokiemom | | #20

          My plan is to machine quilt.  I have a 45 day deadline for getting this done (it's a housewarming gift) and I don't think I can do that much hand quilting in the time limit.  From all I've read about the thread, it can be used for machine quilting but I will have to use a larger needle, longer stitch and go much slower than normal stitching.  Do you think it can be done?

          1. Cherrypops | | #22

            Yes, my reason for asking is there are many hints and tips for using metallic threads with the sewing machine. as they can be quite tricky as one poster mentioned.

            I will find the links and get back to you soon.

            CherryPops

          2. Cherrypops | | #23

            These sites confirm what you say about the larger needle and slower speed on the machine plus a little bit more. Hope you find them useful. If links do not work let me know please. . . .CherryPops

            http://www.threadpro.com/sewmetal.htm

            http://www.quiltbus.com/threadtheory.htm

            http://www.quiltingassistant.com/threads.html

          3. MaryinColorado | | #24

            I use a 14/90 topstitching needle or metallic needle, longer stitch lenghth, have the thread feed off the spool vertically.  I have used the metallic in the embroidery machine at higher speeds but with the Sulky Sliver I had a little tweaking like slower speed, topstitching needle, decreased needle tension, and once I threaded the same needle with both the sliver and clear polyester monofilatment and decreased the top tension but it may have been due to the stabilizer rather than the thread. 

            It might also be cool to couch some showy yarns or heavier threads by stitching over them with a zig zag or deco stitch with the invisible polyester in the needle or a contrasting thread.

            I don't press these with a very hot iron!  Don't use NYLON thread as you probably know, it will melt at high dryer or iron temps and make a mess.

          4. caokiemom | | #25

            I never thought of the couching; I use it in crazy quilting, which I do by hand.  Now you've got my mind running in a dozen different directions trying to come up with a great plan for some added embellishment on this quilt.  I think time will be the deciding factor here but I'm going to go get my mom's quilt frame and play around with it for a bit.  Thanks for the ideas!

          5. MaryinColorado | | #26

            If you go to http://www.bonniemccaffery.com, you can see a live demo on bobbinwork that can be done with the larger threads.  This is great fun!  She is clear and concise in her teaching.  Wish I could take one of her classes!  Her books are great too.  I also have one of her DigiBobbe machine embroidery kits which is very very cool.  You can look at many of the quilts done by her and her students for ideas too.  Have fun!

          6. caokiemom | | #27

            The site looks wonderful.  I'm not able to watch the videos at this time because I'm on very s-l-o-w dial-up, but I did bookmark the site and will go back to it when I get some highspeed service.  Thanks for another great suggestion.

          7. MaryinColorado | | #28

            Your welcome!  I am not a quilter but have made a few quilts for the grandkids and some quilted small items.  I am struggling now with a small quilt for my mother, about 60x70 to use like a lap quilt.  I machine embroidered many squares, now I am trying to design it.  I put it away for awhile because I got tired of looking at so much pink!  Been there, done that, burned the t shirt!!!!  My mother, daughter, and grand daughter all share the favorite color and I am so tired of it.  My sewing room is soft rose with rose curtains as it was decorated for dear grand daughter!  Now that she is a teenager, I am going to redecorate to my own tastes.

          8. caokiemom | | #29

            I know what you mean about decorating to your own taste.  Now that I'm an empty nester I've painted the spare bedroom in a beach scene and that's where I'll be doing all my "creative" thinking and working.  The room itself is still a work in progress as I've run out of money, but that will change once I'm working again.  I got into quilting quite by accident and have never regretted a minute of it.  I told my mother she created a monster when she taught me how to quilt. LOL  I think lap quilts are my favorite, mostly for the size.  A queen or king size quilt is hard to work without a proper quilting set up.  That's next. ;-)

          9. MaryinColorado | | #30

            Oh how wonderful and inspiring!  If I could paint that well I would do that in a heartbeat!  My living room has ocean type decor even though I live in the .]westfor now.

          10. caokiemom | | #31

            Well my sister (an artist) drew the scene for me and my brother (a scenic designer) gave me instructions on how to apply the paint.  Left to my own devices I'd have plain blue walls. But luckily I have some very talented siblings.

          11. MaryinColorado | | #32

            You are blessed to have such a talented family that shares thier talents!  The room sounds like a true personal space!  How dreamy!

    3. caokiemom | | #7

      Hi again Mary,

      I found the Sulky web page and they have exactly what I am looking for.  Thank you so much for your help.

      Caokiemom

      1. Cherrypops | | #8

        Just a suggestion but i would like you to read other posts from MaryinColorado. She is so knowledgable and I have learnt a lot from her.

        CherryPops

        1. caokiemom | | #10

          No problem.  How do I find her posts?  I'm new to this so don't really know my way around yet.

          CAOKieMom

          1. Cherrypops | | #11

            Thank you for all your words.

            How to find messages from members:

            You need to click 'advanced search'::

            After you click 'start' in the top menu. click 'start reading' . all discussions/thread menu will be in the left hand corner.

            At the top is 'advanced search'. click and in 'find messages' find maryincolarado from list.(click arrow looks like a 'v') and click 'search'.

            If her name is not in the list type it into the blank bar next to it.

            I have just done all the above steps to make sure it has worked. I came up with 200messages. amidst her sewing knowledge is a bit of fun chit chat! She is a great lady.

            Yell if you need further help!

            CherryPops (australia)

          2. MaryinColorado | | #15

            Cherrypops!  I am blushing! 

      2. MaryinColorado | | #13

        You are very welcome!  Mary

  2. Cherrypops | | #3

    http://www.texmac.com/apparel/access.htm sells Mylar Wrapped threads.

    click on thread/bobbin in the list. then scroll down to the second table. RAPOS Metallized Thread.

    I am sure there are more threads available. This was the first one I found on google.

    CherryPops

     

     

    1. caokiemom | | #4

      Thanks Cherrypops for pointing me in the right direction.  I had heard of Mylar thread but couldn't find it anywhere!  Appreciate the help.

       

      Caokiemom

      1. Cherrypops | | #6

        You're welcome. You didn't say where you are located, so I hopeI haven't steered you in the wrong direction. Would love to see photos of the quilt when finished.

        CherryPops

        1. caokiemom | | #9

          I'm in Oklahoma, USA.  And I did find some selections of Mylar thread at the link you sent me, but I also found an awesome selection on the Sulky thread web site.  I've included a link to that in case you ever have need of mylar threads.  I'll be happy to post a picture of the quilt when it's done....well, if it turns out ok. :-)

          Caokiemom

          http://www.sulky.com/thread/thread_holoshimmer.php

           

          1. MaryinColorado | | #14

            I have a sister who lives near Norman, Ok.,  and my son was stationed in Ok for awhile, nice and toasty warm I bet.  Mary

          2. caokiemom | | #16

            I am about 60 miles south of Norman.  That's where I do my major shopping as it's the closest town with anything other than WalMart. ;-)  I'm sure it's warmer here than in CO. I'm so ready for summer.

  3. Teaf5 | | #18

    Before you buy a lot of mylar or metallic thread for your project, buy one spool/skein and test it out.  I tried using a metallic thread for a hand-embroidered quilt label and was incredibly frustrated by it.  It was difficult to handle, shredded instantly, and made the design stiff and scratchy.  After nearly finishing it--in a hurry, for a gift-- I scrapped it and re-did it in a softer, shiny thread.

    1. caokiemom | | #21

      Thanks for the tip.  I definitely plan on trying it out on a quilt sandwich first.  There's no way I'll risk the whole quilt!  If it turns out to be too much of a mess I can always fall back on something like a rayon.  It has a bit of a sheen as well, just not as much as I'd like.

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