I’ve got a bee in my bonnet over this silly plaited braid stitch. I’ve almost got the stitch worked out – well, concept-wise, anyway, thanks to Joey for sending an informative article on it! But it’s all about the thread, you know…
Granted, there are lots of embroidery stitches that aren’t about the thread. You can do chain stitch, for example, with practical anything – including plastic cord! Or rope. I’ve even worked the chain stitch with human hair. But with this plaited braid stitch that has me all worked up – the thread IS important.
So I set about looking for the right gold. I know that, over at The Embroiderers’ Story (the blog is a bit skewy these days – something going on with the html or what-have-you!), they’re working with manufacturers to come up with the right gold.
But I’m not recreating anything – I just want to get the blasted stitch down! I had no idea what I was getting into when I began searching for methods to work this stitch well with relative ease!
Well, I searched for the right thread. I found that Leon Conrad recommends a certain type of gold for the stitch, because of the gold thread’s flexibility. I contacted the people who supply me with gold – Tanja Berlin, and the JEC. Tanja contacted the manufacturer she orders from and found out that the stuff I was looking for is available, and she could order some for me. (Tanja is always SO helpful!) Problem: almost $20-worth, and then shipping (from Canada). I contemplated, thinking it might be worth it, but still hesitant because, after all, it’s pricey for a mere experiment.
Then I received an e-mail from Leon Conrad. He mentioned that the thread he recommends (#371) is manufactured in the US. He recommends the thread because it’s more supple than the gold passing, though apparently about the same size as #5. The 371 has a synthetic core, which makes it more flexible.
Well, from there, I decided to search high and low in the US through different specialty embroidery stores to find gold #371.
I found that Tanja Berlin carries it in Canada, Thistle Threads might carry it, and you can always check with Hedgehog Handworks to find out if they can special order it for you.
Can you give the link for the gold thread on the Criss Cross Row site…it is hard for me to find it!
Thanks…
…and it is so much fun reading about your thread lust!
Hi, Allie –
Here’s the link:
Gold 371 at Criss Cross Row
It’s under “Metal and Metallic Threads.” The first time I looked through their metal threads, I couldn’t find it, either. But then I did a google search for “metal thread gold 371” and it came right up!
Enjoy!
You Go, Conquerer Girl!
Oooh! I hope it arrives soon, I am keen to see how you get on with the stitch with this thread. I read the article by Leon Conrad and intend to try it myself sometime, can’t resist a challenge 😉
CA
heh heh…
Drat, I don’t have those issues of Fine Lines! Now I’m curious to try it too, looking forward to seeing yours with the new thread.
Hello, I’m Dom, a Jad French girl ! I’m very pleased to visit your blog, it seems so cute ! I will be very happy to visit you from time to time now ! I wish you a nice day
Mary,
I am pleased to read you are still trying that most horrible stitch. LOL! I don’t know how many times I tried that stitch it seems like all the thread just falls together and you can’t sort it out to complete the steps. It is all those pretzel shapes.(smile) This is probably as clear as mud.
Good luck, and I hope to learn this stitch as well.