Sometimes, we run into those stitchy situations where we need a wee bit of sparkle in our embroidery – whether it’s because we like sparkle in general (I’m kind of like a crow that way) or we’re creating something that normally has a bit of iridescence to it (like bugs’ wings, for example).
The other day, when finishing up the second-to-the-last model for this collection of Little Things, I decided that the bee’s wings on Lavender Honey needed something. Plain white floss just wan’t going to cut it. I considered using silk rather than cotton (the hive is wool and silk, the bee is wool, the flowers are silk), but … it still didn’t quite do it for me.
Keep in mind, the bees on this Little Thing are pretty small – about 1/8″ long, tops – so their wings are small, too. The thread for the wings needs to be fairly fine.
And then I remembered!
There’s a new collection of Bijoux thread out this year. These new threads all have white cores, as opposed to colored cores. The metallic threads around the core are silver (silver glint), opalescent (diamond glint), gold (white gold glint), and darker gold (bronze glint).
Bijoux is a actually a blending filament that you can add to other threads you’re stitching with, for subtle sparkle. Unlike some other blending filaments on the market, though, Bijoux is very strong, and it holds up well to surface embroidery stitches. You can use Bijoux quite easily on its own.
Well, what I found with these new white-core Bijoux threads (and especially with Diamond Glint, which is opalescent) is that they make great bug wings. You can double or triple the thread in your needle for a bolder effect, too. For the bee above, I used three threads for the wings.
I’m planning on trying Bijoux for with detached buttonhole stitch, to see how it will work for stumpwork-type wings. I am confident it’ll work well. When I get to that experiment, I’ll let you know how it goes!
You can find Bijoux thread at Stitching Bits and Bobs online, where you can see all the colors offered in the line. You can also find Bijoux at Needle in a Haystack – I think the images on Needle in a Haystack for most of the threads are actually a better representation of color.
So, there you have it – if you’re looking for something for bug wings, or you just want to add a little sparkle to your embroidery, try Bijoux!
Lots of nifty stuff for you this week, including a new video and a printable, some thread talk, and the initial stages of project preparation.
Have a swell Monday!
Good morning Mary,
I have been working on a kit made by JCA called Phoenix Rising. The colors are so bright and lively and it is done mostly in long and short stitch. As you may know the owner of JCA passed and now the company is closed. I liked their kits because the materials are usually of a higher quality than other kits. The Phoenix has long plumes of blue feathers, three different types of blue are used and they have a shimmer to them. The shimmer is created by weaving in this iridescent thread. The thread is very light and it is like stitching with strips of cellophane. I hate it. I can’t secure it properly on the back because it slips through the fabric so I used tiny drops of Fray Check. The effect is gorgeous I just wish I had known about the threads you are talking about here, because I would have surely switched them out. Thank you for the info! Have a great week.
Melissa Bird
G’day Mary,
Things that are ok but just not quite right just do bug, don’t they. This thread is neat. Love the peak at the little things.
Cheers, Kath.
Woops! Putting that second ‘just’ in the first sentence was bad enough, and then I went and ‘peak’ed! Sorry to make you shudder.
I’m really intrigued by these threads. I like that the colours are more muted – I find that a lot of metallic threads are too garish for my tastes. I might have to see if I can get my hands on some!
Dear Mary
The Bijoux threads look interesting and they certainly sparkle, the little bug is so sweet. Can’t wait for the new video and to hear about your new project.
Thanks
Regards Anita Simmance
que hermoso .e aprendido mucho los materiales aplicados muy .de acuerdo
te felicito
y gracias por compartir
Looking forward to your sharing more related knowledge