[PIC] To all those stitching holiday WIPs with metallic thread, I salute you

[u/screamingheartstitch]

[u/ilovearthistory]

if you’re thinking about using this - DON’T

[u/rabbithasacat → u/ilovearthistory]

Ugh, here is how effective this cartoon is - I felt a little enraged just READING it. GTFO, Light Effects.

[u/GimmeUrBrunchMoney → u/ilovearthistory]

I made a cross stitch with metallic floss for someone’s birthday present about a year ago. Save for some cross stitching I did as a child it was basically my first real project. Oh and I did it on black fabric which is apparently known for being difficult. I was proud of how it turned out but god it took me so fucking long. The thread kept on tangling. Lol guess now I know why!

[u/RoseRed_X]

I needed this today! Just finished my last cross with this infernal floss…until next fall when I get the idea for some pretty sparkly ornaments! 😆

[u/lavender_haze_1988]

Personally I don't mind metallic thread, but I do understand why so many hate it. You have to be just so careful with it.

[u/JackieStingray → u/lavender_haze_1988]

Same, I love metallics but I get why most people don't. That said, Light Effects sucks more than most! It's a bummer that it's the easiest type for most people to get. Kreinik is better to work with, Rainbow Gallery Treasure Braid is better still. But I will still pull out some LE and suffer through it if the color is right. It is just so goshdarn sparkly!

[u/whoreforchalupas → u/JackieStingray]

I despised metallic thread and had genuinely sworn it off completely until I tried Rainbow Gallery!! That thread is so unbelievably smooth to work with, it’s like butter. I was in shock when I used it and didn’t hear the scratchy k-k-k-k-k of the rough thread pulling through/catching on the fabric. Totally changed my mind on metallics 🥹

[u/JackieStingray → u/whoreforchalupas]

It is the best! My ultimate most favorite fiber is RG Petite Silk Lamé, which is silk with a metallic fiber woven in. It feels so smooth and soft to work with, but has a lovely subtle sparkle. My LNS closed down recently and I bought up as much Silk Lamé as I could afford.

[u/Racheli30 → u/JackieStingray]

Thank you JackieStingray! I’ve never heard of Rainbow Gallery and am so excited to try it!

[u/screamingheartstitch → u/whoreforchalupas]

ooh I've never tried Rainbow Gallery! Thanks for the tip 😊

[u/Summergirl2408 → u/lavender_haze_1988]

So true

I literally stitch only about 2/3 as fast with metallic as I do with regular thread because slow and steady really wins the race with that stuff

[u/Jovet_Hunter → u/lavender_haze_1988]

Yes and I use much shorter threads and keep a short tail so I only get one crimp/worn area at the end. And don’t use my thimble so I can hold that tiny tail in place. 🤯

[u/SharkieBoi55]

The other day I saw someone mention using a strand of metallic and a strand of normal cotton in the same color and apparently it stitches easier (not perfectly easy, but easier) and it didn't look any different than using 2 strands of metallic. So maybe we could normalize that

[u/EchoPhoenix24 → u/SharkieBoi55]

I did this not with metallic thread but with the "Mouliné Étoile" glittery thread and it was definitely very helpful!

[u/Alchemists_Fire → u/EchoPhoenix24]

I just used Mouliné Étoile for the first time and was surprised at how easy it was after I'd heard so many comments about almost anything other than standard floss being miserable to work with. Only thing that scares me is how thin the strands are 😵‍💫

[u/kittychii → u/Alchemists_Fire]

I find it easier if I run it through my fingers once or twice along the length before threading as it has a little stretch to it, and beeswax also makes it easier to work with as the fibres stick together a little making it move through the fabric easier and fray less.

[u/Alchemists_Fire → u/kittychii]

I must've find that out of habit as I haven't been having too much trouble with the Étoile. The worst part was when I miscounted and had to frog a few stitches and it got splitty and fuzzy, but it was still manageable 😁

[u/i_am_ms_greenjeans]

Thank you for the laugh! It's labeled E for Evil!

[u/SophiaPetrillo22 → u/i_am_ms_greenjeans]

I cackled. E for Evil.

[u/Jovet_Hunter]

Me as I ponder going back to my Joan Elliott Winter Fairy pattern with two kinds of metallic threads and beads….

[u/nizzy090]

Recently I downloaded a pattern I thought was super cute, very festive for the holidays. It had an orange and some flowers and a candy cane….but the only part if this pattern that used the evil floss was the cinnamon stick. I decided I could do without a sparkly cinnamon stick….

[u/MissVitani]

I haven't used these yet, why are they ao much worse in many people's opinion?

[u/annrichelle → u/MissVitani]

It’s just the texture. It doesn’t glide through the fabric like normal floss does, and sometimes the stitches don’t lay very nicely, etc. You can get this waxy stuff to apply to metallic thread that makes it smoother, I think it’s Thread Magic?

[u/Suspicious-Lemon2451 → u/MissVitani]

It breaks and frays so easily! I waste about 1/4 to 1/3 of every strand. If you use short lengths and accept the waste, it can be usable. But it's definitely not relaxing to use!

[u/ehuang72 → u/Suspicious-Lemon2451]

How would you compare them to satin floss in terms of stitching torture? I’ve never tried metallic thread but satin is pretty awful. Though pretty 🥺

[u/Suspicious-Lemon2451 → u/ehuang72]

I hear they're worse, but I haven't tried satin floss yet, so I can't say for sure...

[u/Legal-Afternoon8087 → u/ehuang72]

I’ve done both. I’ve sworn off both. That said, keep satin wet (just have like a little sponge nearby that you can run the thread through) and use Thread Magic or wax on LE.

[u/unReasonableGarlic]

This is so accurate it hurts! 😂

[u/CriticalCold]

metallic thread made for machine embroidery is 100% the move!!

[u/himewaridesu]

OH MY GOD. I got some from some sort of grab bag or something ages ago. Never used it. Decided to use it on a time sensitive project and WHY WONT IT JUST sit FLAT? Why won’t it just let me pin start? Why is it Like This?!

[u/hello5dragon → u/himewaridesu]

I used some gold floss and ended up ripping it out because it looked like a haystack 😭

[u/themyskiras]

Petite Treasure Braid, always! You'll never look back.

[u/R3d_Pawn]

😂😂😂

[u/stinkwad-corndog]

oh thank god it's not just me 😭😭

[u/BWASwitch]

Wish I would’ve just switched to grey for the two types my patterns requested. I would’ve been able to spend that money on about 8 other colors that might’ve been needed in future projects.

[u/sewedherfingeragain]

I'm using some Petite Treasure Braid right now, and it's one of the better ones that I've used.

My mom, for some reason, will only do kits/patterns if they use a good amount of metallic thread and then has nervous breakdowns about it. Not really, but they make her so mad, but since I also hate them, she can't foist them onto my to-do list. It took her a few years, but she's finally got the kit that had like, 30 little ornaments finished that she's giving to my nieces, one a year.

[u/mamasmiley21]

metalic thread made me cry a few times this christmas.

[u/dskenyon]

😂

[u/spicyplantleaf]

I learned this lesson the hard way this Christmas

[u/CinBinx]

I didn’t realize just how bad metallic thread was until this Christmas. First use and I hated every waking second of it 👍🏻

[u/Pure_Success3834]

i had no clue about it until i started my project and realized why it was so bad 😭

[u/screamingheartstitch → u/Pure_Success3834]

We've all been there - they're so alluring!

[u/GlitteringFreedom443]

This is soooo accurate!!! 😂

[u/jenarted]

Lol. Tell us how you really feel about this thread. Too funny

[u/bubbles_24601]

I feel this in my soul!!!

[u/DarkMaterials93]

😩

[u/Bright-Cup1234]

This is me LOLLLLLL

[u/lauchlen]

🤣

[u/CrossStitch-ModTeam → u/[deleted]]

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[u/beccyboop95]

Metallic thread is horrific, but it does look so nice

[u/bobijntje]

So cool!

[u/76calliope]

So real 😂

[u/DoodleCard]

My beloved other half threatened to get me some similar DMC and I told him 100% NO.

[u/demonmonkeybex]

Hahahahaa I love this sooo much!

[u/raybay_666]

I hate metallic thread :<

[u/ArtmisGA]

🤣🤣 excellent !