My response:
The thread you use is really one of personal preference. I have used Nymo for years with no problem. Although I use it off of a big cone and not the little bobbins. I read somewhere that the quality between the two does differ, the cone being stronger and better. I don’t know if this is true or just one of those urban myths. What I do notice though, is the cone thread is less likely to kink and knot than the bobbin thread. You really need to stretch out the bobbin thread to get all those curly ques out. I like Nymo for its different weights. I have a cone of size “00” which is really fine. I use it when I bead with size 18 or even smaller beads.
I have also worked with Silimaide. I like it for its strength, but I hate trying to thread a needle with it.
I have to say, that my absolute favorite thread is SoNo thread. It is a Japanese beading thread. It may be a bit harder to come by. There is a (popular BIG ) supplier that sells it for about $12 per spool (OUTRAGEOUS PRICE), you can get it for about $4.30 from
http://moondancedesigns.com (tell them I sent you!).
Many people like Fireline, or Power Pro. These are strong threads. I have not used them much, because I love SoNo for much of the work I do. If I beaded more with crystals, I think I would switch over to one of those two threads for the strength.
I also prefer to use white thread most times. I only use black when the beads I use are mostly black. I don’t like how the darker threads darken the beads that are transparent or semi transparent. I usually want the beads to remain true to the color that I chose them for. If I need to, I will use a felt tipped pen (permanent marker) in the appropriate color to color the outside thread edges of the beadwork where they show.
Norm The Gnome in the Know's Response:
I use spider web threads (also known as gossamer or spider silk). They are very strong, did you know that spider silk is superior to high quality steel in tensile strength? It doesn’t cost much either, you just have to go and harvest it. There are a lot of spider webs in the garden. The problem is getting it away from the spider. It tends to be a bit sticky and you have to be careful not to be caught in it and become the spider’s meal I lost my cousin Lothar that way.
My Asian friends like to use silk, it is much less hazardous to get, but silk threads are a lot of work to process and who wants to feed worms all day?
Barney the Brainy Bruin's response:
Thread? Hmmm….I guess that would have to be fishing line. Besides berries and honey, I love fish. I have been teaching my nephew Billy, to fish. It is a great activity. We will fish for all kinds of fish, but salmon is our favorite.
Isn’t that what they make Power Pro for? Not for you silly jewelry makers! No wonder we fisher-bears have a hard time finding it. You silly people buy it all and leave none for us. Go make your own materials and leave the fishing stuff for us bears (and sportsmen…but mostly for us bears!).
Hi Sig,
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for the link to Moondance Designs. I am placing an order for some SoNo and KO thread (which I absolutely LOVE). I have been having a hard time finding the KO and they have it for a great price.
I have used it with crystals and have not had issues. (although any thread can be cut by crystals)
I have found the that Fireline tends to curl if the thread rubs on the edge of crystals. I am very careful to run any thread straight through them. Fireline also tends to break when knotted with traditional beading knots. (I do not use knots with it at all.) Fishermen's knots are recommended with the fishing line, but I haven't tried them yet.
Hey Sig,
ReplyDeleteI was thinking of asking you the 'thread' question myself. LOL
A local bead store owner near me was told the same thing about Nymo by a supplier. The cone thread is a better quality than that on the bobbins. I've never tried Nymo on the cone but always had problems with the bobbin kind. I now use OneG by Toho which is simular to SoNo.
Maybe I'll have to try Barney's choice. I'd try Norm's but I really hate spiders. :)
Cheryl,
ReplyDeleteThere is something about Fireline that I don't like the feel of. Cant tell you exactly what it is. I will have to try KO.
Turquoise Night,
I will have to try OneG as well. I have not seen that one yet.
I don't like spiders either, even though they are important for the eco system... Wonder how Norm puts up with gathering their threads?
Anyone with more questions for Norm and Barney? If not, I might have to give them a week off!! Send some in, if you have any, about anything at all!
hmmmm I started with nymo but moved to silamide almost all of the time. I too prefer the cone thread. It appears to have been sealed somehow. I use gray thread whenever possible because it disappears into the beadwork. I use a light gray and then I can color it with a permanent marker if needed. How about Needles for next Tuesday? *vbg* Just think of all the beads so many of us have bought because of this lady????
ReplyDeletePS to thread silamide:
ReplyDeleteNEVER WET IT!!! - it puffs out and becomes a micro tassle!!!
I thread it all the time, so it's easy. I either lay it on a smooth surface and flatten the end with my finger nail or use a pair of chain nosed pliers to flatten it. Once flattened, it threads much easier. It's also important to thread the end as it comes off the spool. The twisted thread beads better that way. I wonder if a left handed beader would thread it from the cut end?
So many things to ponder...
Hi Sig,
ReplyDeleteThanks for the pattern #2, I don't have time to do it right now, but will within a month or so.
THREAD: I use Silamide exclusively. I have found that the spools of 900-1000 yards are better than the thread on the cards of 40 yards. I have 15 different colors, (from Beadcats.com)and use a sharpie on the edges sometimes.
I help a lot of people with their projects, and many of them use Fireline or Nymo. I have learned to dislike both of those very much, especially compared to Silamide. Nymo shreds badly, and Fireline twists and knots, and does fringes poorly. The fringe curves where it should not, because it follows the curve of the spool.
To thread Silamide, flatten the end a bit, pull it down between forefinger and thumb, then put the needle eye over the thread and roll your fingers to push the thread through the eye. Beadcats.com has a good description of this method.