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by sewmom ( edited 24 Oct 2016 ) 23 Oct 2016

EDITED: Help please. 2nd question: Can I iron metallic thread?---- I'm using metallic thread on a design and just did a test stitch. The thread is breaking a lot and twisting tight between the spool and the machine after a lot of stitching. I'm using a metallic needle, reduced machine speed, reduced tension, and put the spool (standing up) in a cup next to the machine. Any other ideas?

Mermaid (not the accents) from Emb Library. This is my first test stitch out.

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by spcekittrn 25 Oct 2016

Hi,
If you plan to do a lot of metallic thread, have someone build you a "U" shaped box that hold whatever size spool you use. Notch both sides of the "U" so that you can lay a dowel across the "U" to hold your spool. In the side position your metallic thread will unwind and not twist off the spool. I hope this makes sense.
Good luck,
Jane

2 comments
sewmom by sewmom 25 Oct 2016

Great idea. Thank you!

pldc by pldc 26 Oct 2016

an excellent idea!

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by mrskiki 25 Oct 2016

I would still use a pressing cloth. I use parchment paper for these types of things. Hugs. Nan W

1 comment
sewmom by sewmom 25 Oct 2016

Thank you.

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by sewmom 24 Oct 2016

I conquered the metallic thread! Not one thread break. I turned my thread stand on its side so the thread could unroll sideways.

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by sewmom 24 Oct 2016

Answered my own question with a Google search. Low temperature iron is ok. I have a fusible interfacing on this piece and I used Floriani's Stitch N Wash (which I've never tried before) so I need to wash it out and iron it.

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by mops Moderator 24 Oct 2016

Apart from all the usual things - as far from the machine as possible, packing peanut, the horizontal rotating option if you can - I turn the cone upside down after a while so it untwist, then after a while turn it again.

1 comment
sewmom by sewmom 24 Oct 2016

I like the twist change solution. I really think the twisting is my problem because it stitches fine for a while. Thank you.

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by dragonflyer 24 Oct 2016

Sewmom, here is the link I was looking for and could not find when I answered below...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6...

3 comments
sewmom by sewmom 24 Oct 2016

Thank you.

dragonflyer by dragonflyer 24 Oct 2016

Here is the other link I was looking for...Christopher is a great educator..
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U...

sewmom by sewmom 24 Oct 2016

Thank you. I watched the 1st one, neat gadget! The second one is 24 minutes long. I'd rather read it : ( but I'll check it out later.

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by 02kar Moderator 24 Oct 2016

I see you have lots of good hints and helps to try. I have found with metallic thread for me that I use a thread stand so the thread is standing upright rather than horizontal and there is about 12 inches of space between the spool and the start of the threading sequence on the machine and I have not have a problem. I have not needed thread netting or any other aids. I do use a good quality of thread. I hope that you find the trick(s) that work for you. I enjoy the results of metallic thread and would love to see you enjoy it also.

1 comment
sewmom by sewmom 24 Oct 2016

Thank you.

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by awesome1 24 Oct 2016

I will add to all the helpful comments below..instead of 'sewer's aid;, I have an old eye dropper bottle that I fill with mineral oil. I squeeze a couple or 3 lines down the thread spool/cone and it works for me. Also no residue on my fabric and a large bottle of mineral oil is cheaper/used for many other needs.

4 comments
dragonflyer by dragonflyer 24 Oct 2016

Great tip...never thought of mineral oil as a substitute...glad to know it does not leave any residue...I would have thought it would have...

sewmom by sewmom 24 Oct 2016

Thank you.

marianb by marianb 25 Oct 2016

Have never heard of mineral oil where do you get it from..

awesome1 by awesome1 25 Oct 2016

I think I remember buying at WalMart in pharmacy OTC section.

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by justsew 24 Oct 2016

Get a paper cup.make two holes at the top , opposite each other, put a small paint brush or pencil across, with the metallic
thread on it , so the thread is not twisting as it comes off .

2 comments
jgwatchorn by jgwatchorn edited 24 Oct 2016

Hello, Your comment has a lot of sense!!! Thankyou. Janette

sewmom by sewmom 24 Oct 2016

Thank you.

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by castor 24 Oct 2016

some metallic Threads contain to much Metal it makes the Thread knot break or shred .So it is a matter of try and discard .Here in Australia I use Mettler Brand .The tread is soft and runs easy through a metallic Needle .I hope this Information helps Hugs URSULA

1 comment
sewmom by sewmom 24 Oct 2016

Thank you.

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by airyfairy 24 Oct 2016

You have some fantastic answers. I hate sewing with metallic but when I do the further the thread is away from the machine the better. As it sews I let it run through my thumb and first finger - just as a guide. It works for me. Wish you luck

1 comment
sewmom by sewmom 24 Oct 2016

Thank you.

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by sewtired 24 Oct 2016

I've only used Robison Anton Metallic and have had very little problems. Sometimes it jumps off the spool in several loops at a time, but when I use a thread net, that seems to fix that problem. Hope some of these techniques that others have suggested work for you.

1 comment
sewmom by sewmom 24 Oct 2016

Thank you.

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by dragonflyer 23 Oct 2016

It depends upon the spool or cone...the thread needs to pull from the spool or cone straight off the cone...not from the top...like a roll of toilet paper comes off the spool...think of the spool sitting on the floor in a horizontal plane...pull the thread straight so the spool rolls on the floor...the thread is coming off the spool or cone in a straight pull...not from the top...if you have a 1000m cone and if you can't configure like this, turn the spool upside down so it spools from the bottom to the top....large end of the 1000m cone to the top...this will untwist the natural wind of the thread and help it from knotting...

3 comments
dragonflyer by dragonflyer 23 Oct 2016

...what is the brand of the metallic thread...that could also make a big difference...some are "round" and some are "flat"...

sewmom by sewmom edited 23 Oct 2016

Yes, that's exactly what I was thinking, it has to come off the spool differently so it doesn't twist. Thank you.
I'll look to see if there's an adapter somewhere or I'lll rig something up.

sewmom by sewmom 24 Oct 2016

I think I'll try laying met thread stand on its side.

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by katydid 23 Oct 2016

I haven't stitched with it in a while, but sounds as if you are doing all the recommended things to do. Try another spool and see if the results are better. I had a rayon spool which kept breaking on me and I finally took a sharpie pen and wrote "bad spool " on the bottom. I use it only for quick 1 or 2 minute thread changes. Kay

1 comment
sewmom by sewmom 24 Oct 2016

Thank you.

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by jrob Moderator edited 23 Oct 2016

You can sew with the spool horizontal, I just take my hand sewing needle, thread the metallic thread through it, then stick it through a packing peanut. I then pull the loose end of the metallic thread through the peanut and start threading my machine with it. When I have completed threading my machine, I pull the packing peanut up to the machine, where the thread FIRST begins into the sewing machine. That stops the Phone cord twisting and breaking of the metallic thread. Sewers aid is a liquid silicone that I use on the thread to make it slicker. It doesn't stain or remain anywhere I have ever found it. It comes in a bottle like fray check and can be purchased where notions for sewing are bought. This is a post I made in 2008. I'm still doing it the same way and it's still working for me.

1 comment
sewmom by sewmom 24 Oct 2016

Thank you.

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by noah 23 Oct 2016

I set mine on the floor beside me as it sews on slow that works for me lol

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by graceandham 23 Oct 2016

Some people run it through a drinking straw. Distance is the thing that works for me. I run my thread on a spool stand set pretty far from the machine. Sometimes I use my left and right hands to make "eyelets" to run the thread through (between the machine and the thread stand). Then if I notice it is starting to twist, I stop, cut, back up 10 stitches, untwist the twisting in the thread, rethread and restart. This is only maybe every 5 or 7 minutes, so not a terrible pain. To have the ultimate experience with metallic thread, use the grossly expensive Floriani which is encased in mylar or something and stitches like normal threads. The price is the trade-off.

1 comment
sewmom by sewmom 24 Oct 2016

Thank you.

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by bevintex edited 23 Oct 2016

have you tried running your thread through a packing peanut or piece of styrofoam. Check youtube for Deborah Jones techniques for using metallic thread, she has a short video

3 comments
crafter2243 by crafter2243 23 Oct 2016

Like you said. Great minds think alike. I am just slower then you are.

sewmom by sewmom edited 23 Oct 2016

I could see that helping except that it seems to be twisting so would it be twisted only on the spool side of the peanut?

bevintex by bevintex 23 Oct 2016

I've never tried it so I'm not sure but I would think so

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by crafter2243 Moderator 23 Oct 2016

I think someone said to thread it also through a packaging peanut to stop the thread from curling. I have not tried it myself yet. Let us know if you figured it out and what worked.

1 comment
sewmom by sewmom 23 Oct 2016

Thank you.

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by rescuer Moderator 23 Oct 2016

Put the cup on the floor

1 comment
sewmom by sewmom 23 Oct 2016

Thank you.

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