06 May 2011

New thread test SUCCESS!

Since I still wasn't quite satisfied with yesterday's thread tests for the silk charmeuse, I looked again at the thread section at Hancock (yes, hubby also included hitting Hancock as part of yesterday's anniversary outing).  Something *shiny* caught my eye this time: Sulky viscose/rayon embroidery thread!  They had two types, and I got the high quality one (after all, this IS for silk charmeuse) with the 943- in front of its SKU number.

I just finished a test on one of my few remaining scrap pieces, and am pleased.  I have found the right thread for this project!  Other than forgetting to trim the edge on the french seam, this one came out pretty much perfect:

Sulky rayon thread on silk charmeuse
 If you click through to the larger image, the label on the spool came out in focus and is readable.  I'm getting a better feel for pressing the silk charmeuse as well ... I just need to let the iron sit on top of the press cloth a little longer than other fabrics.  Pictured is my best seam so far ... and it even looks like the thread smooths out a bit when pressed.  Did I mention the rayon's shiny sheen closely matches the silk charmeuse's shine?

While exploring Hancock's thread section, I discovered the problem with the Gutterman cotton thread: I bought the wrong kind by accident.  In our local Hancock, the 200m spools are handquilting thread.  The 100m and 800m spools are for machine use ... strange.  But it does explain the stiffness in the seams.  I have moved this spool and what remains on the bobbin here to my desk where I do all hand sewing.  The Gutterman machine cotton thread looked like it would probably work, but it didn't have the shine that the rayon thread does.  "Shiny for the win!" as my hubby and son would say.

NOW I am finally ready to put this blouse together ...

2 comments:

glorm said...

Congratulations:

on figuring out the best thread and
on your anniversary and
on the pressing

Now go forward!

Margaret said...

You know what, I had to use rayon embroidery thread for sewing once, too. I had a silk crepe and nothing else I tried would even consistently form a stitch. I'm guessing the fabric was rough and tightly woven, and all the other threads were catching on it as the needle tried to push them through... also most of the threads were too thick for the tiny needle I ended up having to use. Could've suggested it earlier if I'd thought of it :/

Congratulations on getting the thread and the pressing to work out, and on your anniversary, and good luck on the rest of the sewing!