The pattern for this ornament is a free one from The Caron Collection
Early this year Threadworx came out with a line of overdyed silk, using as its base the Soie d’Alger from Au Ver A Soie.
The turquoise on the ornament above is one of the 20 initial colors, all of them semi-solids like this one.
While this isn’t my favorite silk thread, I found Threadworx easier to use than AVAS’ own threads. The only reason for this that I can think of is that European and American laws about dyes are different. It was just lovely to use.
However, there are limitations to the use of this thread. Because they can affect the amount of thread you buy, you need to be aware of them. Soie d’Alger is a seven-strand thread. If you are stitching on 13 or 14 mesh, this is a perfect size. If you are stitching on 18 mesh, however, this presents a problem. You will want to use four strands for most stitches.
That leaves you with an annoying three strands. Because of the way Threadworx dyes, you can probably color match. My suggestion is that you reverse the direction of two of the strands. Then you can combine two of the leftover strands with two leftovers from another thread. You will get a more overall distribution of color.
Because the skein size is small (5.5 yards), you need to be careful about amounts. The ornament here, where I didn’t reverse strands and didn’t use the three extra strands, took an entire skein. Be sure to buy enough thread for your project.
This skein of thread was provided to me free of charge for testing purposes.
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We live in a resort town and there is no where within 50 miles where we can buy Threadworx. What is a substitution fiber? After reading the article above, I am using 18 guage canvas.
Thank you,
Sandy Reeves
For overdyed silks, here are some options: Gloriana makes both an overdyed 12-strand silk and an overdyed Au ver a Soie. Other companies that make over-dyed 12-strand silk are: Crescent Colours and Thread Gatherer.
For most applications, you could substitute an over-dyed cotton floss, but the look would be somewhat different, since it isn’t silk.
Keep Stitching,
Janet