UPDATED: June 14, 2018 I’m under the weather with the flu, so I’m republishing this thread review from the archives. Our Thread Festival continues for another week!
A few years ago 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 initial colors. Currently it is available in 62 colors, all semi-solids.
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.
If you do other kinds of needlework, this stranded thread is a better choice than their Overdyed Vineyard Silk. Because both threads are available in many of the same colors, they give you great flexibility to use overdid silks in needlepoint.
That leaves you with an annoying three strands. Because of the way Threadworx dyes, you can probably color match. My suggestion, however, 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.
About Janet M Perry
Janet Perry is the Internet's leading authority on needlepoint. She designs, teaches and writes, getting raves from her fans for her innovative techniques, extensive knowledge and generous teaching style. A leading writer of stitch guides, she blogs here and lives on an island in the northeast corner of the SF Bay with her family
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