WireLace Thread Review

A few months ago Amy Bunger introduced WireLace, an intriguing metallic available in several widths and colors. Recently I tested out two sizes of this intriguing thread.

It comes in four widths: 1mm, 3 mm, 6mm, and 12mm. All but the 1mm are tubes. The 1mm is a flat ribbon. All four sizes have different amounts for each size. 1mm is on a 10-yard spool. 3mm is on a 5-yard spool. 6mm and 12mm are on 1-yard rolls. It is waterproof, heat resistant, and nickel-free.

Although I didn’t try this, all sizes except the 1mm of WireLace can be expanded to make them both wider and more transparent. The picture above from Amy’s shows what this looks like. Because these wider sizes are tubes, you can also stuff them. Use a thread and you’ll have a DIY metallic Frosty Rays. Use seed beads to get a unique texture for long stitches. Use larger beads for the feeling of beads being “caught” in a wire net.

The tube construction makes these threads excellent for creating embellishments and unusual effects.

I tested both the 1mm and the 3mm and used them in the Designing Women cross pictured above. The 1mm ribbon was used in Tent Stitch for the cross and Cross Stitch for the border. On 13-mesh this thread does not cover really well for Tent Stitch but gave excellent coverage with Cross Stitch. Because the color was close, the poor coverage in Tent modified the color instead of making it took thin. This would not be the case if the colors were not very similar.

The 3mm had better coverage overall. I used it for the Rose Gold dots throughout the piece. Because I wanted these areas to stand out, I initially tried French Knots. But, being a metal thread, it was just to stiff to make tight knots. I switched to Cross Stitches instead. 3mm is about 1/16″ wide, so it too will have thin coverage on 13 mesh in Tent but will be perfect on 18-mesh.

I found both threads very easy to use. I liked the larger spools because the thread didn’t twist much. It was easy to cut with my regular scissors. The ends did have a tendency to splay out making it often hard top thread. Using a needlethreader or cutting on a diagonal will solve this problem.

I did find one slight defect with the 1mm width. As I was stitching the thread would break from time to time, often for no reason. This didn’t happen often but it did happen often enough for it to be a potential problem for some stitchers. The solution is either to rethread the broken end and continue stitching or to use stitching lengths of about 12″.

WireLace currently comes in 30 colors, a mix of many lovey metallics and bright colors.

Currently this thread is only available through Amy’s shop.

I liked WireLace and loved the different look it gave my stitching. I’m planning to use it on lots more projects (I have one in mind right now).