Hi Jessica
Use that clingy quality to advantage. Pair the metallic with a more cooperative (non-metallic) strand of a similar color. Enough of the metallic will show for the desired sparkly effect.
Keep a spritz bottle of water handy to reduce the static electricity. You might also run a slightly damp cloth quickly down the thread.
Thread and yarns are made by inserting a twist in the natural/artificially-produced fiber. The first twisting is called a single which will twist back unto itself if not processed further.
Another technique uses this natural twisting to advantage. Two singles are plyed (twisted together in the opposite direction) to make a 2-ply yarn. This process may be repeated several times. Even-plyed yarns have virtually no twist. Therefore they should be relatively kinkless.
There is one property of individual fibers which tends to mess up things. Under extreme magnification, it's revealed that natural fibers are not smooth. They look similar to tree bark. Manmade fibers are smoother, more like locust bark. These protrusions can snag on each other causing tangles.
To keep the tangles to a minimum, use shorter lengths of thread...18" or less. When pulling the thread through the cloth, use the needle or thumb of nonsewing hand to help guide the thread.
Also when embroidering or other hand sewing/mending, ALWAYS sew from the end that comes off the bobbin first. This may seem like a brain-dead statement. Yet it's possible to mix the ends after they have been clipped from bobbin or worked piece.
Manufacturers of floss usually indicate which end to work with. I have selected the wrong end when separating strands. And again when I've used the left over floss for other projects. Not much fun.
I hope this is helpful to you.
"Minerva" (according to
www.paleothea.com quiz) <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />
