Change is coming to a classic Kreinik color

We want to let you know that Kreinik color 002HL has a slight dye lot change that will be taking effect in the next few weeks. The new 002HL is still beautifully brassy, but just a bit darker in shade. 

Unfortunately, dye lot changes happen periodically. They are the bane of any fiber maker. We hate the thought that a project-in-progress could be ruined by a color change. We always recommend buying enough thread at one time to finish a project to avoid dye lot issues. In the day of bargain thread sales on ebay or yard sales, or even with shops (or Kreinik) clearing out old stock, there is always a risk that a color may have changed—and that applies to any fiber, any maker, any brand.

We regularly label the dye lots on our Silk Mori, but have never done special designation on the metallics. Stitcher Donna suggested we start identifying dye lots with the metallics, and we agree. So when you receive the new 002HL, spools will have an extra marking above the size; in this case, the letter “B” designating a dye lot difference. From now on, a stand-alone letter on the label It will be shown on any metallic experiencing a dye lot difference. 

We are so sorry for the inconvenience of the change in 002HL. It won't be drastic, but it may be noticeable if you are stitching a project with an older spool. 

In the meanwhile...

The big fiber sale at our outlet store is this week: October 5, 6, 7, 2017 at 1708 Gihon Road, Parkersburg, West Virginia. Grab your friends—shop owners, get a busload of customers—and come for some fun: 

• silk thread specials, ideal for sampler fans, weavers, and fiber artists
• metallic on cones for big projects, weaving, jewelry making, fly fishing, and every other technique
• cross stitch fabrics at a clearance price (premium quality, leftover from kits)
• accessories galore (yes, you need more needles)

Hope to see you soon! Click here for more details: http://kreinikthread.blogspot.com/2017/09/super-3-day-sale-at-kreinik-factory.html

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Who stitches with ribbons?

In your year of becoming a Kreinik thread expert, we've been studying Kreinik A To Z. This week's

lesson is: R Is For Ribbons. They may not be as well known as Kreinik Braids, but Kreinik's metallic ribbons are staples to many needle artists and growing in popularity among younger stitchers. Why; who stitches with ribbons? Let's find out.

Embroidery

A few decades ago, ribbon embroidery on denim was hot. Kreinik and Leisure Arts published a "how to use metallic ribbon in embroidery" booklet that was popular. Fast forward to today, and embroidery on clothing is back, albeit in an updated style and on different fabrics. Embroidered costumes—like the ones by Michele Carragher in Game of Thrones—are in demand. The more embroidery in general grows in popularity, the more stitchers seek out a variety of threads to make their designs dimensional and interesting. Kreinik 1/4" Ribbon, for instance, was created by request from Japanese embroiderers who wanted a wider size. It is now used in general embroidery for specialty stitches like woven spider web roses and other flower stitches. 

Needlepoint 

The draw of stitching with a ribbon is the flat texture. When used in needlepoint, a metallic ribbon gives you maximum light reflection. Needlepointers have found that Kreinik 1/16" Ribbon gives great coverage in tent stitch on 18-mesh canvas, while Kreinik 1/8" Ribbon is good on larger mesh. Couching techniques use the wider 1/8" Ribbon for layered stitches. The way we make the ribbons—a woven braid, if you will—means they are flexible and move easily into any specialty stitch. 

Plastic Canvas

The flat ribbons have been used to stitch plastic canvas projects for years because they cover so beautifully and give a smooth look. Young stitchers are picking up this medium as an alternative to cross stitch fabric, and finding the need for fibers that cover the edges.  Both 1/8" Ribbon and 1/4" Ribbon work perfectly on plastic canvas.

Cross Stitch

Yes, you can cross stitch with a flat ribbon like 1/16" or 1/8" Ribbon, even on the traditional 14-count Aida (just use a larger needle). It makes an interesting border when worked in giant "X" formation. Also, as people are looking for more unusual items to stitch on, such as screens, pegboard, chairs, etc, the larger size such as 1/4" Ribbon covers nicely. The pop of color from the metallic, and the flat surface from the ribbon combines to make a stand-out design or stand out area in a cross stitch design.

Fiber Art

As people expand their creative passions into felting, sculpture, weaving, machine embroidery, and other fiber arts, they are mixing materials to make things more interesting. There are no rules to this kind of creativity, which is exciting. They depend on a variety of textures, finding flat ribbons to be ideal companions to round yarns, stiff real metals, round hardware parts and such. It all works together to make any fiber art more dimensional. 

Fly Fishing

If you're mate's a fly fishing fan, you may have noticed them stealing some of your metallic threads for their lures. Fish love the sparkly stuff. The ribbons are used for wrapping, bodies, and wings. Shred the ends a bit to make the thread ravel (use this technique in needlework too, for interesting stitches and fuzzy texture). 

And more

There are so many other uses for flat metallic ribbons, the options are truly endless. They are great in tassels, as bookmarks, as decorations in hair styles, wrapped around bouquets, luggage identifiers, and ornament hangers. The sparkle adds elegance when anywhere. They offer color, shine, a flat texture, and a 3-D touch. 

Try ribbons for your next creation, or keep some on hand for decorating emergencies. For more information:

• Kreinik 1/16" Ribbon color range: http://www.kreinik.com/shops/1-16-Ribbon-10m.html
• Kreinik 1/8" Ribbon color range: http://www.kreinik.com/shops/1-8-Ribbon-5m.html
• Kreinik 1/4" Ribbon color range: http://www.kreinik.com/shops/1-4-Ribbon.html

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Why ironing is the best thing since sliced bread

With today's resurgence in Home Arts—thanks to magical books about tidying up plus entertaining new decorating shows on tv—it's time to start ironing again! Oh, don't groan. This kind of ironing is fun, doesn't require standing, and there's no steam involved. Just use that lonely iron for good, for creativity, for all that is good in the world: to embellish gifts, decor, anything really, with iron-on metallic threads.

We know you like to make things, so these threads may be an exciting new fiber to play with when you're doodling, coloring, looking up projects on Pinterest and such. They are so easy to use, and you can use them anywhere (even on your coloring books). Here are all the details.

What are iron-on metallic threads?

• A thread line made by Kreinik in West Virginia
• The fiber contains heat-activated adhesive—not sticky to the touch, but will stick to a surface when ironed
• Available in Kreinik Medium #16 Braid (a round thread) and 1/8" Ribbon (a flat thread).
• Available in metallic and glow-in-the-dark colors. See the choices here: http://www.kreinik.com/shops/Iron-On-Threads/

What's so great about them?

• No skill required
• No sewing, stitching, counting, charting required
• As long as you're old enough to use a hot iron, you can use these threads (great for kids' summer crafts)
• Decorate scrapbooks, cards, signs, coloring books, tags, mail, mixed media, any paper (they make store-bought cards look high end)
• Embellish quilts, graduation caps, jeans, pillows, costumes, fiber art, any fabric (perfect for putting names on Christmas stockings)
• Make it look like you embroidered on birdhouses, ornaments, chalkboards, picture frames, or any wooden/hard surface (Get ready to hear, "How did you do that?")
• There's no right or wrong side to them, no "front" or "back" (twist, turn to your heart's desire)

 

What else do you need to know?

• You can finally use that mini craft iron you bought years ago! 
• If your home iron or craft iron doesn't have a non-stick plate, put one of these on it: Kreinik's Adhesive Press Cloth. It will keep your iron clean. See how it works: http://www.kreinik.com/shops/VIDEO-Adhesive-Press-Cloth.html
• You can wash clothes decorated with iron-on threads (by hand preferred, or on Gentle) but after a few washings they may pop off. To secure, just couch them down. 

How to get started?

• Get some freebie patterns and ideas, available for download here: http://www.kreinik.com/shops/Iron-On-Thread-c-501/
• Watch videos or read more here: http://www.kreinik.com/shops/Iron-On-Thread-c-501/
• Buy them at your favorite needlework store, online sources, or here: http://www.kreinik.com/shops/Iron-On-Threads/
• Get a starter set, including a craft iron, like this: http://www.kreinik.com/shops/Quilter-Crafter-Iron-Set.html

Personalizing your home and gifts is more popular than ever. No one wants to look exactly the same as everyone else. These iron-on threads offer a quick and clever way to leave your mark—a sparkling, metallic or glow-in-the-dark mark—to brighten your corner of the world. 

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