This week we have been trialling the hand dyed mercerised cotton from Paintbox Threads.
Always on the look out for something new to add to the repertoire, I discovered this wonderful collection of hand dyed cotton and silk threads manufactured in Britain by Paintbox Threads.
Available as single 100m or 50m skeins or in packs of 6 or 10 50m skeins there is a stunning collection of colours to choose from, so I opted for the seasonally apt “Trees in Maine” 10 pack collection.
The threads arrived promptly and were well packaged and as with all new embroidery threads the
hands were itching to use them, so I chose one of our designs which is an adaptation of the 16th century work by Lunardo Fero.
Excellent quality thread
Embroidering with the mercerised cotton thread was a pleasant experience.
The thread has a beautiful sheen which did not diminish towards the end of the length (as can happen with some pearl cottons).
Sewing with it is a real pleasure, it did not fluff or lose it’s twist right to the very last stitch.
Supplied as a single strand skein, the skein was just the right length to cut for embroidery and the strands are about the same thickness as a size 12 Perle cotton.
I do not usually use Perle threads for silk shading as they just have a little too much twist for my liking but I thought I would put these to the test.
The strands do have a twist so will not blend as smoothly as stranded Mouline or flat silk but I was really quite pleased with the result and if a gentle texture is something you require, then these Paintbox threads are ideal.
Size 12 perle cotton are not easy to obtain and certainly not in such a wonderful colour palette, so Hardanger embroidery fans are just going to love this range.
Colour variation
Although the colours in the range are listed as “plain”, because they have been hand dyed there is a slight variation along the length which adds depth and character to the embroidery.
The colour fastness of our design has not yet been tested but I have been assured by the manufacturer “…that the cotton threads are really good on their wash and light fastness (so long as it is not direct sunlight).”
“There may be a little colouring of the washing liquid with the dark/intense colours, but they have not had any issues in their own work with them colouring other threads or backing fabrics.”
“The silks are very good with their wash fastness. They don’t perform quite as well with the light fastness, but it is still a pretty high standard.”
I like these threads so much, that students will be able to use them in our 2017 season of embroidery classes. I will also be adding them to the design portfolio for a new range of embroidery kits which I hope will be available on our website this year.
More information
Paintbox Threads will be at the Harrogate Knit and Stitch for the first time this year with their complete range, so please do go and pay them a visit.
To find out more visit the Paintbox Threads official website where you can also purchase online.