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Glow-in-the-dark thread

Posted: Fri Jun 07, 2013 9:14 am
by Kamfer
I'm thinking about stitching a GitD bookmark for my sister, and went to the big internet looking.. And then I discovered that I knew even less than I thought (that is, next to nothing) about it :blush: . So I decided to ask the All-Knowing Forum a few questions, to learn a bit more.

1) Does any of Dmc's threads glow in the dark (except the one that's called Glow in the Dark. That one is quite obvious...)? And if so, do they glow in the "right" color?
2) Can I use machine sewing thread doubled or tripled up as I would regular 2 strand Dmc? Seems there's a lot more of those.
3) Are there other brands that have GitD thread in different colors?
4) If I take one strand if GitD Dmc or machine thread and mix it with one regular strand, will the glowing still be visible?
5) Where can I buy these elusive things? Websites are the way to go for me, since my local shops only has the standard Dmc threads.
6) Any tips/hints on working with GitD thread?

Anything you can tell me will be much appreciated. :)

Re: Glow-in-the-dark thread

Posted: Fri Jun 07, 2013 9:28 am
by blackmageheart
1) No, but some of the fluorescent ones glow nice under a UV light!
2) Don't see why not? :D
3) I'm not sure, but some people in the glow in the dark challenge a few months back did a little research into various glow in the dark cottons and things, so that could be a place to start.
4) I think so :)
5) Definitely online, I get em cheap from Ebay shops!
6) It's very shiny like satin/rayon threads so is sometimes awkward to handle. Use shorter lengths and make sure to untwist it regularly is the only real advice I can offer!

Re: Glow-in-the-dark thread

Posted: Fri Jun 07, 2013 1:15 pm
by stitchingmama
3. Kreinik blending filament (more like plastic than thread), I have green, yellow, pink, blue, orange but I don't have the purple.
4. Yes but it will not glow as bright and may not look great if you don't "railroad"
5. eBay had the best online price that I saw but maybe 123stitch.com also
6. Short lengths are best, untwist frequently b/c it tends to look too "worked"/frayed if you railroad frequently. Also I found using 1 strand doubled over cut down on twisting and slip knots. I found using glow very rewarding but you have to go slow and only stitch when you have patience. I learned the hard way that the orange filament glows a distinct colour of orange and had to pick out 30+ glow stitches, do NOT make the same mistake please :cry:

Re: Glow-in-the-dark thread

Posted: Fri Jun 07, 2013 2:23 pm
by kuja.girl
I would recommend using this needle threading technique with glow-in-the-dark thread: http://www.kreinik.com/shops/Kreinik-Bl ... nique.html
It's what I've used in the past and it helps a lot with tension and railroading. You do have to stitch in short lengths which is annoying but trust me, it's better than having it knot up because once that stuff knots it does NOT unknot.

Re: Glow-in-the-dark thread

Posted: Fri Jun 07, 2013 10:52 pm
by Kamfer
Thanks! But one question. What is to railroad? Not familiar with that term... (yeah, I'm a noob. I know. ;) )

Re: Glow-in-the-dark thread

Posted: Sat Jun 08, 2013 5:46 am
by stitchingmama
Kamfer wrote:Thanks! But one question. What is to railroad? Not familiar with that term... (yeah, I'm a noob. I know. ;) )
I had no idea either before lurking on this forum. Someone on the site shared this link http://crossstitch.about.com/od/learnho ... ngtech.htm and my cross stitching improved 10x!

Re: Glow-in-the-dark thread

Posted: Sat Jun 08, 2013 1:17 pm
by kuja.girl
rail roading takes longer but it makes the stitches look really nice. Basicly you just make sure the strands lay side-by-side and not twisted or on top of each other. There are a couple of different techniques, there are some how-to examples floating around the net.