The Case of the Unraveling Thread

Several solutions

Ever since I posted last month about the case of the unraveling thread and my tangled mess of Razzle and Dazzle thread from WonderFil, I have been getting suggestions of different solutions. Lorrie T emailed me to say that she uses strips of Coban dressing (available at drug stores) around her spools. This dressing only sticks to itself so there is no residue left on the thread, but it’s opaque so the color of the thread would be hidden (depending on the size of the dressing and thread spool). Although this was a great suggestion, I was looking for something that I would be able to see through.

WonderGuard!

Then, last week an envelope arrived in the mail from WonderFil, and guess what it contained? Thread Wraps! WonderFil’s solution to my problem is called WonderGuard! They come in pre-cut strips, in packages of 10 and they have many other uses as well. 

Tidying up my threads

As you can see on the front of the WonderGuard package, you can use these thread guards to hold threads in without clipping or tying, tidy threads and prevent unwinding, keep your thread clean, prevent thread from drying out and to keep thread controlled when you are stitching with it. 

The WonderGuards were easy to roll around the spools of thread – stretching it a little as you roll makes them cling together really well. I’m pretty sure that these threads won’t be unwinding any time soon! I love these thread wraps – getting my unruly threads tamed has made me very happy!

Now on to the “thread of the month”

The next thing that arrived in the mail was a tube of metallic threads from WonderFil. These metallic threads are called Spotlite and the tube is one of their theme packs – mine is a “Christmas Tube” – YAY! But, on the WonderFil website it looks like there are nine different theme tubes available, as well as individual colors.

Spotlite thread

Now, I have to admit, when I opened the package and saw that the threads were metallic, I had a little shot of fear run through me. I DO NOT use metallic thread. Period. I tried using metallic threads many years ago and was so frustrated that I threw them away and have never used any since. When I teach machine quilting, I usually just avoid the topic all together, but I’ve had such success with my other threads from WonderFil, that I’m willing to give it a try.

The WonderFil website says that Spotlite is a 40 wt metallic thread that is smooth running and soft to the touch. It runs at up to 1000 spm with domestic and embroidery machines. Spotlite is a brilliant and dynamic thread that’s great for machine embroidery, quilting, decorative stitching, thread painting, and couching other threads and fibers.

Time to put my thinking cap on 

Now that I have solved the case of the unraveling thread and received my new threads from WonderFil, it’s time to come up with this week’s project. The view from my studio window has changed dramatically since last month, and I’m starting to feel a little Christmas Spirit. I think this tube of Christmas colored metallic thread has my creative juices flowing – come back tomorrow and I will get you started on our Christmas project.