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Uses And Care for Kreinik Braids

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Applications depend on the thickness of the braid but include: appliqué (hand and machine), blackwork, costumes, crazy quilting (hand and machine), crewel, crochet, cross stitch/counted thread, doll making (hand and machine), fly fishing, hardanger, kids crafts, knitting (by hand), lace making, machine embroidery/bobbin work, machine embroidery/couching, machine embroidery/in the needle, miniatures, needlepoint/canvas work, plastic canvas, punch embroidery, quilting (hand and machine), ribbon embroidery, serging, silk gauze/Polysil embroidery, smocking, stumpwork, tatting, weaving.

The Very Fine (#4) , Fine (#8), Tapestry (#12), and Medium (#16) Braids are available in these types: Basic, Hi lustre, Glow-in-the-dark, Vintage, and Corded braids. The Heavy (#32) Braid is available in Basic, Hi lustre, and Glow-in-the-dark.

Hand Embroidery
Kreinik Braids are used alone rather than combined with another thread type in the needle. Use the metallic braids to recreate the color and texture of nature and life, such as glistening snow, luminescent butterflies, glowing moons and stars, polished black leather shoes, shimmering fish or sea life, and more. You can also use their light-reflecting properties to create mood in a design; imagine the radiant stardust of an angel, the magical shimmer of a mermaid, or the crystalline coating of a winter's snowfall. Of course, you can also use the metallic braids just to bring sparkle, depth, texture and visual interest to any project, whether it is worked in crochet, cross stitch, canvas work, crewel, or ribbon embroidery. Don't be afraid of adding a light source in a design and replacing a cotton or wool thread for a metallic thread; the effect of combining different thread textures can be more visually exciting than a design worked in a single thread type. With these braids, your creative possibilities are endless.

Machine Embroidery
Whether you are creating an art quilt, wearable art, bridal items, home decor, embroidered accessories, or other creations on a sewing machine, Kreinik Braids offer colorful, textured embellishment options. Depending on their size, they can be used in the bobbin, in the needle, or couched. Experiment with tension settings, needles, machine feet and thread set-ups until you get a combination that works for your machine and fabric. Using decorative threads with a sewing machine may take a little extra time, but the colors and textures won't disappoint you in the finished project. They can create award-winning, memory-making, dynamic visual effects.

Care
Kreinik Braids are hand or machine washable and dry cleanable. Cool water is recommended. Do not use bleach. They can also be tumble-dried on low setting. When ironing a finished piece containing Kreinik Braids, do not iron directly on the thread; use a cloth, and do not use steam.

Tips on using Kreinik Braids in hand work:
The Very Fine (#4), Fine (#8) and Tapestry (#12) come on a snap-spool mechanism. Both sides of the spool open; look for the side where the thread end is located. Insert your thumbnail under the cap, and rotate the spool while gently lifting the cap to release the thread (the cap should not pop off). Snap the lid shut to secure the unused portion.

The Medium (#16) and Heavy (#32) Braids have a lock-flange mechanism: the thread 'locks' in the groove around the top of the spool. Simply pull the thread to release. Wrap the thread in the groove to secure the unused portion.

Use short lengths of thread-about 45cm (18 inches) or less-to avoid excessive abrasion when pulling the thread through the ground fabric or canvas. The more we pull a strand through fabric or canvas, the more 'wear' it causes on the thread. Using shorter lengths will maintain the quality of the thread, plus reduce tangling as shorter lengths are easier to control (less knotting!).

If you are stitching on fabric, use a needle large enough to 'open' the hole in the fabric sufficiently and allow the thread to go through more easily.

Threading Technique for Kreinik Braids
For a quick-and-easy, take-anywhere threading technique, cut a small strip of paper and fold in half. Place the fold through the eye of the needle and open the two ends to insert the thread in between. Gently pull the paper through so the thread is brought with it

You may wish to moisten the braid with a slightly damp sponge, or moisture from your own hands after rubbing them together, to help relax the thread and thus reduce twisting and knotting.

The way a needle is twisted during stitching, combined with the twist of the thread, can cause any thread to twist on itself. Stitch slowly for greater control, and let your needle hang frequently to let the thread untwist.

Stitch using the 'stab' method rather than the 'hand sewing' method to reduce tangling, working your stitches in two movements: up vertically then down vertically through the fabric.