Palazzo Medici

Experimenting with different threads can be expensive, as you would normally have to buy a whole skein of each type of thread. So it occurred to me to make up thread twisties with dozens of different threads. For the price of just a few skeins, you get to play with a bundle of threads of luscious colours and many different textures.

Each thread twist contains silk, cotton, rayon and wool. As far as possible, each thread twist consists of threads that are all different. Threads range from extra fine (the same thickness as one strand of embroidery floss) to chunky (the same thickness as 8 strands of embroidery floss). All threads have a soft and manageable drape so that twisting them around a needle makes experimental hand embroidery a fun and fascinating journey, rather than a battle.  I have hand-dyed many of these threads myself.  There is great variety in these thread twists – you may find a similar thread twist, but no two will be identical.

Each pack of thread twisties has at least 35 threads cut to 2 meters (79 inches) lengths.   As a rule of thumb, you generally find that one metre of thread is enough to work a line of stitching on a sampler that is 6-8 inches wide or embellish a seam on a crazy quilting project. While this depends to some extent on the particular stitch, 2 meters will give you enough to experiment, with a bit more to play with if you choose.