How to Use Metallic Thread in Cross Stitch | Caterpillar Cross Stitch

In this week's video, Ford shares his most useful tricks, tips, and hacks for mastering metallic floss in cross stitch! Prevent your thread from fraying, splitting, or unraveling, and easily add a beautiful, sparkly effect to your project. If you're new to flosstube and cross stitch, or more experienced, you'll find plenty of stitching ideas and inspiration here!
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ABOUT ME:
Thanks for visiting my channel, I hope you enjoyed the video! I founded Caterpillar Cross Stitch in 2015 when I tried desperately for months to find a modern baby sampler my mum could stitch for new baby Felicity that would fit in with her simple, contemporary nursery. I love cross stitch, running, baking fruit cakes, drinking gin, eating salted caramel ice cream and most crafts!
See you soon and happy stitching! Sally x

[@janet1717]

Wow, the first person and bird to explain these threads. Whoo, whoo

[@SonovaStitch]

Nugget really likes shiny things, so we had to cover this topic!

[@tinaford6]

Great tips, especially about the needle size and fray check. You might also include not making your thread too long. The longer your thread, the more times it suffers wear and tear going through the fabric and needle. Thanks for the great tips!

[@SonovaStitch]

Oh damn! This was originally my first tip but I had to totally reshoot because all my footage was out of focus and I forgot to record that again!

[@lisaboban]

I literally laughed out loud at you "Other names for metallic thread" because I have used all those words myself. The larger needle advice is particularly useful if you are trying to stitch with metallics on linen or higher count even-weaves. But where have you been for my past 50 years of stitching? How did I not think to use Fray Check to stabilize those split ends? Holy moly that's some brilliant advice there!

[@CaterpillarCrossStitch]

Glad you found the video useful! Thanks for watching.

[@katiepetty2651]

Thank you for these great tips!

[@CaterpillarCrossStitch]

You are so welcome!

[@dellamano_designs]

Thank you for the awesome tips! I am excited to start adding some metallic accents to my stitches 😊

[@CaterpillarCrossStitch]

Wonderful! We're so pleased the tutorial has helped!

[@emilycharles9294]

came for the cross stitch content, stayed for the parakeet! nugget is adorable! my nugget is named winston, and they could be twins :)

[@CaterpillarCrossStitch]

So cool!

[@Aspen_stitcher]

Thanks Ford and Nugget for the great tips with metallic floss.

[@CaterpillarCrossStitch]

Thanks for watching!

[@nicolefassett6052]

Oh, you're a breath of fresh air! 😅 I did one crochet project on black material and bought lost my mind. I would just say, don't look so closely😂! I have the matching cross stitch on black again, and it's been put up for years! It's almost drove me crazy. I had all the problems you mentioned and probably more!😂 Thanks for the tips so much🎉!

[@CaterpillarCrossStitch]

Thanks for watching! Glad to hear you are finding the video helpful :)

[@Victrola929]

Ford, I love you and your advise! I REALLY appreciate this video. I tried metallic gloss once and swore I’d never use it again, but I secretly really loved it and wanted to use it. It was the fraying and unevenness that got me. I am so ready to start using it again! Thanks as always! P.S.: I am very curious to know how you guys mount square and rectangular pieces to look like a canvas on an easel.

[@SonovaStitch]

I love the look of metallic floss and use it way more than probably anyone I know. Hope these techniques make it easier to use for you! I'll add canvas mounting to my list of future video ideas!

[@valentinagado84]

Thank you for the tips 😊 I use a tip that came from DMC when they put Light Effect on the market Double one thread put the loop in the eye of the needle and then the point in the loop 😍 love it and stick to it since then ☺ hope will help too

[@SonovaStitch]

I've tried this but personally I didn't like it because I couldn't adjust the tension difference between my two strands easily, so I often wound up with very wonky stitches.

[@valentinagado84]

@@SonovaStitch Everyone has its own 🙂 thanks for sharing

[@CaterpillarCrossStitch]

Thank you for sharing!

[@angelamsartain]

That’s what I did for my recent project. Worked great!

[@juagilltrap6191]

Good tips! Thank you.

[@CaterpillarCrossStitch]

Thanks for watching!

[@snurfbee58]

Thank you Ford! I have several kits that use metallic floss and I've avoided them specifically because I've had such bad luck in the past using them. This video is incredibly helpful!

[@CaterpillarCrossStitch]

Lovely to hear the video has been helpful, thank you for watching!

[@JaniceCostley]

Incredible tips, I might try again.

[@SonovaStitch]

It's still a pain, but these tips mitigate it for sure. It's so pretty when it's done that I can't resist it even though I know I'll be putting a lot of money in the swear jar.

[@peggymartinez5350]

Thank you the great tips.

[@SonovaStitch]

Thanks for watching!

[@susanloughnane4380]

Loved the video - laughed out loud at the names it could be called - (I had not heard this floss referred to as such...), haha....Great tips - I used Fray Check liquid many years ago on my daughter's Irish Dance dress to keep the threads from coming loose and fraying. Never thought of using it on the ends of metallic floss!

[@SonovaStitch]

I keep a bottle in my WIP box at all times. It's even more necessary with satin thread!

[@debsylvania]

Great tips! I'm pretty new to cross stitch and haven't actually worked with metallic thread yet, but am now fully prepared for it. Scritches to Nugget!

[@SonovaStitch]

Godspeed! These tips will help, but you'll still probably swear a lot!

[@s4ir4w]

Some great tips, been sewing years and never used fray check so I’ll be having a go thank you.

[@SonovaStitch]

It's really handy stuff! I would especially never stitch with synthetic floss (neon, glow in the dark, or satin) without it!

[@lorenaariasbuentello5926]

Thank you for your help. I’ve found that while working with metallic floss, doing one complete cross stitch makes it easier. But that’s me. 😊

[@CaterpillarCrossStitch]

No problem! Thanks for watching!

[@JillybeanL66]

Thanks again, for another great tip

[@CaterpillarCrossStitch]

Thanks for watching!

[@kathleenpatterson3963]

Thank you that is so helpful

[@CaterpillarCrossStitch]

You're very welcome!

[@carmencharles3842]

Thank you for the video. I’ve only used metallic thread a few times but I’ve also heard people knot their thread on the needle so it doesn’t continue to slip off the needle.

[@CaterpillarCrossStitch]

Thank you for watching and for sharing your tip!

[@007sCatwoman]

Thank you for the great tips!

[@CaterpillarCrossStitch]

Thanks for watching :)

[@prietom1031]

Thank you for these very helpful tips. I always learn a lot with your videos. Would you consider a tutorial on how to iron my cross stitch the right way?

[@CaterpillarCrossStitch]

Great suggestion!

[@joanngreen9714]

You reminded me of my mother she had a parakeet that would sit on her shoulders. ❤ Thank you for the info on metallic thread I have some and I need to use it❤

[@SonovaStitch]

It's so pretty I just can't help myself, but it definitely takes more patience and care to make it look good in

[@lisastevens6561]

Nugget!!!! Yay Hilarious naming for metallic threads!!! I’ve used several. 😂 Great tips!

[@CaterpillarCrossStitch]

Thanks for watching!

[@Griwhoolda]

I loved your cold open for this video.: "....metallic floss in cross stitching... No - wait... come back!"🤣

[@CaterpillarCrossStitch]

Thank you for watching! We love Fords humour too!

[@MauraVH]

Great tips! I would love a similar video on how to work with the DMC satin and étoile threads!

[@CaterpillarCrossStitch]

Great suggestion! Thank you!

[@suekay5353]

Great info! What size needle would you use for 16 and 18 count Aida? Thanks so much!!!

[@SonovaStitch]

Different brands, types, and treatments of aida will have different size holes, so it will depend mostly on that Generally I'd probably go 24 on 16ct and 26 on 18ct, which is one size larger than is usually recommended. If you have an assortment of sizes, I'd just say use the smallest one that doesn't make that "pop and scrape" sound that's a sign of undue friction on the floss!

[@CaterpillarCrossStitch]

Thank you for watching

[@CaterpillarCrossStitch]

Thanks for being here Caterpillar Crew! Please like and subscribe and don't forget to claim your 10% off discount code for your first order by tapping here: eepurl.com/giThcT Sally and Ford x

[@therapistitcher523]

Another super helpful video… I found the other names section most educational! 😂 Nugget gave so much sage advice as well. Do you secure the first stitch and final stitches the same way you do with cotton floss?

[@SonovaStitch]

Yes, in general. Metallic floss can't handle as tight of a turning radius as cotton floss, so loop start requires more care to make sure the floss hasn't twisted or looped, and the loop start from the front trick doesn't really work very well. Also probably switch back to a smaller size needle while burying the ends because the floss won't stretch. I also secure my ends more thoroughly, since you can't count on the friction caused by that stretching to hold the floss. I always make sure to go under at least 6 stitches total and with a 180 degree turn partway through, if that makes sense (so slip under 3 stitches, turn back the other way and slip under 3 stitches the other way)

[@mylindabarrick]

Thank you! Makes me want to try it! Is there a reason your hoop is upside down...or have I been using a hoop wrong?!

[@SonovaStitch]

I call this "stitching in the well" (as opposed to "on the drum" and I like it better because it's easier to hold the piece without touching the front of the fabric, plus the hoop doesn't get in the way of me burying my thread ends when I need to finish off a strand that's close to the edge!

[@marilynsmith5391]

I'mglad your bird is back I was worried about him. thank you for the tutorial

[@SonovaStitch]

Nugget has missed their fans as well! Thanks for watching!

[@sarahabdullah8503]

Fray Check 2:30

[@karensanders8061]

Oh my I was using some the weekend and I felt like I was having a row with the thread, what I would like to know is how to keep the thread in the needle, the times i had to re-thread the needle I think I used all those names its given to it.

[@CaterpillarCrossStitch]

Make sure you pull the thread through the needle to create a tail. Grasp the thread end that you pushed through the needle and pull at least 2 inches of it through the needle. This will create a tail that prevents the thread from slipping back out through the needle. Hope that helps, thanks for watching!

[@karensanders8061]

@@CaterpillarCrossStitch I never have problems with normal floss just the awful metallic, I do leave more than 2inches but if I don't pinch the end of the needle, which is uncomfortable to sew with, it just unthreads it self. Good job I hardly ever use it 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@hannamansfield2894]

Thanks for the tips....great to know. And Hello to Nugget...lol.

[@SonovaStitch]

Thanks for watching!

[@alisonmary1443]

Nugget 😂💖💖💖 little lovey.

[@SonovaStitch]

They're a little star, for sure.

[@mymrbailey1]

How many strands are used to cross stitch with?

[@CaterpillarCrossStitch]

Your pattern will give you the number of threads required :)

[@angelamsartain]

I didn’t know any better when I chose dark ruby red light effects for a project that used only one color 😵 I didn’t love using it, but the project is done and it’s beautiful! When I went back to standard DMC, it felt like silk 😂😂

[@CaterpillarCrossStitch]

I bet that looked awesome!

[@janet1717]

Wow, a cross stitcher with a parakeet buggie on his shoulder explaining metallic threads. Try Soie silk in metallics. This is great

[@SonovaStitch]

What can I say, I'm a man of varied enthusiasms! I'll see if my LNS has Soie! Thanks for the tip!