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Thursday, April 09, 2009

Pick A Thread, Any Thread

Do you have a favorite thread? Nymo thread has been my all time favorite for beading. It was the first thread I ever used and the one I keep coming back too. I've tried Salimide, Fireline, One-G and C-lon. The newest thread on the market is Wildfire by Beadalon. It claims the following:
  • Does not fray
  • Cannot be pierced by a needle
  • Ideal for stringing seed beads
  • Near Zero stretch
  • 100% Water Proof
  • Abrasion Resistant
I used my 40% coupon from Michael's Friday and bought a spool of Wildfire. It was a little pricey at $9.99 for 50 ft. I used it to make a peyote square using delicas. My results were not good. The thread broke. I am guessing the tension plays a part in the durability. The type of needle used for bead weaving also is a factor. Jame John needles are sturdier than Pony needles. My conclusion is not all threads are for all projects. The pieces I have made over the years with Nymo thread are still in tact. Those made with Fireline have not fared as well. I'm keeping my giant spool of Nymo

17 comments:

KV said...

Amen, Bev! I'm a Nymo girl, too and never been sorry . . .


Kathy V in NM

Katie said...

I love my Fireline and haven't had any problems with it, but I do agree with you about the Wildfire. I bought some and was not impressed with it...I saw their claim that you can't sew through it, and I did - a few times...I keep meaning to pick it up and try it on another project, but I haven't yet. One day...

Judith said...

I alternate between Nymo and C-Lon and like both. Fireline I always manage to kink and break! Good, now I don't have to try the newest one on the block.

Beverly Herman said...

Kathy I knew you were a Nymo girl!!
I am in good company.

Katie I know a lot of people who would never give up their fireline.

Judith I bought C-lon when it first came out. Maybe I should test it again.

It was good to hear from everyone!

Unknown said...

I have been working with seed beads since the 1970's. I began with regular sewing thread or fishing line and graduated to dental floss. Nymo came along and that was all I used. I have not, however, had the same flawless results reported here. I always blame the knots, but I double and triple knot and top the last one off with a dot of glue. I have also noticed fraying on fringes. I tried Fireline for the first time last year and really like it- the knots felt tight, the tension was even, and there was no fraying. I have never tried to make a fringe using Fireline - I expect it would not lay as nicely as the Nymo. Maybe I should give C-lon a try.

I think I will maintain a combination of threads in my supplies and use Fireline for some pieces, Nymo for others.

s_baghaii said...

I have spent too much money trying things just to wind up with Nymo again as well.

The only time that I have every really wanted an alternative was with this one set of beads that always always frays the thread. I am not sure what to use them for really.

LADY ROOTS said...

Sistren NEB,

My preferred thread is Nymo with Sylamide as a second choice. Since there are no local bead stores here in Jamaica, beading thread is bought by the large spool when I go up to the States. I read yesterday that Nymo wasn't originally formulated for beading, but instead was intended for the shoe making industry!

I am satisfied with those two and the only way I would try a different thread would be if it were included in one of the beading goody bags my friends and family sometimes bring down.

Bless Up,
Lady Roots

Patricia C Vener said...

I'm partial to Silamide, myself but I do have a few small spools of nymo around. I like Silamide because it doesn't need waxing, it's sturdy, knots hold if you pull them tight, the stuff is strong, and it doesn't stretch. I have tried nymo but it doesn't fit my work.

I also use James needles - specifically numbers 10, 12, 13 short tapestry pointed beading needles, Hard to find but so far my source, beadcats has always carried them.

I tried C-lon once. Still have the spool. I think it might be ok for stringing but not for weaving - espeically if one makes a lot of passes through the beads.

Beverly Herman said...

KJ, s_baghaii, LADY ROOTS and V---'-@. Thanks for stopping by and sharing your thread experiences. I have enjoyed hearing about everyone's favorite thread and why.

The Lone Beader® said...

First, they sell Wildfire at Michaels? They don't sell anything worth beading with at my Micheals. And, I was given a spool of Wildfire to bead with recently, and had the opposite results! I LOVE it, and woule bead with it all the time, if I could afford it! It doesn't fray or break even when I tried to cut it with dull scissors! It also glides through the felt I use much easier than Nymo! I would definitely purchase it!!!

Beverly Herman said...

Thelonebeader, I really got it at Michael's with the 40% off coupon the total was $5.99-$6.51 including tax. I will give the Wildfire another try on a bead embroidery piece and see how it works with that techinque.

Adagio Beadcrafters said...

I'm relatively new to the thread department so I used what I was given in a big destash. Fireline has been good to me so far *knock wood* but I'm getting ready to order to Nymo. It sounds like a good backup and I can't wait to try it!

Bead-Mused said...

Bevvie, I've been saying it for years -- there is no thread that is perfect for everything. I'm so glad you said it, too. Nymo/C-Lon (AA) are my faves, but when I work with crystals I use Fireline.

Judith said...

You've an award.....
You can pick it up on my blog
http://beadline.blogspot.com/2009/04/proximity-award.html
Thanks for being the person & blogger you are....

The bad Liz said...

While I do like Fireline and use it alot, I really like the new Wildfire - I was given a spool last year at B&B, and recently received a spool of the green colour.

Another thread that I do like it KO - another Japanese thread. I bought it two years ago at B&B from Bead Cats (http://www.beadcats.com/catalog/supplies/threflat.htm).

The only thing that I use Nymo for is bead embroidery.

Mary Harding said...

Bev, I agree Nymo is the best. I have never liked any other thread for bead weaving. Fireline is just too wiggly and doesn't sit well with the beads at least the way I bead.

gladiolalane said...

has anyone used the invisible thread (sewing) for sz 15s and delicas.....i have used it on two projects and it is quite strong and will go thru the delicas 2-3 times