RETURN POLICY ON THREAD: Like most needlework retailers, we do not allow returns on thread except when there has been an error on our part. Please keep this in mind before you buy. When in doubt, we recommend you buy and test a small amount prior to ordering larger quantities. We have very low shipping charges of approximately $1.75 for small thread orders to enable you to do this affordably. There are many reasons for this, but a primary reason is that once the thread has left our store, we can no longer verify that it has been kept clean and unused, and in most cases, we can no longer tell which dye lot a given thread came from. Therefore you can be confident that the thread you buy from us is clean, unused, and that we can send you multiple skeins from a single dye lot when that is important. If you buy thread from a company that accepts returned thread, how do you know where the thread they sell you has been before it gets to you?

This page last updated January 19, 2010.

METALLIC & REAL METAL THREADS

METALLIC THREADS (synthetic)

KREINIK METALLICS have a large color range, with most colors available in several types of thread. Please note that older publications refer to these as "Balger" metallics. These threads are:

Blending filament (regular) is a very fine weight thread with a crinkly texture. It is abbreviated as "B.F." on the color listing below.

Blending filament (high luster) is a very fine weight thread with a smooth shiny texture.

Cord is a very fine weight thread with a smooth texture and round construction.

Cable (gold and silver only) is made of three strands of cord twisted together.

Braid comes in five sizes, #4, #8, #12, #16 and #32 (#4 is the finest; #32 is the heaviest). It is made of blending filament or cord which has been braided together to make a heavier, rounded thread. It comes in the same colors as the regular and high luster blending filaments and cords, and also in blended colors which are made of more than one color of blending filament (#4 and #12 braid currently come in a limited number of colors).

Ribbon, like the braid, is made of blending filaments and cords, but in a flat, ribbon-like construction. It comes in 1/16" and 1/8" widths.

Ombre is made of either silver or gold blending filament braided loosely with another thread to give the construction some color (except for gold, silver and pearl all the ombre colors are variegated).

Braid and Ribbon are also available in "Japan Gold" #002J and "Japan Silver" #001J. Prices are slightly higher than for regular braid and ribbon.

People with older patterns may see this thread referred to as "Balger" (Balger is a French name and is pronounced "Ball-zhay", not "Ball-jer.").

For a listing of which colors are available in which type of thread, click here (this is intended to open a second web browser but the link might not work if you have popups blocked on your computer, so if this link does not work, please try this link). Grayed areas indicates that the color is not presently available in this type of thread. 1/16" refers to 1/16" ribbon; 1/8" refers to 1/8" ribbon. Because of very limited demand for size 32 braid, this size will now be availablel from us by special order (we may, however, already have some colors in stock so please inquire).

For Japan Gold 002J, Japan Silver 001J Japan Dark Gold 321J colors in braid and ribbon, see next heading under Japan Metallic.

JAPAN METALLIC (synthetic) is made of a narrow metallic strip wrapped around a core. It comes in three sizes, with size 1 being the smallest (about the size of Kreinik cord) and size 7 the largest. Sizes 5 and 7 are most often used as a couching (laid on the surface) rather than as a passing (stitched into the fabric) thread. Size 1 Japan silver and gold have also been made into braids and ribbons.

Size 1 Japan Thread is available on 44 yard (40 meter) spools in these colors:

• 001J Silver
• 002J Gold
• 321J Dark Gold

Price per spool of Japan size 1: $1.55

Size 5 Japan Thread is available in 11 yard (10 meter) skeins in these colors:

• 001J Silver
• 002J Gold
• 003J Red
• 008J Green
• 110J Black Onyx
• 160J Rustic Gold
• 165J Oriental Bronze
• 170J Natural Pewter
• 200J Hot Chocolate
• 216J Native Copper
• 220J Burnished Gold
• 245J Bright Magenta
• 280J Country Blue

Price per skein of Japan size 5: $2.10

Size 7 Japan Thread is available in 11 yard (10 meter) skeins in these colors:

• 001J Silver
• 002J Gold
• 021J Copper
• 220J Burnished Gold

Price per skein of Japan size 7: $2.10

DMC METALLIC FLOSS or "Light Effects" is a 6-ply fine-weight metallic. It originally came in twelve colors (but one of the colors, 5291 Royal Blue is now discontinued and no longer available). In the summer of 2005 DMC is expanding the color range to a total of 36 colors and renumbering the original eleven colors. These eleven colors will have both old and new numbers printed on their labels for a year and a half to help in the transition. The new numbering system begins with E followed by an approximate color match in DMC cotton floss (in most cases - but a few colors do not have cotton floss equivalents). Available colors listed in color families are:

PRECIOUS METALS

White Gold	E677
Light Gold	E3821	(formerly 5282)
Dark Gold	E3852	(formerly 5284)
Silver	E168	(formerly 5283
Copper	E301	(formerly 5279)
Titanium	E317	(formerly 5287

JEWELS

Pink Amethyst	E316	(formerly 5288)
Amethyst	E155
Purple Ruby	E3837	(formerly 5289)
Pink Garnet	E718
Dark Red Ruby	E815	(formerly 5270)
Red Ruby	E321
Green Emerald	E699	(formerly 5269)
Light Green Emerald	E703
Aquamarine Blue	E3849
Blue Topaz	E334
Light Blue Sapphire	E3843	(formerly 5290)
Blue Sapphire	E825
Gemstones	E130
Golden Dawn	E135

ANTIQUES

Dark Oak	E898
Rosewood	E3685
Ebony	E310
Golden Oak	E436
Pewter	E415

PEARLESCENT

White	E5200	(formerly 5272)
Lilac	E311
Cream	E746
Lime	E966
Soft Pink	E818
Baby Blue	E747
Sky Blue	E3747
Soft Peach	E967

FLUORESCENT

Neon Green	E990
Neon Yellow	E980

GLOW IN THE DARK

Glow in the Dark

E940

The original listing of DMC metallic floss colors, soon to be obsolete, follows:

5269 Green	5270 Red
5272 Iridescent White	5279 Copper
5282 Gold	5283 Silver
5284 Dark Gold	5287 Dark Silver
5288 Pink	5289 Purple
5290 Electric Blue	5291 Royal Blue DISCONTINUED BY DMC AND OUT OF STOCK

DMC METALLIC PEARL is a metallic thread equivalent to size 5 pearl cotton. Like the DMC metallic floss listed above, it comes in two colors, gold (5282) and silver (5283).

DMC "Z" METALLICS are relatively fine-weight metallic threads made of three fine plies loosely twisted together (normally all three plies are used at once). Please note that DMC has decided to discontinue all but three colors of this type of thread. We still have inventory of some colors but will not be able to replace it when it is gone. Colors are (French names are listed in parentheses as certain patterns refer to them by these names):

DMC "FLAT" GOLD AND SILVER were shiny, smooth single ply metallic threads. These threads are also known by their French names: fil or mi-fin (gold, Article 280) and fil argent mi-fin (silver, Article 281). In 2002 DMC announced that they were discontinuing the sale of these threads in the U.S. We have sold out of these and can no longer get them; sorry.

Snow is a metallic thread from the Caron Collection. It previously came in only a white "snow" color but now comes in additional colors:

N-00 White	N-01 Gold - DISCONTINUED, replaced by N-18
N-02 Black Ice	N-03 Sky Blue
N-04 Night Sky (discontinued, no longer available)	N-05 Fiesta Red (new version)
N-06 Cedar Green	N-07 Copper
N-08 White Gold	N-09 Silver
N-10 Royal B lue	N-11 Lime Green
N-12 Canary Yellow	N-13 Fire Orange
N-14 Mango	N-15 Mauve
N-16 Gunmetal	N-17 Carbon (blue-black)
N-18 Gold Dust

Snow is $3.50 per 10 yard skein.

ACCENTUATE is a "new" metallic thread that is really not new. It is a metallic thread known as "Supertwist" made by Madeira but now available in a packaging superior to those previously available. This thread is also sold by other people under the name Rainbow Blending Filament as well as Supertwist. Formerly available in only 30 colors, the color range has been expanded tremendously to include some very unique and beautiful colors (also 5 old colors have been discontinued - discontinued color numbers are 011, 276, 280, 380 and 500). Most people find that this fine metallic thread is somewhat stronger than other blending filaments. Currently a color card is not available, and differences between some colors are so subtle, it would be hard to show or describe the colors. Madeira Supertwist is actually manufactured in two sizes, size 20 and 30. Our Accentuate/Supertwist is size 30 Supertwist which comes in all colors (size 20 comes in a very limited color range and is not carried by us).

To convert from "Supertwist" to Accentuate color numbers is simple as the numbering system is the same. To convert from "Glissen Gloss Rainbow Blending Filament" color numbers to Accentuate color numbers, click here (please note that more colors of Supertwist/Glissengloss Rainbow Filament are available in Accentuate than shown on this conversion and the conversion will be updated shortly).

Currently available colors of Accentuate are:

010	012	013	014	015
016	016	017	018	019
020	021	022	023	024
025	026	027	028	029
030	031	032	033	034
035	036	037	038	039
040	041	042	043	044
051	052	057	058	065
066	067	070 - DISCONTINUED COLOR NO LONGER AVAILABLE	071	111
113	114	115	120	123
126	138	140	155	225
226	227	228	251	252
253	254	255	256	257
258	260	261	262	263
264	272	273	274	275
277	278	279	282	283
284	285	287	288	289
290	291	300	301	302
303	304	305	306	307
308	309	310	311	312
313	315	316	317	318
319	320	322	323	326
327	329	330	332	333
337	339	340	341	345
347	349	351	352	353
354	355	356	357	358
360	362	371	375	376
384	385	386	387	389
392	393	396

Accentuate is $1.70 per 50 meter (55 yard) spool.

BIJOUX METALLIC is an old thread under a new name. You may also know this thread as "Lacquered Jewels". Bijoux Metallic is a fine weight metallic thread of cord-type construction. All the colors are deep, rich jewel tones with a black cast to them. With the new packaging on spools rather than wrapped on cards or made into skeins, the thread is much more user-friendly. All color numbers are the same as those for "Lacquered Jewels" so order by the same color number as you would use for Lacquered Jewels.

Colors for Bijoux Metallic are:

411	Cape Amethyst	412	Amethyst
413	Pink Opal	414	Rubasse
415	Ruby	424	Renaissance Gold
425	Pyrite	426	Smoky Topaz
427	Copper Leaf	428	Amber
429	Jasper	437	Sapphire
438	Lapis	439	Garnet
442	Antique Silver	452	Green Agate
457	Malachite	460	Water Sapphire
465	Turquoise	466	Blue Zircon
467	Blue Tanzanite	470	Black Pearl
480	Regalia	481	Crown Jewels
482	Tiger Eye	483	Tourmaline
484	Obsidian	490	Jade

Bijoux Metallic is $2.50 per 50 meter spool.

TORSADES are highly twisted cords made of synthetic Japanese gold and silver, which are surface-couched onto fabrics. They come in 5 sizes (please note that the size designations have changed - the old size appears in parentheses). PLEASE SPECIFY GOLD OR SILVER when ordering. Also, the supply of these torsades is presently limited and we are currently unable to get any silver 1mm torsade or gold 2mm torsade.

REAL METAL THREADS come in various constructions, finishes and sizes. We offer real metal threads from two sources, one French and the other English. For additional on real metal embroidery threads and metal thread embroidery, we recommend three books currently in print and for sale by us: Metal Thread Embroidery, New Ideas in Goldwork, and Royal School of Needlework Embroidery Techniques.

Real metal threads are commonly referred to by both English and French names - equivalent names are listed here:

• Bullion Matte (French) = Rough Purl (English)
• Bullion Brilliant (French) = Smooth Purl (English)
• Frieze (French) = Check Purl (English)
• Jaceron (French) = Pearl Purl (English)
• Façonnée (French) = Crimped Purl (English)
• Soutache (French) = Russia Braid (English)
• Paillette (French) = Spangle (English)

The French and English metal threads do not all come in equivalent or corresponding sizes, but some size equivalents are listed here:

French Size	English Size
Jaceron size 5	Pearl purl super
Jaceron size 7	Pearl purl 1
Jaceron size 8	Pearl purl 2
Jaceron size 10	Pearl purl 3

The following threads are all made of a copper core covered with silver; the gold threads then have a final covering of real gold. A tarnish-resistant coating is applied, so that these threads will stay bright for 10-20 years, depending on pollution and handling. Please note that these metal threads appear to be in the process of being discontinued so are only available while supplies last.

Access Commodities Real Metal Threads are in some instances similar to the above threads, but are listed by English, rather than French names.

These threads come in quite a rather large variety. The vast majority of these are attached to fabric by couching - i.e. laid on the top surface of the fabric and held in place with stitches (in some cases these couching stitches are invisible while in other cases they show and are intended to become part of the effect). Some of these couched threads never penetrate the surface of the fabric at all, while others penetrate the fabric only at the very beginning and very end of the thread, where the ends are "plunged" to the reverse of the fabric.

First are the "purls" which further come in three different varieties. Smooth purls are hollow or tubular threads with a shiny appearance. They are very fluid and remind one a bit of a worm - albeit a very luxurious worm! Rough purl looks the same except the finish is less shiny - it still has some sheen from the metal but to a lesser degree than the smooth purl. A check purl is a very glittery, almost faceted purl. Most purls are fragile and need to be handled carefully, but check purls are particularly fragile and therefore are sold only in one-half yard lengths. Pearl purl (isn't that a funny coincidence of the English language that these two words are homophones?) is a little like a very fine, very elegant "Slinky" toy - it is much stiffer, but the little wires that coil around and around to make up this thread are very distinct and more open than with the other purls.

These real metal threads come in gold, with a few of them also available in silver, copper, and even colors. The threads made with gold will be referred to as "gilt". The following thread prices are for gold only. Silver, copper and colored purls are listed after the gold threads.

Rococo is a wavy thread also known as crinkle. It is available in gold only, and in two sizes.

Grecian Twist is a gorgeous thread. It has a shiny thread and a matte thread twisted together - the contrast between the two textures is quite stunning.

Gilt Fine Grecian Twist	1 yard	$8.40
Gilt Medium Grecian Twist	1 yard	$9.50

Milliary is a unique metal thread. It is made of a "main" central thread with a secondary, fine thread somewhat loosely coiled around it. Available in gold and copper (copper is listed below).

Gold Milliary

1 yard

$9.50

GILT BROAD PLATE is a very shiny thin metal strip with gold content. It is rather stiff.
Price per yard: $2.50

GILT WHIPPED PLATE is made of gilt broad plate with a secondary very fine wire "whipped" around it - this has something of the appearance of crimping.
Price per yard: $2.50

Silver, copper and colored threads are also available in certain sizes and thread types. Please note that threads made with real silver will naturally tarnish over time. Very old examples of embroidery with silver thread will show that the silver blackens.

SILVER THREADS

Silver Bullion #1	1/2 yard	$2.80
Silver Bullion #2	1/2 yard	$3.20
Silver Bright Check #1	1/2 yard	$4.50
Silver Pearl Purl Super	1 yard	$6.20
Silver Pearl Purl #1	1 yard	$8.00
Silver Pearl Purl #2	1 yard	$10.60
Silver Fine Grecian Twist	1 yard	Discontinued
Silver Milliary	1 yard	Discontinued

Copper and colored metal threads:

SIZE 4 SMOOTH PASSING THREAD is available in gold-plated (gilt) and silver-plated. These real metal threads are made over a silk core and are similar to threads used for Elizabethan embroidery.

Price per 18 meter (19 1/2 yard) spool of Gilt Smooth Passing: $29.00
Price per 18 meter (19 1/2 yard) spool of Silver Smooth Passing: $20.00

GILT SYLKE TWIST is a thread made of silk twisted with very fine real gold thread.

RUSSIA BRAID (also known as soutache) is a synthetic metallic braid (quite substantial) approximately 1/16" wide.

REAL SILVER OR GOLD-FILLED SPANGLES are a little like very classy sequins. Also known as paillettes, these flat round spangles with a hole in the center come in several sizes, although this type of spangle/paillette is disappearing (see our next entry for another brand that is still available):

Spangles are sold by weight, so the smaller the spangle the more spangles there will be in the one-gram package.
PLEASE REMEMBER TO SPECIFY GOLD OR SILVER AND SIZE NEEDED.

ACCESS COMMODITIES GOLD SPANGLES are similar to the above spangles, but come in gold only. They come in five sizes:

Size F-3 (GTSF3), .25 gram, $3.80

Size F-4 (GTSF4), .25 gram, $4.00

Size A (GTSP1), .5 gram, $4.50

Size C (GTSP3), .5 gram, $4.50

Size 6 (GTSP6), 1 gram, $4.50

KID LEATHER is frequently used in conjunction with metal thread embroidery (most often it is appliqued to fabric or canvas). The color range is more limited than in the past. Currently available colors are: Gold, Matte Gold, Vatican Gold, Silver, Matte Silver, Pewter, Bronze, Copperhead and Black.

e-mail: custservice@threadneedlestreet.com

Copyright 1998-2010. All prices are in U.S. dollars and are subject to change without notice.