Wax question, was thimbles and needles

Following Sharon's questions about thimbles and needles, I have a
question of my own: Do you wax your thread? What kind of wax? I was
recently told I was "wax-obsessed" because I tend to make a lot of my
own beeswax cakes and they are EVERYWHERE. (Hey, you never know where
you'll be when you want to do some handstitching.) I buy the 1lb blocks
of beeswax and melt small amounts. Usually I pour it into the plastic
boxes that the glass head pins come in. When it cools, it releases from
the sides so I can take it out to use it, and put it back in the
container when I'm done. I've used the small round plastic discs that
hold the whitish beeswax, but didn't like the feeling of it while
sewing.
Regarding the thimble thread: I use a nice sterling thimble because it
came in my size. Also have leather, tin and assorted others, but the
sterling makes a "rich" stitch. lol
Handstitching needles: the tiny one, about 1.5". (Needle sizes are not
my thing.)

In article .com,
"Dave Daniels" wrote:

Following Sharon's questions about thimbles and needles, I have a
question of my own: Do you wax your thread? What kind of wax? I was
recently told I was "wax-obsessed" because I tend to make a lot of my
own beeswax cakes and they are EVERYWHERE. (Hey, you never know where
you'll be when you want to do some handstitching.) I buy the 1lb blocks
of beeswax and melt small amounts. Usually I pour it into the plastic
boxes that the glass head pins come in. When it cools, it releases from
the sides so I can take it out to use it, and put it back in the
container when I'm done. I've used the small round plastic discs that
hold the whitish beeswax, but didn't like the feeling of it while
sewing.
Regarding the thimble thread: I use a nice sterling thimble because it
came in my size. Also have leather, tin and assorted others, but the
sterling makes a "rich" stitch. lol
Handstitching needles: the tiny one, about 1.5". (Needle sizes are not
my thing.)


I don't wax my thread, but that's probably more because I was never told
it was necessary than because I have a good reason not to. G What's
the advantage of waxing it?
--
Sandy in Henderson, near Las Vegas
my ISP is earthlink.net -- put sfoster1(at) in front
http://home.earthlink.net/~sfoster1

AKA Dame Sandy, Minister of Education

I don't do much hand-quilting or hand-sewing, but I do like to wax my
thread. I tried a thread conditioner, but after I bought it, I found it had
glitter in it! Not enough to get on the thread, but since I am staunchly
opposed to glitter (as one of the more dangerous of common arts and crafts
supplies used by children [I'm against latex balloons, too. I know.
Party-pooper!]), I got rid of it. I have used the commonly available white
wax like you describe, but I'm not very happy with it. Perhaps I'll see if I
can't find some beeswax to use, instead.

--
Wendy
http://griffinsflight.com/Quilting/quilt1.htm
de-fang email address to reply




"Dave Daniels" wrote in message
oups.com...
Following Sharon's questions about thimbles and needles, I have a
question of my own: Do you wax your thread? What kind of wax? I was
recently told I was "wax-obsessed" because I tend to make a lot of my
own beeswax cakes and they are EVERYWHERE. (Hey, you never know where
you'll be when you want to do some handstitching.) I buy the 1lb blocks
of beeswax and melt small amounts. Usually I pour it into the plastic
boxes that the glass head pins come in. When it cools, it releases from
the sides so I can take it out to use it, and put it back in the
container when I'm done. I've used the small round plastic discs that
hold the whitish beeswax, but didn't like the feeling of it while
sewing.
Regarding the thimble thread: I use a nice sterling thimble because it
came in my size. Also have leather, tin and assorted others, but the
sterling makes a "rich" stitch. lol
Handstitching needles: the tiny one, about 1.5". (Needle sizes are not
my thing.)

In article .com,
"Dave Daniels" wrote:

Following Sharon's questions about thimbles and needles, I have a
question of my own: Do you wax your thread? What kind of wax? I was
recently told I was "wax-obsessed" because I tend to make a lot of my
own beeswax cakes and they are EVERYWHERE. (Hey, you never know where
you'll be when you want to do some handstitching.) I buy the 1lb blocks
of beeswax and melt small amounts. Usually I pour it into the plastic
boxes that the glass head pins come in. When it cools, it releases from
the sides so I can take it out to use it, and put it back in the
container when I'm done. I've used the small round plastic discs that
hold the whitish beeswax, but didn't like the feeling of it while
sewing.
Regarding the thimble thread: I use a nice sterling thimble because it
came in my size. Also have leather, tin and assorted others, but the
sterling makes a "rich" stitch. lol
Handstitching needles: the tiny one, about 1.5". (Needle sizes are not
my thing.)

I wax my thread when I am using regular thread (like the silk finish
cotton) instead of hand quilting thread. I find that the glaze on hand
quilting thread makes waxing unnecessary.

I bought a little brick of beeswax last time I was in Hawaii - nice
memory when I use it. I also have used Thread Heaven which is an
archival silicon (I think) coating for thread. I like that too.

marcella

A beeswax candle can be used in a pinch if you can't find the beeswax.
--
Bonnie
NJ

Perhaps I'll see if I can't find some beeswax to use, instead.

--
Wendy
http://griffinsflight.com/Quilting/quilt1.htm
de-fang email address to reply




"Dave Daniels" wrote in message
oups.com...
Following Sharon's questions about thimbles and needles, I have a
question of my own: Do you wax your thread? What kind of wax? I was
recently told I was "wax-obsessed" because I tend to make a lot of my
own beeswax cakes and they are EVERYWHERE. (Hey, you never know where
you'll be when you want to do some handstitching.) I buy the 1lb blocks
of beeswax and melt small amounts. Usually I pour it into the plastic
boxes that the glass head pins come in. When it cools, it releases from
the sides so I can take it out to use it, and put it back in the
container when I'm done. I've used the small round plastic discs that
hold the whitish beeswax, but didn't like the feeling of it while
sewing.
Regarding the thimble thread: I use a nice sterling thimble because it
came in my size. Also have leather, tin and assorted others, but the
sterling makes a "rich" stitch. lol
Handstitching needles: the tiny one, about 1.5". (Needle sizes are not
my thing.)

That may be easier to find in the stores, thanks! Guess what else I don't
generally keep in my house? ;-P

--
Wendy
http://griffinsflight.com/Quilting/quilt1.htm
"I could *so* save the world if somebody handed me superpowers." - Dawn
Summers
De-Fang email address to reply

"Bonnie NJ" wrote in message
nk.net...

A beeswax candle can be used in a pinch if you can't find the beeswax.
--
Bonnie
NJ

Perhaps I'll see if I can't find some beeswax to use, instead.

--
Wendy
http://griffinsflight.com/Quilting/quilt1.htm
de-fang email address to reply




"Dave Daniels" wrote in message
oups.com...
Following Sharon's questions about thimbles and needles, I have a
question of my own: Do you wax your thread? What kind of wax? I was
recently told I was "wax-obsessed" because I tend to make a lot of my
own beeswax cakes and they are EVERYWHERE. (Hey, you never know where
you'll be when you want to do some handstitching.) I buy the 1lb blocks
of beeswax and melt small amounts. Usually I pour it into the plastic
boxes that the glass head pins come in. When it cools, it releases from
the sides so I can take it out to use it, and put it back in the
container when I'm done. I've used the small round plastic discs that
hold the whitish beeswax, but didn't like the feeling of it while
sewing.
Regarding the thimble thread: I use a nice sterling thimble because it
came in my size. Also have leather, tin and assorted others, but the
sterling makes a "rich" stitch. lol
Handstitching needles: the tiny one, about 1.5". (Needle sizes are not
my thing.)

I use my Grampys wax when hand sewing!He was a tailor who died 56 years
ago!! It has lots of deep grooves but is still good for the purpose!
--
Estelle UK
http://uk.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/gal.../ph//my_photos

"Marcella Peek" wrote in message
...
In article .com,
"Dave Daniels" wrote:

Following Sharon's questions about thimbles and needles, I have a
question of my own: Do you wax your thread? What kind of wax? I was
recently told I was "wax-obsessed" because I tend to make a lot of my
own beeswax cakes and they are EVERYWHERE. (Hey, you never know where
you'll be when you want to do some handstitching.) I buy the 1lb blocks
of beeswax and melt small amounts. Usually I pour it into the plastic
boxes that the glass head pins come in. When it cools, it releases from
the sides so I can take it out to use it, and put it back in the
container when I'm done. I've used the small round plastic discs that
hold the whitish beeswax, but didn't like the feeling of it while
sewing.
Regarding the thimble thread: I use a nice sterling thimble because it
came in my size. Also have leather, tin and assorted others, but the
sterling makes a "rich" stitch. lol
Handstitching needles: the tiny one, about 1.5". (Needle sizes are not
my thing.)

I wax my thread when I am using regular thread (like the silk finish
cotton) instead of hand quilting thread. I find that the glaze on hand
quilting thread makes waxing unnecessary.

I bought a little brick of beeswax last time I was in Hawaii - nice
memory when I use it. I also have used Thread Heaven which is an
archival silicon (I think) coating for thread. I like that too.

marcella

I wax very long threads since it helps them stay untangled. Bees wax is
great, smells good, too. I happen to have 2# cakes of bees wax for coating
pine needle baskets but I have yet to try making some of my own wax cakes
for sewing. I guess next time I heat up a batch, I'll give it a whirl.

Giselle (my big cakes sure smell nicer than the stuff they sell at Joann's)

Yes, I wax! I use the beeswax in the round discs, but found that I like the
yellower wax much better than the whiter one.

--Heidi

http://community.webshots.com/user/rabbit2b


"Dave Daniels" wrote in message
oups.com...
Following Sharon's questions about thimbles and needles, I have a
question of my own: Do you wax your thread? What kind of wax? I was
recently told I was "wax-obsessed" because I tend to make a lot of my
own beeswax cakes and they are EVERYWHERE. (Hey, you never know where
you'll be when you want to do some handstitching.) I buy the 1lb blocks
of beeswax and melt small amounts. Usually I pour it into the plastic
boxes that the glass head pins come in. When it cools, it releases from
the sides so I can take it out to use it, and put it back in the
container when I'm done. I've used the small round plastic discs that
hold the whitish beeswax, but didn't like the feeling of it while
sewing.
Regarding the thimble thread: I use a nice sterling thimble because it
came in my size. Also have leather, tin and assorted others, but the
sterling makes a "rich" stitch. lol
Handstitching needles: the tiny one, about 1.5". (Needle sizes are not
my thing.)

Hi Dave,

I got my bees wax at the Topsfield Fair. The Beekeepers have a whole
section in the building. Also have some of the commercial stuff in
the little blue box, but I can't see that it is any better than the
natural product.
I am using a cheap thimbl because I keep having to get a bigger one.
My finger tips have decided to branch out in odd directions and swell.
Ah the problems of age!

Anna Belle in Palm Bay


On 28 Feb 2005 10:22:24 -0800, "Dave Daniels"
wrote:

Following Sharon's questions about thimbles and needles, I have a
question of my own: Do you wax your thread? What kind of wax? I was
recently told I was "wax-obsessed" because I tend to make a lot of my
own beeswax cakes and they are EVERYWHERE. (Hey, you never know where
you'll be when you want to do some handstitching.) I buy the 1lb blocks
of beeswax and melt small amounts. Usually I pour it into the plastic
boxes that the glass head pins come in. When it cools, it releases from
the sides so I can take it out to use it, and put it back in the
container when I'm done. I've used the small round plastic discs that
hold the whitish beeswax, but didn't like the feeling of it while
sewing.
Regarding the thimble thread: I use a nice sterling thimble because it
came in my size. Also have leather, tin and assorted others, but the
sterling makes a "rich" stitch. lol
Handstitching needles: the tiny one, about 1.5". (Needle sizes are not
my thing.)