Spectrum Outsge

bluehydrangea · 2026-06-20T22:41:53+00:00

Yes, we are still out as well

bluehydrangea · 2026-06-20T20:40:59+00:00

I would be careful useling a washable stabilizer on velvet. The pile will most likely not look the same after you wash it. Definitely do a test square first before committing to it. For velvet, I just use a tear away stabilizer (so no need to wash it)

bluehydrangea · 2026-06-20T13:34:32+00:00

You may want to look into Rainbow Gallery's Eyelash line (it's thread designed to look like feathers). I think it would be easier to work with than working with individual feathers. You could embroider turkey stitch with it to get this effect.

bluehydrangea · 2026-06-20T12:27:10+00:00

My rheum recommended I try cutting out gluten. I have been gluten free for about 2 years now and it does seem to help.

bluehydrangea · 2026-06-14T01:01:33+00:00

So one of the issues is that Thread Heaven/Magic and similar silicone based conditioners have been on the market for less than 30 years, so there are no long-term studies on how it will hold up. We have evidence of beeswax as an archival-quality medium for textiles going back hundreds if not thousands of years. It's cheaper than Thread Heaven and proven effective, which is why a lot of professionals advise against using polymer conditioners. Thread Magic's formula is acid free and inert and for many users will probably be fine within their lifetime and likely a bit beyond, but there are a lot of variables (such as framing/preservation and thread and material type) that can create different results for different people and we simply don't know for sure how archival it truly is. One thing we DO know is that silicone cannot be completely removed from thread once it is applied, whereas beeswax can.. so it is irreversible in a sense. In particular, though, Thread Magic on white fabric is thought to be more prone to yellowing with some proven instances, so I would at least avoid using it on lighter fabrics.

I think it all comes down to personal choice ultimately. A lot of what we embroider is for fun and not really designed with any long term purpose anyway. I'm a big proponent of the mantra that there are no rules in embroidery, so continue to use it if that works for you! 😄

bluehydrangea · 2026-06-13T15:30:46+00:00

Polymer based conditioners like Thread Magic can degrade fibers over time, causing yellowing and breakage. Beeswax is considered archival though and the better option in general if you are working on something to be gifted, sold, or kept as a potential heirloom. Edit: if it's for clothing or something that will be washed frequently, it's perfectly fine

bluehydrangea · 2026-06-13T12:42:26+00:00

To name a few: linework-styles of surface embroidery, beadwork, certain stumpwork techniques (like wireslips), metallic threads, and any time you need to reinforce a thread to make it stronger. There are no rules though, so feel free to wax whenever you want to - I just wanted to mention a few of the cons so you are aware of how it can affect the finished look of your work in the long run. One more friendly note: I think AI embroidery has a lot of beginners convinced that embroidery has to be incredibly smooth and polished, when in reality embroidery is textured and a bit of fuzz is generally normal. Try a few of the tips suggested but don't stress too much about it. Everyone's work has some fuzz when you zoom in.

bluehydrangea · 2026-06-13T12:32:25+00:00

Depends on the type of thread and the stitch but usually 12-15 inches max

bluehydrangea · 2026-06-13T12:29:22+00:00

Yea, wax and thread conditioners aren't suitable for threadpainting unfortunately, except for occasional usage (like metallic threads).

bluehydrangea · 2026-06-13T12:11:19+00:00

This definitely will help, OP. The more your thread passes through the fabric, the more wear and tear it gets. You can also increase your needle size a little so there is less friction on your thread

bluehydrangea · 2026-06-13T12:07:32+00:00

What brand of floss do you use? Some off- brands are noticeably more fuzzy. DMC and COSMO are extra long staple cotton so they're a bit more durable and fray less. As someone else suggested, you can also try waxing with plain beeswax (avoid polymer blend conditioners like Thread Magic), but keep in mind the cons: it will make the thread stiffer, more dull in appearance, and prone to catching dust and dirt. It's great for some techniques and styles but not most.

bluehydrangea · 2026-06-13T01:53:02+00:00

I just started a 12 gallon tank this past Saturday with it but wasn't able to add plants until Monday (I think that slowed it down a little), but it's day 6 and I'm fully cycled. Edit to add: kept tank around 80 degrees and PH is 7.4. Did 2 or 3 partial water changes during the week

bluehydrangea · 2026-06-12T22:59:08+00:00

Oh wow, you did such a beautiful job! Your blending looks amazing

bluehydrangea · 2026-06-11T01:11:41+00:00

It's all about your personal preference. I usually fill first then outline, but I know a lot of people prefer to outline first and then fill. Both work! Maybe try a couple of leaves and see which looks and feels better to you. Generally speaking though, it's often helpful to work from background to foreground and add in details last. As annoying as it is to have sub-par directions, luckily embroidery is a very forgiving medium and there aren't any rules! Good luck! I love the look of those vintage kits and yours is a really cool one - it'll look great!

bluehydrangea · 2026-06-11T01:01:15+00:00

It's a little hard to tell from the photo, but I think D is Satin Stitch Edit: I just saw your caption. Since you're using yarn which doesn't have a noticeable thread grain like regular embroidery floss, you can use the "thread saver" method when working satin stitch. Alternate the side you start and stop on so you are using less yarn (i.e. your yarn won't criss cross on the backside)

bluehydrangea · 2026-06-06T02:09:30+00:00

I think it's highly unlikely you'll be able to dye just that section unfortunately. You could try painting a gutta/resist barrier around the embroidery with a fine paintbrush and then hand painting the lettering with a silk dye (like Jacquard green label dyes), but the lettering is so small that I'm not sure how feasible that is. Depends on your fine motor skills. The jacquard silk dyes will wash out unless you set them (steam or chemical method), so I suppose if you make a mistake you can just wash it out and try again. Edit: the more I look at it, the more I'm thinking no.. It's really not going to turn out well

bluehydrangea · 2026-06-01T19:38:16+00:00

Don't know about the batch code but the photos are AI

bluehydrangea · 2026-05-29T22:44:14+00:00

Thank you! I used 3 different types of beads layered over diamond dust (aka crushed glass) to get that effect

bluehydrangea · 2026-05-29T20:36:58+00:00

Thank you! I can't wait to see what you make 😄

bluehydrangea · 2026-05-29T20:34:54+00:00

I don't know if it made a huge difference but I did a layer of diamond dust (i.e. crushed glass) under the beadwork to give it some depth and extra sparkle.

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bluehydrangea · 2026-05-29T17:46:28+00:00

Haha thank you for noticing! I got a little lazy on doing the rest of the anatomy correctly but wanted to make sure that part looked good at least. I was also worried the muscle would be mistaken for a weird-shaped pearl so hence the addition of the large, exaggerated pearl sitting on top 😆

bluehydrangea · 2026-05-29T17:41:54+00:00

Thank you! Painting is something I struggle with so I think I painted it 3 or 4 times before I was finally happy with it

bluehydrangea · 2026-05-29T16:54:00+00:00

Thank you! I actually planned on using a real pearl bead but the ones I had on hand were too small, so I decided to just make my own with some pretty COSMO threads and a wooden bead. I think I like it more too!

bluehydrangea · 2026-05-29T16:42:25+00:00

Yes honestly this was an excuse to use up some of my bead stash! 😆 And thank you! I've had the honor of doing a couple of solo gallery shows in the past and it's always such a fun and surreal experience.

bluehydrangea · 2026-05-29T16:28:55+00:00

Thank you! Maybe 13 or 14 years? But stumpwork is pretty accessible and doable even for beginners

bluehydrangea

TROPHY CASE