Which types of thread should I condition?

Hello, I hope someone can advise. I've been beadweaving for a few months now. At first I only used Nymo (the only thread I had) and used 'Thread Heaven' to condition it. Since then I have found 'Wildfire' which I really like. I suddenly realised today that I have never conditioned it - it didn't even occur to me. Should I condition this thread? Which threads should I condition? And how do you judge the weight - I've been using 6lb test 'Wildfire'. It seems to work for most things but I would be mortified if my 'creations' fell apart! To be honest, I don't really know how to choose a thread for a project. Are there any general rules? Thanks Christina

I'm certainly not an expert on thread but I condition any thread I use even when it says you dont need to.  I just find it works better when I do. 

I like fireline when I use crystals or make anklets .. things that I need to be a bit extra strong and I use toho one g thread for most stuff because it is less expensive and comes in nice colors.  I like the drape of the one g for necklaces better than fireline but there is some stretch to consider there too.  Its really mostly a matter of preference I think.  Crystals are hard on thread so I try to use fire line there to be sure the thread isnt cut.  I also tend to reinforce my work a lot too.

Hi Christina,

Michelle gave you great advice...I also use a lot of Fireline and One G thread. I have stopped using Nymo altogether. It just frays too much no matter how short a piece I use and it continues to stretch over time...since there are so many newer threads on the market like One G, Sono and KO, I just don't use Nymo anymore.

Conditioning your thread is really more of a personal choice. If you use Nymo I would really suggest always conditioning, but that's just me...there are a lot of people that never condition any thread, even Nymo.

Depending on what I am making and how tight I need the tension to be or how structural I need the piece to be I will use different thread and different conditioners. I like to use MicroCrystalline wax if I ever condition my Fireline. It is a lot less messy than Beeswax for Fireline. (Wildfire is Beadalon's version of Fireline, it's a GSP thread) So I would use the Microcrystalline wax for that if you choose to condition.

I find that conditioners offer different uses:

MicroCrystalline wax is great for GSP type threads like Fireline/Wildfire and. It helps keep tighter tension and is good for structural work, and it keeps tangling to a minimum. It would also work well on regular threads to protect the thread against shredding or fraying. MicroCrystalline Wax is a synthetic product.

Thread Heaven is good to keep threads like One G, Sono, KO and Nymo and other nylon threads from tangling. It creates a static charge that makes the thread strands repel each other so they don't tangle as easily. It also helps keep the threads from fraying by adding the protective coating. This is another synthetic product.

Beeswax helps thread by adding a protective layer so it can prevent fraying and shredding. But it can be messy and leave a sticky coating on your beads. This can be cleaned off easily with a slightly damp cloth.

But really you just need to pay attention to how much beeswax you leave on the thread. I like to add the beeswax, then run it through a warm curling iron or over a light bulb to set the wax into the thread and then run it through my fingers to remove any excess wax. This process also helps to stretch and straighten the thread. Beeswax is a natural product.

So, as you can see there are many uses for all of these conditioners. I use all of them in different situtations and some people use none of them. It really is a personal choice and after a while you will figure out what works best ofr you in every situation!

I agree with the ladies above! If you would like to condition, please do so, if not then don't!

Honestly, I don't condition my threads very often, and when I do, it has nothing to do with thread (I don't used Nymo either, except if Im working out a practice/test piece that I intend to pull apart at some point).

For example, right now I'm working on a chevron chain bracelet which is a fairly floppy stitch, the wax helps with the tension and keeping the recently added stitches in place. LOL. Sometimes sticky is good. LOL.

I will say that I took a class once from Laura McCabe, she did recommend that you should wax Fireline/Wildfire with a MicroCrystalline wax because over time the Fireline does break down and your piece could come apart in the future. She, if I'm not mistaken has an impressive background in textile preservation, and costume restoration and preservation. I tend to beleive she's a good resource on this topic.

 

 

Thanks to everyone for their help.

I'm going to search out some MicroCrystalline wax! It really does seem in beadwork that there is no right or wrong way - just personal preference coming with experience but it's nice to have the experience of others in this forum.

 

Thanks again

Christina