Description:

Are you a seed bead lover, but you hate your thread? Well, I have discovered a FABULOUS new thread. It has a super hard coating on it that doesn't wear off, even when you use two yards at a time. Because it is already coated, you don't need to wax it or coat it. You can use Thread Heaven on it if you want to make it more slippery, but I have not found this necessary. It doesn't tangle easily, and it is highly resistant to fraying. It comes in two sizes, size B and size D. You can buy it in 50 meter or 300 meter spools, and there are 12 colors available. Carol Perrenoud worked with the Japanese supplier and suggested the colors, based on best selling colors in Nymo. It will not take color from a permanent marker, so be sure you get the color you need.

What is it?

The thread is called KO thread, and it was developed in Japan. It has been out on the market over a year now, and once I used it, I gave away all my other threads. I have used KO thread with all sizes of bead needles and seed beads, on small projects and on large ones too. It holds up extremely well, and is super easy to work with.

Where do I get it?

I found it at my local bead store, but it is also easy to find online, just type in "KO thread".

Thread vs Fireline?

I love thread, but some of my beading friends love Fireline. Here's how I decide which one to use. I love the softer feel of the finished work, more like a piece of fabric, that I get when I use thread. Thread is perfect for "caterpillar bracelets", with a peyote stitch base and lots of fringe on top. I want the bracelet to feel like a piece of fabric. But sometimes the piece I am working on needs lots of structure, has many crystals in it, and lots of tension on the "thread". I have found that 6# Fireline gives the best result for things like a rivoli bead in a stitched cabachon setting in the style of work that Laura McCabe does.

How do I pick the right color?

Someone once gave me great advice. Decide if you want your thread to blend in, or be an accent color, or be the shading between the beads. If your thread is going to show a lot, say on the edges of your peyote stitch project, you need to decide if it is going to match your main color beads so that it becomes "invisible", or if will be an accent color in it's own right. I love blue and gold, so I often pick blue beads and gold thread to add richness to the design. Or, do you want the thread to blend into the background? Light gray will blend into the background of light color beads, and act like a shadow on the ground. It adds depth and perspective to your design.