Rayon thread

[Janet M. Davies]

I love stitching with Rayon thread for Needlework once I learnt this trick.

Cut thread to the length you want it and amount of threads for the needle. Then run that thread/s through a damp (not wet) cloth. Then thread the needle and stitch. The dampness takes the bounce out of the thread.

Don’t wet the thread as it will stretch while stitching; just dampen it. Do not be tempted to dunk in water and leave to dry.

[Sibille Kreideweiss]

As I posted before, this is the composition of Rajmahal: 65% viscose rayon, 35% silk floss

It is not rayon only, it also feels different. It has to be called art silk, because the silk content is too low for classifying it as silk. Certainly wouldn't pass this test.

I can't stand Anchor Marlitt, gave the stuff away once I tried it, and certainly don't use DMC.

What really annoys me with rayon threads is the time you need to stitch. You can't just move on, so when I do Rajmahal designs they take such a long time to stitch. The results are stunning, but the process is slow.

 

Janet M. Davies said:

I just wrote out a couple of paragraphs and then lost it.

 

Sharon Rajmahal is just rayon thread. That is why they use the word ‘art’ silk. I have used it in Schwalm pieces with good results. Anchor Marlitt is my fav as I like the colour range for shading. And it lasts well in the needle.

 

I like how rayon thread beings life among wool and flat threads. Maybe I am just a magpie and enjoy shiny things.

[sharonb]

Yes but I would like to hear from Rajmahal themselves. First I think they should answer inquiries like this and if art silk is a marketing term they should be honest about it. If I have it wrong and they do mix their fibers I would genuinely like to know and be corrected about it.

[Carol-Anne]

This has been a really interesting topic.  I have used Rajmahal art silks but it was about 12 years ago and my memory of them is a little vague.  I did know about the dampening trick, do Rajmahal suggest this, I can't think how I would have known about it otherwise.  I've also used another rayon (DMC, I think) and didn't care much for it.  I also like to half hitch the length of rayon into my needle to prevent it keep sliding out of the eye - the most annoying thing about rayon, in my opion.

 

Since I did the Rajmahal embroideries I have been learning Japanese embroidery with 100% flat silk and I would say that silk is far more managable than rayon.

 

I like the vibrant colours of Rajmahal but I now prefer the shades produced by natural dyes in the range of silks I use.

 

I have some of the Rajmahal threads left and would use them if the colours were right for something I was stitching but I don't think I would buy any more (but never say never).

 

[Sibille Kreideweiss]

I know what you mean, Carol-Anne. I do design with Rajmahal, but far less than with other threads. I prefer the real silks over all, and there is so much to choose from.

I've to say, Rajmahal has improved its quality and dying process a lot, since they first started. Back then many of the colours were uneven, there were knots in the threads, and in general is was terrible. This doesn't happen anymore, except for the occasional knot when yarn breakage has occured, this happens to all manufacturers. The colours are even.

Rayon never was and never will be my thing, I simply can't stand it.

Carol-Anne said:

This has been a really interesting topic.  I have used Rajmahal art silks but it was about 12 years ago and my memory of them is a little vague.  I did know about the dampening trick, do Rajmahal suggest this, I can't think how I would have known about it otherwise.  I've also used another rayon (DMC, I think) and didn't care much for it.  I also like to half hitch the length of rayon into my needle to prevent it keep sliding out of the eye - the most annoying thing about rayon, in my opion.

 

Since I did the Rajmahal embroideries I have been learning Japanese embroidery with 100% flat silk and I would say that silk is far more managable than rayon.

 

I like the vibrant colours of Rajmahal but I now prefer the shades produced by natural dyes in the range of silks I use.

 

I have some of the Rajmahal threads left and would use them if the colours were right for something I was stitching but I don't think I would buy any more (but never say never).

 

[sharonb]

Hi All I sent a second email to Rajmahal and said this discussion was taking place in the forum. The answer turns out to be even more interesting

 

to quote the email from Rajmahal themselves 

"It's a viscose blended silk, from eucalyptus fibre.
Stranded, 6 strands each of 8 metros per skein.
Hope that helps."

Viscose is rayon see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Viscose

So its a rayon (viscose)  but of eucalyptus! Why they dont market that it is from Eucalyptus trees I dont know but there you are...

It did get me thinking however as since stitchers can feel the difference in the products it occurred to me that obviously what the viscose comes from counts. In this case  since eucalyptus trees have a high percentage of naturally occurring oil I have  hunch that this makes for a different feel in the finished thread. This is just a theory on my part and I am not sure if Rajmahal want me to ask that question.

Anyway its been an interesting topic and handy to know that - art silk is a marketing term and actually means- means artificial silk  and is rayon. 

[Janet M. Davies]

Thanks Sharon for all the info.

[Susan Ovard]

I looked up rayon and this is what I found:

"Strictly speaking, it is not an artificial fiber, because it is derived from naturally occurring cellulose. It is not, however, a natural fabric, because cellulose requires extensive processing to become rayon. Rayon is usually classified as a manufactured fiber and considered to be “regenerated cellulose”.

Because is is made from cellulose (basicaly plant life) it is not what I would call "artificial" like polyester, made from petroleum.

Does that muddy up the waters?

 

Opps!  I didn't read all the comments. It seems others have made this point. Sorry.

 

[Susan Ovard]

I hope you reallize that banboo batting is actually rayon made from bamboo.  It is so highly  processed I can't see how anyone can call it "green". 

copied from quiltingboard.com:  "Bamboo actually is a highly processed fiber. In fact the Federal Trade Commission now states bamboo should be called "rayon made from bamboo" since it is essentially the same process as rayon made from cotton or other cellulose plant scrap. Thus, bamboo batting is actually rayon batting made from bamboo - thus the softness."

Here is a link
http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2010/02/bamboo.shtm

[Paula Guisinger]

This is a great discussion! Susan I bet your are correct - that bamboo could be called rayon because it is made from a cellulose plant material. Interesting... I have never used bamboo to embroidery with but have knit socks with it. It was wonderfully soft and great to knit but the socks did not hold their shape well and quickly wore out, and yet rayon thread holds up for years. Different plants must make the difference. So if the socks last half the time that is not very ecologically smart.

 

I also think about how green the fibers we use really are. I love, love, love wool. I use it more often than any other fiber. I was at Brown Sheep Wool Company, in Mitchel Nebraska USA, a year or so ago and complimented them for being one of the last few companies in the USA that buys locally grown wool and processes it to the end stage. The woman smiled and said yes, they do buy locally produced wool, spin and dye it, but they ship it to the southern states to be washed and carded because of the huge amounts of water needed to get the wool to the roving stage. For those of you not living in the states the western part of Nebraska is dry and many people use their land to graze sheep . When you think that wool is grown in one place - shipped to another place to be processed - shipped back to be spun and died - then shipped to the seller - that is not very green. I'll bet we would be surprised to know the rout our threads, flosses and yarn travels before it finds our needle!