Thickness of threads

[Mabel Figworthy]

While browsing online stitching shops I get tempted by the various sparkly (and other) threads, but find it difficult to know how they compare in thickness with stranded cotton.

For example, I would use 1 strand on 22ct, 1 or 2 on 18ct, 2 on 16ct, 2 or 3 on 14ct -- I know what effect that'll have. But when I see "Madeira Metallics no. 10/20/25/40", or Rainbow Gallery Treasure Braid and Petite Treasure Braid, or even Perle threads or Coton a Broder, I have no idea where to start.

Does anyone know of a chart or table that'll show "1 strand of Brand X's metallics no.2 is equal to 3 strands DMC/Anchor floss" etc.?

[coffee_freak]

i can do some googlin'

[Rose]

Sorry Mabel I have never come across this type of information. It would be very usfull I am sure but I don't think any one has every made the comparisons

[Angel]

RG petite treasure bread is almost half the width of DMC stranded cotton. But having said that, 1 strand does seem to have the same effect as 1 strand of DMC Maybe it's because of the vibrancy of the colour?

[Mabel Figworthy]

I suppose the sparkle helps -- thanks Angel, that's very helpful!

[lacemaker2004]

Tomorrow I promise to go digging through my stash and lace thread book that should give us some info.

[Angel]

^_^ I can't help you on the others as I've never used them.

If you wanna see the difference I have a project I can photocopy where I used 1 strand of RG but two for everything else.

[Mabel Figworthy]

Yes please!

[Angel]

Ok here you go
The gold on the chair and his skirt are two strands of DMC The colours are two of DMC but the rest of the gold is 1 of RG petite treasure braid. You can see the difference if you look close up at it but if you used two of RG it wouldn't show as different.

this is the full picture

[Mabel Figworthy]

Thanks Angel, that's very clear! What a nice design, too -- when did you do this, and was it for a special occasion?

[Angel]

Umm I started it on the 3rd of March It's still a WIP as I kinda got bored. All I have left to do is the border and backstitch. It wasn't for any special occasion or anything but once I'd finished my lickle ted I just wanted another piece to do and this one looked the easiest and still being new and after having so much trouble with lickle ted I decided that easy was the way to go ^_^

I have photographs of it which arent very clear so I scanned it. My scanner is wonderful in it's quality. I hope the picture helps ^_^