Very Fine Linen Thread

[Sophia]

I have been looking for very fine linen thread for a while as I like to use it when handsewing my clothes. The 28/2 thread I have been buying from the Mulberry Dyer is excellent for some weights of fabric but not for all.

Various Kentwell people have mentioned Londonderry Linen Thread and listed these people as their supplier:

http://www.threadneedlestreet.com/

Unfortunately they do not have a convenient on-line ordering service and are based in the USA which means the risk of import duty if you make a large order.

However on searching around I have discovered that Londonderry Linen is the USA tradename for Goldschild Threads. I have found a UK supplier from whom I have made a trial order:

http://www.cyberlink.co.uk/timparker/threads1.html

If you are feeling braver and want to deal with exchange rates I also found this site:

http://www.langendorfkloeppel.de/proame ... arng_a.htm

I will keep you posted on what happens. Hope this is useful for someone else.

Sophia

[Mary Craig]

I sell linen threads of all weights and I'm in Scotland so no exchange rates, or international postage. |I hand sew costumes so I'm fussy on the quality of my threads.
PM me for samples if you're interested.

I don't know if I'm really allowed to post this info like this or not on the forum; no worries if it gets modded out

Cheers,
Mary

[Jenn]

Mary why not post your details on the contacts list on the top of this section of the forum?

[fishwife]

Sophia,
We also do 60/2 and 120/2 threads as well! I've lost your pm so can you contact me and I'll get back to you?
Best wishes,
Debbie

[Sophia]

Many thanks to you all for the information.

Mary - for the samples

Debs - will you be at one of the Markets? Will you be doing the finer threads in colours or just as naturals?

I can now report back that the UK stockist I found is no longer carrying the Goldschild threads as stock.

I therefore ordered from these people in Germany - website in English and take paypal, though do charge a small fee for this (4%).

http://www.langendorfkloeppel.de/proame ... arng_a.htm

Postage rates are reasonable and despatch is very swift. I received my package today, complete with the colour card which I requested and two free lace bobbins (not sure what I will use them for).

The 100/3 thread I ordered is seriously fine and is going to be great for linens and the like - could probably even be used on silk it is so fine. They carry the full range of colours which all look right for period work in both 30/3 and 80/3 Nel as stock. 50/3 and 66/3 are available to order. Regrettably they only offer the 100/3 in Ash Gray, Black, Natural, 3/4 bleached and 1/2 bleached and only the latter three from stock (lacemakers thread).

Hope this is useful to folk.

Sophia

[fishwife]

Hi Sophia,
I'll be at TORM as usual - in the cricket hall. I have braved dyeing the 60/2 in a few colours, haven't tried the 120/2 yet - it's scarily fine!!! The dyeing isn't the problem, it's the reballing afterwards, takes forever!!!!

Hope to see you at the end of the month,
Best wishes,
Deb

[Sophia]

Debbie,

Fine is definitely the word.

I look forward to seeing you and your extended range at TORM.

All the best and "bon courage"

Sophia

[restimson]

I've always used lace making suppliers for linen threads. Try Tim Parker: http://www.cyberlink.co.uk/timparker/

Rachel

[Annie the Pedlar]

I've just been to the Handweaver's Studio, Haroldstone Road, London E17 7AN and they had fat reels of linen thread in at least 3 thicknesses/finesses in loads of gorgeous colours. They do mail order and are on the Web http://www.handweaversstudio.co.uk

[Sophia]

Rachel - I have been in touch with Tim Parker and he is no longer going to carry the full range of Goldschild threads as there is not the demand.

The German people however do carry them as stock.

Also when I visited The Twisted Stitch show last weekend I got the opportunity to handle the Texere range of linen threads, Connemara is medium fine and Galway is medium weight. The colour range was good too. They also do lots of other stuff and you can shop online.

http://www.texere.co.uk/

More to follow on what I found at the Twisted Stitch, mainly in the way of thread suppliers, once my sister and I have sorted through all the leaflets, cards and catalogues we picked up.

Sophia

[Nigonwyrtas]

Gutterman's do a Linen thread in a fair range of colours. I haunt sewing shops and have only ever seen it in one - so it's by no means everywhere. It might be too heavyduty for some stuff, though. They also do a silk thread.

These people are in the US but postage isn't going to be too horrendous:

http://www.threadneedlestreet.com/linthrd.htm

These people are fantastic for most things fibre related - I have bought most my stuff from them for years. If you can get to their shop, better still - it's a great place. But they do everything mail order. Can't tell you if they have linen thread as I'm a handspinner - spin for myself if I need things. But they may be of use:

http://www.winghamwoolwork.co.uk

[Sophia]

Was aware of the Gutermann threads - have to go to bigger department stores or specialist stockists for full range of thread types though.

Problem with buying from the US is that anything with a value over $35 is potentially subject to VAT and duty (have been caught out before). Londonderry linen is the trade name Goldschild use to sell their linen lace thread in the US - it is actually made in Austria.

The German link I posted has an English version and they are very efficient - also what they charge is all you have to pay, VAT paid and no duty in the EU.

Have added the other link to my bookmarks - many thanks.

Sophia


Sophia