You are looking to wax your thread for a project, like leatherworking or making jewelry. Waxing the thread will make it stronger, keep it in place better, and make it less easy to unthread.
Required Gear
To start this process off, you need:
- the thread you want to use for your project (I prefer linen or cotton)
- piece of beeswax
- a pencil to make the ball of waxed threads
How to Wax Thread: Step-by-Step Guide
First, place one edge of the thread between the tip of your thumb and beeswax. Then, with the other hand, grab that edge of the thread and pull tightly 4-5 times on each side of the string before moving onto another section. Repeat until all sides have been pulled tight with beeswax.
Start with one thread and put it on one of the pencil’s ends. Put the middle on the other cord. Wrap it around and behind, in front and in the middle, and then under and behind again. Keep rolling up your thread, so you have a ball of even size. At last, put your end of the thread under the last ring you made.
Depending on the project you’re going to use it for, you may want the thread waxed more or less. Again, it’s a personal preference, and you will just need to find what works best for your project.
The finished product is your string with beeswax on it. It will make thread stronger, hold knots better, and keep them from sliding out as easily. Now you are ready for your project!
FAQ
Can you wax thread with a candle?
No, wax from a candle is too brittle and will likely break. Beeswax provides the best results for threading material.
Should I wax cotton thread?
Before stitching with cotton and silk thread, it should always be waxed. You can wax cotton thread if you want, but it doesn’t provide the same level of hold that linen or other string materials do. Again, it’s purely a personal preference and will depend on your project.
How often should I wax my thread?
With each use, it is fine, but you may find certain projects requiring more frequent application than others. But, again, this comes down to personal preference since there are no set rules for how much beeswax needs to be applied for different types of material.
Why use beeswax in cross stitch?
Before you start stitching, put a little beeswax on the thread. Beeswax makes thread smoother and less fuzzy. It also prevents the thread from tangling during stitching. Beeswax also makes the threads line up neatly together. That’s a little thing that makes a big difference!
Final Words
In conclusion, if you want to make your thread stronger, keep it from slipping out of the knot as easily, and prevent tangling, then waxing is a great option. You can use beeswax or try candle wax, but I wouldn’t recommend that because it’s brittle and will likely break off very quickly.
We hope this blog post will help you to wax the thread. Good luck!
