Gilt Sylke Twist is a reproduction thread based on the wire or strip wrapped silks used in the 17th century. These threads are similar to the silver or silver-gilt 'wyre' threads used for stitches such as plaited braid, where a metal strip is wrapped around a silk core such that no silk shows. In the Gilt Sylke Twist, the metal is wrapped around such that good deals of silk shows, making the color of the silk predominate. To date, I have seen these sparsely wrapped threads used most often for detached buttonhole and some couching. The effect is to make the object stitched look as if it is sprinkled with glitter.
Working with a wire wrapped thread had rewards (sparkle) and challenges (breaking the wire when stitching). I have prepared a primer on working with this thread.
Sample Pack of Gilt Sylke Twist
The Sample pack contains 5 meters each of 12 colors of gilt sylke twist (65 meters). Individually bagged and labeled, the sample pack will stitch approximately 5-6 square inches of dense detached buttonhole stitch. As a reference, the Gilded Grapes Needlework Nibble, was stitched with less than 12 meters of thread.
