Matty Bottles Posted June 21, 2007 Posted June 21, 2007 So what's the skinny on waxed thread? You just get some linen thread and run it over a candle a couple of times or what? "The time was when ships passing one another at sea backed their topsails and had a 'gam,' and on parting fired guns; but those good old days have gone. People have hardly time nowadays to speak even on the broad ocean, where news is news, and as for a salute of guns, they cannot afford the powder. There are no poetry-enshrined freighters on the sea now; it is a prosy life when we have no time to bid one another good morning." - Capt. Joshua Slocum
michaelsbagley Posted June 21, 2007 Posted June 21, 2007 So what's the skinny on waxed thread? You just get some linen thread and run it over a candle a couple of times or what? You certainly can do that.... Some people swear by that method... Others who are more lazy (like me) buy waxed linen thread.... There are dozens (hundreds?) of suppliers, most re-enactment oriented vendors sell the stuff.... Mind if i ask what you would like it for? It definately works well for making certain items, but it can be a nuisance for making other types of things... It is a pretty job specific item.
Matty Bottles Posted June 21, 2007 Author Posted June 21, 2007 I'm throwing together a linen shirt and slop hose. I've decided that it only makes sense to go historical. A ) I've got enough fantasy stuff now. No need to add to that outfit. B ) I understand that linen is a nice material to wear for the summer. Breathes well, doesn't cling to skin, etc. C )You can simply go to more events with a good period kit. I'm using Kass's free shirt pattern from her esotericcreations article and the slops pattern from GoF's site. I'm aiming for mid-calf length slop hose. With the left-over linen I'll make a neck scarf and a market wallet, or maybe a ditty bag. My goal is to be accurate to 1700. That goal is far off, but at least I'm moving closer. "The time was when ships passing one another at sea backed their topsails and had a 'gam,' and on parting fired guns; but those good old days have gone. People have hardly time nowadays to speak even on the broad ocean, where news is news, and as for a salute of guns, they cannot afford the powder. There are no poetry-enshrined freighters on the sea now; it is a prosy life when we have no time to bid one another good morning." - Capt. Joshua Slocum
Capt. Sterling Posted June 21, 2007 Posted June 21, 2007 The skinny is beeswax... not a candle... unless of course perhaps the candle is made of beeswax... you can get beeswax at sewing stores... maybe not the best... Ask Mr. March where he got Skittles' beeswax now that was nice stuff... just run your thread through the block a few times and you are good to go... "I being shot through the left cheek, the bullet striking away great part of my upper jaw, and several teeth which dropt down the deck where I fell... I was forced to write what I would say to prevent the loss of blood, and because of the pain I suffered by speaking."~ Woodes Rogers Crewe of the Archangel http://jcsterlingcptarchang.wix.com/creweofthearchangel# http://creweofthearchangel.wordpress.com/
Patrick Hand Posted June 21, 2007 Posted June 21, 2007 Waxing the thread helps hold the thread's fibers together, and keeps it from tangeling too much... Candle wax will work..... but bees wax is much nicer... you can get bees was at hardware stores, or in fabric stores... (You get a larger chunk of beeswax at a hardware store tho.....) If you have one of those "Farmer's Markets" near you check out the people that sell honey.... they will sometimes also sell bees wax....
Matty Bottles Posted June 22, 2007 Author Posted June 22, 2007 Thanks, everybody! "The time was when ships passing one another at sea backed their topsails and had a 'gam,' and on parting fired guns; but those good old days have gone. People have hardly time nowadays to speak even on the broad ocean, where news is news, and as for a salute of guns, they cannot afford the powder. There are no poetry-enshrined freighters on the sea now; it is a prosy life when we have no time to bid one another good morning." - Capt. Joshua Slocum
Capt. Sterling Posted June 22, 2007 Posted June 22, 2007 Candle wax will work..... Yeah try the scented ones... snigger.... "I being shot through the left cheek, the bullet striking away great part of my upper jaw, and several teeth which dropt down the deck where I fell... I was forced to write what I would say to prevent the loss of blood, and because of the pain I suffered by speaking."~ Woodes Rogers Crewe of the Archangel http://jcsterlingcptarchang.wix.com/creweofthearchangel# http://creweofthearchangel.wordpress.com/
theM.A.dDogge Posted June 22, 2007 Posted June 22, 2007 Damn boy!...you keep goin like you are...we'll be hard pressed to keep up with YOU!
Capt. Sterling Posted June 22, 2007 Posted June 22, 2007 Aye just think, he'll have more clothes then me soon.... ahem.... "I being shot through the left cheek, the bullet striking away great part of my upper jaw, and several teeth which dropt down the deck where I fell... I was forced to write what I would say to prevent the loss of blood, and because of the pain I suffered by speaking."~ Woodes Rogers Crewe of the Archangel http://jcsterlingcptarchang.wix.com/creweofthearchangel# http://creweofthearchangel.wordpress.com/
Matty Bottles Posted June 22, 2007 Author Posted June 22, 2007 Let me see: my currently unshod, poorly armed, barely clad self is in no danger of outstriping either of you, rest assured. "The time was when ships passing one another at sea backed their topsails and had a 'gam,' and on parting fired guns; but those good old days have gone. People have hardly time nowadays to speak even on the broad ocean, where news is news, and as for a salute of guns, they cannot afford the powder. There are no poetry-enshrined freighters on the sea now; it is a prosy life when we have no time to bid one another good morning." - Capt. Joshua Slocum
Capt. Sterling Posted June 22, 2007 Posted June 22, 2007 Call Mr. March regarding weapons... might make yerself a nice wedding present... :angry: "I being shot through the left cheek, the bullet striking away great part of my upper jaw, and several teeth which dropt down the deck where I fell... I was forced to write what I would say to prevent the loss of blood, and because of the pain I suffered by speaking."~ Woodes Rogers Crewe of the Archangel http://jcsterlingcptarchang.wix.com/creweofthearchangel# http://creweofthearchangel.wordpress.com/
Matty Bottles Posted June 22, 2007 Author Posted June 22, 2007 Perhaps I will. I am not completely helpless; I have the windlass steelcrafts Dutch Clamshell cutless and a dagger of a rather ageless design (in my opinion) which my grandfather made, but firelocks are not within my purview just yet... And if we may divert back to linen thread for a moment, I have discovered that the local art supply store sells linen thread and beeswax. However, I wonder if it might be too thick? Any input would be greatly appreciated. I suspect it would be okay, especially for working clothes, but my assumptions are not documentation, and if I am going to spend the time to do this right, I'd like to do it right the first time. The linen thread in question. "The time was when ships passing one another at sea backed their topsails and had a 'gam,' and on parting fired guns; but those good old days have gone. People have hardly time nowadays to speak even on the broad ocean, where news is news, and as for a salute of guns, they cannot afford the powder. There are no poetry-enshrined freighters on the sea now; it is a prosy life when we have no time to bid one another good morning." - Capt. Joshua Slocum
Capt. Sterling Posted June 22, 2007 Posted June 22, 2007 Hmm book binding thread... could be too thick...not to mention does not look as if there be 100 yards to that package, but I could be wrong... Try William Booth, Draper... right stuff better prices.. scroll down on yer left to notions...click on thread Booth "I being shot through the left cheek, the bullet striking away great part of my upper jaw, and several teeth which dropt down the deck where I fell... I was forced to write what I would say to prevent the loss of blood, and because of the pain I suffered by speaking."~ Woodes Rogers Crewe of the Archangel http://jcsterlingcptarchang.wix.com/creweofthearchangel# http://creweofthearchangel.wordpress.com/
Matty Bottles Posted June 22, 2007 Author Posted June 22, 2007 Thank you. I called the store, and they said there was fifty yards in the package, I believe. I will check out Draper's. EDIT: The selection there is fantastic! "The time was when ships passing one another at sea backed their topsails and had a 'gam,' and on parting fired guns; but those good old days have gone. People have hardly time nowadays to speak even on the broad ocean, where news is news, and as for a salute of guns, they cannot afford the powder. There are no poetry-enshrined freighters on the sea now; it is a prosy life when we have no time to bid one another good morning." - Capt. Joshua Slocum
Capt. Sterling Posted June 22, 2007 Posted June 22, 2007 Good man to get materials from... and he has all those kids to feed!! "I being shot through the left cheek, the bullet striking away great part of my upper jaw, and several teeth which dropt down the deck where I fell... I was forced to write what I would say to prevent the loss of blood, and because of the pain I suffered by speaking."~ Woodes Rogers Crewe of the Archangel http://jcsterlingcptarchang.wix.com/creweofthearchangel# http://creweofthearchangel.wordpress.com/
Matty Bottles Posted June 22, 2007 Author Posted June 22, 2007 Lord knows I'll support a family man... must be my Papist tendencies... "The time was when ships passing one another at sea backed their topsails and had a 'gam,' and on parting fired guns; but those good old days have gone. People have hardly time nowadays to speak even on the broad ocean, where news is news, and as for a salute of guns, they cannot afford the powder. There are no poetry-enshrined freighters on the sea now; it is a prosy life when we have no time to bid one another good morning." - Capt. Joshua Slocum
Jack Roberts Posted June 22, 2007 Posted June 22, 2007 Could you use that thread for a machine? (I'm need of some size 40 thread in cotton but linen thread will work. ) I need some thick sturdy thread for me tent.
Capt. Sterling Posted June 22, 2007 Posted June 22, 2007 The book binding thread? "I being shot through the left cheek, the bullet striking away great part of my upper jaw, and several teeth which dropt down the deck where I fell... I was forced to write what I would say to prevent the loss of blood, and because of the pain I suffered by speaking."~ Woodes Rogers Crewe of the Archangel http://jcsterlingcptarchang.wix.com/creweofthearchangel# http://creweofthearchangel.wordpress.com/
Jack Roberts Posted June 22, 2007 Posted June 22, 2007 I'm sorry I should have defined what I meant. I meant the Linen thread from Wm. Booth Draper. My apologies.
Capt. Sterling Posted June 23, 2007 Posted June 23, 2007 Hmmm I would think you could... I've not actually purchased the thread from Booth (Fabric yes, lace yes,) as I can get mine right in town... wouldn't hurt to give him a call. From the looks of the spools, I don't think it would be a problem... just not sure if his thread would do for a tent actually.... for that you might be wanting to contact Panther Primitives... "I being shot through the left cheek, the bullet striking away great part of my upper jaw, and several teeth which dropt down the deck where I fell... I was forced to write what I would say to prevent the loss of blood, and because of the pain I suffered by speaking."~ Woodes Rogers Crewe of the Archangel http://jcsterlingcptarchang.wix.com/creweofthearchangel# http://creweofthearchangel.wordpress.com/
Matty Bottles Posted June 24, 2007 Author Posted June 24, 2007 When I looked at his page, I thought that he specified which thread could be used in a swing machine. 60/2: Fine hand sewing linen thread is good for sewing most shirt or shift weight linen and works in most sewing machines. It is available in 498 yd. spools. We carry three shades; unbleached, off white, and white. All are $10.00 a spool. For example in New Jersey in 1781 "a quantity of fine thread" was stolen. "The time was when ships passing one another at sea backed their topsails and had a 'gam,' and on parting fired guns; but those good old days have gone. People have hardly time nowadays to speak even on the broad ocean, where news is news, and as for a salute of guns, they cannot afford the powder. There are no poetry-enshrined freighters on the sea now; it is a prosy life when we have no time to bid one another good morning." - Capt. Joshua Slocum
Capt. Sterling Posted June 24, 2007 Posted June 24, 2007 always helps to read the fine print... "I being shot through the left cheek, the bullet striking away great part of my upper jaw, and several teeth which dropt down the deck where I fell... I was forced to write what I would say to prevent the loss of blood, and because of the pain I suffered by speaking."~ Woodes Rogers Crewe of the Archangel http://jcsterlingcptarchang.wix.com/creweofthearchangel# http://creweofthearchangel.wordpress.com/
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