Why ironing is the best thing since sliced bread

With today's resurgence in Home Arts—thanks to magical books about tidying up plus entertaining new decorating shows on tv—it's time to start ironing again! Oh, don't groan. This kind of ironing is fun, doesn't require standing, and there's no steam involved. Just use that lonely iron for good, for creativity, for all that is good in the world: to embellish gifts, decor, anything really, with iron-on metallic threads.

We know you like to make things, so these threads may be an exciting new fiber to play with when you're doodling, coloring, looking up projects on Pinterest and such. They are so easy to use, and you can use them anywhere (even on your coloring books). Here are all the details.

What are iron-on metallic threads?

• A thread line made by Kreinik in West Virginia
• The fiber contains heat-activated adhesive—not sticky to the touch, but will stick to a surface when ironed
• Available in Kreinik Medium #16 Braid (a round thread) and 1/8" Ribbon (a flat thread).
• Available in metallic and glow-in-the-dark colors. See the choices here: http://www.kreinik.com/shops/Iron-On-Threads/

What's so great about them?

• No skill required
• No sewing, stitching, counting, charting required
• As long as you're old enough to use a hot iron, you can use these threads (great for kids' summer crafts)
• Decorate scrapbooks, cards, signs, coloring books, tags, mail, mixed media, any paper (they make store-bought cards look high end)
• Embellish quilts, graduation caps, jeans, pillows, costumes, fiber art, any fabric (perfect for putting names on Christmas stockings)
• Make it look like you embroidered on birdhouses, ornaments, chalkboards, picture frames, or any wooden/hard surface (Get ready to hear, "How did you do that?")
• There's no right or wrong side to them, no "front" or "back" (twist, turn to your heart's desire)

 

What else do you need to know?

• You can finally use that mini craft iron you bought years ago! 
• If your home iron or craft iron doesn't have a non-stick plate, put one of these on it: Kreinik's Adhesive Press Cloth. It will keep your iron clean. See how it works: http://www.kreinik.com/shops/VIDEO-Adhesive-Press-Cloth.html
• You can wash clothes decorated with iron-on threads (by hand preferred, or on Gentle) but after a few washings they may pop off. To secure, just couch them down. 

How to get started?

• Get some freebie patterns and ideas, available for download here: http://www.kreinik.com/shops/Iron-On-Thread-c-501/
• Watch videos or read more here: http://www.kreinik.com/shops/Iron-On-Thread-c-501/
• Buy them at your favorite needlework store, online sources, or here: http://www.kreinik.com/shops/Iron-On-Threads/
• Get a starter set, including a craft iron, like this: http://www.kreinik.com/shops/Quilter-Crafter-Iron-Set.html

Personalizing your home and gifts is more popular than ever. No one wants to look exactly the same as everyone else. These iron-on threads offer a quick and clever way to leave your mark—a sparkling, metallic or glow-in-the-dark mark—to brighten your corner of the world.