The Metal Thread Pendant or Brooch design is an intermediate metal thread project. I am no longer selling the kit or supplies for this design but you may order a downloadable PDF File of the instructions and get the supplies else where.

There are 13 pages of step-by-step instructions with diagrams to make the pendant or brooch.

The pendant or brooch takes 8 to 12 hours to make.

The embroidery is worked by sewing down strands of pearl purl which is a coiled metal thread, the stitches are hidden in the coils of the thread. In-between the lines of pearl purl are sections of check purl chips (soft metal beads).

The finished pendant or brooch can be painted with a clear non-yellowing varnish so it does not tarnish.

Size:

• Pendant Height: 2 inches (5 cm) high by 1 3/4 inches (4 1/2 cm) wide
• Brooch Height and Width: 1 3/4 inches (4 1/2 cm) wide

 Materials Required (exact amounts, allow extra for mistakes):

• • A Piece of Silk Organza Fabric 8 inch by 8 inch: The organza fabric is the foundation on which the pendant or brooch will be embroidered.  Synthetic organza fabric can be used, but it does not glue into position as easily as silk fabric during the construction stage.
  • A Piece of Black Felt 2 inch by 2 inch: The black felt is sewn down as the foundation for the pendant or brooch and then the metal threads are stitched over top.
  • Three Colours of No. 2 Pearl Purls, Colour #1: 8 inches, Colour #2: 11 inches Colour #3: 8 inches (page 6 of the instructions shows the location of the Pearl Purl colours): Pearl purl is a tightly wound coil that looks like a strand of pearls and is sewn down as decorative lines on the pendant or brooch.
  • Any Size and Colour of Bright Check Purl or Wire Check Purl: 12 inches: Check purl comes as a long hollow metal tube with a jagged yet sparkly appearance. The tube is cut up into small chips (beads) and sewn down in sections of the on the pendant or brooch.
  • Light Blue Polyester Sewing Thread 1 Yard: Used to transfer the design onto the felt.
  • Black Polyester Sewing Thread 20 Yards: Used to sew down the felt and metal threads.

Visit the Metal Threads Information Page For Pictures and Descriptions of the Metal Threads

Tools

• • • Size 10 Crewel Embroidery Needles
    • Hoop (Ring Frame): To hold fabric tight whilst stitching
    • Sharp Embroidery Scissors: Cutting the metal will dull the scissors so use an inexpensive sharp pair of small embroidery scissors. You will require sharp blades to get a clean cut when cutting the metal threads.
    • Goldwork or Beading Pad (Optional): A soft fabric surface on which to cut the purl threads on so they do not slide around on the tabletop.
    • Mellor (Optional): For Pushing Metal Threads in Position (you can work the pendant without the Mellor)
    • Beeswax (Optional): You can use the beeswax to coat the polyester sewing thread to help protect the sewing thread from the abrasive metal threads.

 Finishing Materials

• • Pendant Bail and Necklace or Brooch Bar Pin: To make a pendant or brooch.
  • A Piece of Black Felt 2 inch by 2 inch: The pendant or brooch is backed with a piece of black felt.
  • Craft Glue: For constructing the project.
  • Clear Non-Yellowing Varnish: To help protect the metal threads. If you are using real metal threads which are copper or silver based, these can tarnish when they are exposed to the acid in regular packaging and to exposure to sun over long periods of time. To help prevent the metal threads from tarnishing or the colour scratching off the coloured No. 2 Pearl Purls you can paint the finished project with a clear, non-yellowing varnish.