What Is Metallic Thread ?

[modeller]

I recently inherited a metre lenght of black velvet and on this velvet were two ' embroided 22cm×18cm ' Taj Mahals . They are fantastic and sparkling in gold thread . Its not a bit tarnished although probably 30 years old.
The mosque is standing out almost a cm from the cloth. I assume it must be padded ! I have no idea how it is all done or what it is for . It is long enough to drape along the top of a sofa but that wouldn't be comfortable.

I don't know a thing about embroidery or what something like that is used for. It must have taken years to do ! Can anyone tell me what metallic thread is made of, why doesn't it tarnish, and any suggestions as to what I could use it for . I had thought of framing it . It would make an impressive picture.

[Mamyalynne]

They are usually coated, in modern times with plastic - both for ease of yse and to safeguard the design. The raised work you mention sounds like a form of Stumpwork which is indeed padded to give a 3D effect.

[woofgang]

metallic thread these days is made of finely shredded metallic plastic (like space blanket) either blended with or twisted around a fibre thread.

[nungate]

If I remember correctly, the raised bits of your embroidery will be stumpwork as Mama says, there is usually a backing material which slit open behind the needlework and then some sort of padding is pushed in to raise the stiching which is on the front of the material. Modern metallic threads tend not to tarnish so you must have some really old threads. It sound a very nice piece of work, you might think about using it as a "hanging" if you don't think it would work along the back of a sofa. You'd need to find someone who could put a "channel" through which a small pole could be pushed in order to hang it on the wall.

[rowanwitch]

The 'gold thread' is possbly gold plated 'bullion or wire' which is stitched down or 'couched' to outline parts of an image it can be used as a fill are you sure about the date?

[nungate]

Forgot about the couching bit.
I have a book on goldwork somewhere if you can wait a while (might be tomorrow) I can go look for it

[rowanwitch]

http://www.tapestrypalace.com/56-205-large/premium-taj-mahal-kalaga-tapestry.jpg

Kalaga work

[woofgang]

Synthetic metallic thread is older than 30 years, the space blanket itself is 45 years old this year! This would explain why the thread had not tarnished.
It sounds like you have a souvenir piece. if you have a google around, they come up for sale on ebay and etsy. I would get it framed in a box frame to allow for the stumpwork. It won't be cheap but will make a lovely display piece.

[modeller]

Thanks a lot. I shall look up the various terms you have used. I have looked at it under amagnifying glass and it is highly complex. There are even spots of blue and pink colour each spot being about 1mm across.











































Thanks for your answers I shall look up the terms you have used so hopefully I will then be better informed. It is diffcult to be sure of the colours as it depends on the light source. The main dome has a pinky and silver tint and there are spots of blue and pink in flowers each spot being about 1mm across.

[modeller]

http://i1292.photobucket.com/albums/b563/hamiltongborders/028TajMahal2ndenhancedfinal_zpsc7082ec7.jpg

Here is a link for you to see a picture of the embroidery. Like any picture its not perfect but it will give some idea. This a new photo site for me so I hope it works. Thanks for your help.