About the Manufacturing of Thread :: Each time a specific color of thread is manufactured minute differences may occur. The color may vary a little bit even though the same dye lot formula is used, also known as 'dye lot drift'. The finishing or bonding process may also vary a little bit, so one lot/batch of spools have a slightly different hand or feel. When noticeable differences in dye lot or feel occur, I try to annotate them in the color close-ups. Actual dye lot affect the thread itself as well, so as a general rule darker colors have a heavier feel than lighter colors. The actual thickness of the thread is changed. White nylon thread for example is always slightly thinner and has a lighter hand than colored nylon thread as it does not have any molecules of dyes attached to the molecules of nylon!
#18 Confusion :: Many different type of thread have the number 18 in their name. Thread terminology is often confusing, do not confuse this thread with Nylon Seine Twine Size 18 or #18 Nylon Seine Twine, a cord much thicker usually available only in white or bright yellow or Nylon Crochet Thread Size 18 used for purses mostly. If you are looking for Nylon Crochet Thread, two companies make this thread, Omega Hilo and JP Coats. JP Coats is only available in a few colors. The Hilos Omega La Espiga Nylon Crochet Thread comes in a wide variety of colors and many sizes. The best online source for this product is Crochet Style ETC in Columbus Ohio at
http://crochetstyleetc.com/
C-Lon Bead Cord :: The breaking strength is approx 34 lbs. Thread diameter is less than 0.5mm (0.5 millimeter = 0.019 685 039 inch = 1.26/64th of an inch). It fits easily one time through the holes of standard 4mm gemstone beads and Miyuki 11/0 seed beads. Doubled with a beeswax self-needle it passes through most 6mm gemstone beads, but only through some of the 4mm and the doubled thread on a split-eye needle passes easily through Miyuki 8/0s.
Each bobbin/spool is approximately 1 1/8 inches in diameter and 1 5/8 inches tall and holds approximately 86 yards. (Metric: bobbin diam. = 28mm, height = 40mm, approx 78 meters of thread per bobbin.)
Made in the USA.
About C-Lon Bead Cord Curling Up :: When unwinding the thread, give it a pull one arm's length at a time and guess what: no more curls!
C-Lon Micro Cord :: Thin beading cord from C-lon similar to Nylon #69. Breaking strength 11lbs, approx 0.12mm thick. Use for detailed micro macrame, stringing with small-hole beads, crochet with 11s and 15s. Available in 16 colors. Colors matches C-lon Bead Cord colors. Economical packaging when compared with other beading thread per yard!
C-Lon Tex 400 Beading Cord ::
New heavyweight beading cord, 16 colors introduced in May 2008. Colors matches C-Lon Bead Cord colors. Diameter approx .9mm, just a breath under 1mm with my calipers. It is thicker than the Tuff Bead Cord Size 7 and in between the Omega Nylon Crochet size #5 and #6. Breaking strength approx 75 lbs. It fits through 4mm gemstone beads, Miyuki 8/0s once with a self needle and it passes easily twice through Miyuki 6/0s.
About Superlon or S-Lon Mac/Bead Cord :: C-Lon is the original line. S-Lon/Superlon Mac/Bead Cord appears to be an exact copy or the same product, packaged in smaller, shorter and wider spools (77 yards versus 86 yards). S-Lon is slightly more expensive per yard.
About Mastex :: Genuine Mastex nylon #18 is back in production. Some 2005 vintage thread is still available. Their new thread is spooled on cardboard similarly as Conso. The new stock is very similar to Robinson thread if you are familiar with that brand, no longer in production. The color match more closely their original color card, if you have one. Check the newly re-released Mastex page!
Comparison between Beadsmith and Mastex Nylon #18 :: At first look they seem similar. The diameter is about the same. The Beadsmith thread has a heavier hand and more slippery, so it is more difficult to knot. Mastex is softer and more pliable. The color line although similar to Mastex, has many variations. On the positive side the Beadsmith Black is a real dark black, the blackest black of all the thread available. I also really like Jade and Chinese Rust. Chinese Rust as well as some other colors are no longer available as Beadsmith may discontinue this product.
About Conso :: The oldest American company producing Nylon #18, nowadays manufactured in India. The color chart has not changed since the 70's (other than a one year hiatus), dye lots are wildly changeable, quality is sometime an issue. For some use, it is really a fantastic thread and it has its avid fans. One of my colleague swears by it for its durability and long lasting quality. It holds knots well.
Personal Notes :: I have been using Nylon #18, Nylon #69, the Kanagawa Silks, Satin Cords and many of the thread currently sold in this online store for over 28 years. My personal supplies include the C-Lon Bead & Micro Cord lines, Mastex, Beadsmith, Conso, Tuff Bead Cord in Size 1 and 5, and my 'museum or vintage colors': nylon #18 no longer produced and manufactured, such as Robinson, Macrawold and discontinued colors by Conso and Mastex. I intermix them, use them individually and in combination. Color is usually my first criterion when choosing a thread, but quality is also an issue as different brands have different quality better suited for some specific uses. At one point I considered dyeing colors myself, but in order to get a good quality permanent dye harmful chemicals need to be used, better suited for an industrial setting. In October 2005 when I found the C-Lon line and got so excited with the new bright colors 32 colors at that time. Imagine 3 purples, a chartreuse, lots of different pinks and a color line growing from 32 to 58 and now to 64 colors. I feel I am back in kindergarten playing with all these new colors. Wow!
C-Lon Micro Cord and Nylon #69 :: I use nylon #69/C-Lon Micro Cord in conjunction with nylon #18. It is great for stitching, wrapping, finishing and hidden construction. I also occasionally use it to do part of a one of a kind piece, such as the micro-knotting of a mini cabochon for a very small gemstone with need of a very high count of knots per square inch. It is also a great thread for beading fine beads with small holes such as many of the semi-precious and precious faceted beads out on the market right now. Many of my customers use this thread for bead crochet and bead loom weaving. One of my customers made several wallets with beaded panels woven on a loom with nylon #69 about 15 years ago. Her wallets have been in use everyday for over 15 years with no sign of wear!
Kanagawa 1000 Denier Embroidery Silk :: I love this thread! I ply it into a larger thread for beading and wrapping. I also use it for half hitching in free-form cavandoli and micro-macrame in combination with nylon #18 and C-Lon Bead Cord. It has a lovely feel and sheen. The filaments are sturdy and well plied. It does well with manipulation unlike some other silks. The color range is great!
