I really REALLY want them! I've never used anything but DMC though - I guess I'm kind of wondering if the expense is worth it - if it is that different.
Any advice you guys? Anyone used silks before? Thanks for the input - any encouragement is welcome - I'm just needing a little push, I suppose!
Mabel is our resident expert and she has a post in the Tips and Tricks section that may help you as she is reviewing many of the silk threads that are out there. I am sure she will give you lots of great advice.
If you are looking for some one to help change you, look in the mirror
I wonder if you could use cheaper silks and still get the same effects.
Silks are wonderful to the touch and would no doubt produce a special picture, but maybe a cheaper silk would be just as good?
Hopefully Mabel will be here soon to advise (reads that as ENABLE! lol).
There's nothing better than a good friend, except a good friend with CHOCOLATE! Forget love! I'd rather fall in CHOCOLATE!
Current With Faith
Dogs
Snow Leopard (Haed)
Big Cats
1) does it include the chart and fabric on the link you provided
2) do some quick maths, how much extra would that package be then you bought them using DMC, if that makes sense.
I'm working on Mirabilia Christmas Elegance in silk. It is very different than DMC. I shopped around to get the thread that would give me the result I was looking for, the sheen. Mabel will be able to give you details on the specific threads. I chose soie d'alger for the sheen I wanted but they are different. I feel that some projects deserve the expense ane I think this is one of them. ...but I love birds and the effect of silk.
Ok, the price on the website is just for the silks (not including the pattern/fabric). I counted them up (thanks for the idea Lisa!) and there are 90 colors, so it would be about $1.00 per skein. In perspective, DMC where I live is about $0.30 a skein. Using the silks would certainly be a splurge!
The design does look amazing, and I can see why they recommend silks, it does seem like they are nice to work with, not springy and uncontrollable, so if you can, go for it
This is such a lovely idea and I'm sure the finished project would look great in silk. Yes, it costs more, but if you think how long it takes to complete a HAED then in cost per hour of enjoyment it still works out very cheap (oh how I love that argument ).
The only little question mark I have is the following quote from her site:
"Quantities of floss provided are expected to complete the pattern as called for in the pattern directions using recommended fabrics but not guaranteed. "
If you get half way through the project and run out of a thread colour, it might be difficult to match as hand-dyes can't be guaranteed from batch to batch. However, if you get in touch with HAED and tell them the fabric and stitch you intend to use, I think I am right in saying they will get back to you with the thread quantities you will need (I'm sure I've seen people talking about this in the HAED forum). I think I would do this first and check that you are being offered the right amount of floss before committing to buying the silks for this wonderful project.
Susan
My Stitchy blog: SF Stitch
(updated 16th April 2010)
As it so happens I have got some of Vikki Clayton's silks; I haven't used them yet (not allowed to until Isobel and cow are finished) but they look and feel very nice. They have quite a strong twist, which means the sheen is not so pronounced as with a flat silk. If I did a big project like this in silks, and I really wanted to get that pure silk sheen, I would definitely go for a flat silk, and probably Eterna silks because they come in a lot of colours and are relatively cheap (HDF silks from their own website are5 yds for $1.25, Eterna are 5m for $1.05), although exact conversion may be difficult. Also, whether you prefer the sheen of flat silk or the texture of twisted silk is very much a matter of taste.
If you like I could send you a small swatch of both the HDF silk and the flat Eterna, and you could do a few stitches to see which you prefer -- just let me know!
You can read all about their various silks here, which also has a link to their online shop. Bit as I said, if you'd like to try a couple of strands of both, pm me your address and I'll send you some so you can "try before you buy"
Hello all - does anyone here remember me? I've been away for years, mistakenly letting a health issue and my adult job get in the way of time for my hobbies. I've been lurking off and on the last year and trying to finish some old WIPs - so that I can begin new ones, of course! I will be updating all my old threads so that all you lovelies who encouraged me when I began can see my projects now. A HUGE thank you is due to you all for your encouragement when I was here - this community is just wonderful.
I did start this project - over Memorial Day weekend in 2010. I just finished him (with the exception of a little Kreinik in his tail - I always seem to avoid those stitches if I can) over the Christmas (2018) break. I named him Edgar (since he remind's me of Poe's Raven) and I enjoyed working on him - the colors are so vibrant! Ended up using DMC, though - not silks.
Welcome back, Amanda
Edgar is absolutely beautiful
Hélène
Finished: Joan Elliott. Rainbow Fairy
Fit Kit by Peter Underhill
The Choir by Peter Underhill
Angel Of The Morning by Lavender & Lace Best of Friends by Mabel Lucie Attwell
Great to have you back on board Amanda and with this fabulous finish too. He is utterly gorgeous and oh those colours. Well Done and I am really looking forward to more of your work I do hope the "health issues" have now settled down.
Sally in Brisbane Australia
WIPS
Christmas Stocking from World of Cross Stitching mag. 262
Already welcomed you back once, but Edgar certainly deserves a welcome also! I think he's done very well with DMC threads. Exquisite stitching! Looking forward to seeing what you will be doing next!
Carole
WIPs
Star Wars Afghan:Chewbaca
HAEDs:
O Kitten Tree
Dancing with the Cat
Everything else "on hold"
2022 Finished: Star Wars Afghan: Princess Leia, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Yoda, Finn, Rey, Poe, Han Solo,Darth Vader, BB8,Luke Skywalker
There's nothing better than a good friend, except a good friend with CHOCOLATE! 
I have got some of Vikki Clayton's silks; I haven't used them yet (not allowed to until Isobel and cow are finished) but they look and feel very nice. They have quite a strong twist, which means the sheen is not so pronounced as with a flat silk. If I did a big project like this in silks, and I really wanted to get that pure silk sheen, I would definitely go for a flat silk, and probably Eterna silks because they come in a lot of colours and are relatively cheap (HDF silks from their own website are5 yds for $1.25, Eterna are 5m for $1.05), although exact conversion may be difficult. Also, whether you prefer the sheen of flat silk or the texture of twisted silk is very much a matter of taste.
Great to have you back on board Amanda and with this fabulous finish too. He is utterly gorgeous and oh those colours. Well Done and I am really looking forward to more of your work 
I do hope the "health issues" have now settled down.
