Sulky Holoshimmer Metallic Polyester Thread - 250 Yards, Dark Blue - Perfect for Embroidery, Quilting, and Sewing Projects

I bought this partway through a cross stitch project that I had gridded with water soluble pen. Pen has worked well for me on Aida, but I was using even weave fabric and could not find a pen with a fine enough tip to make a neat line on that. I finally gave in and ordered some of this stuff, and am so glad I did! While it takes longer to grid with this than with pen, the lines are so much sharper and clearer. I found that it stays in place easily in even weave without having to knot it if you just sew it in for several stitches before starting the gridding. I cut this in in lengths about equivalent to what I use when stitching (about 20" / 50cm), and found it easy enough to manage at that length. The one thing I learned from that first project is that I find it easier to leave it in (and stitch under it) rather than cutting and pulling out pieces as I go. When you cut you end up with little ends that will get in your way when stitching nearby. Just leave it all in, and pull it out at the end, stitching under it to make it easier to see where you are in your chart and to make it easier to make sure you pull it all out when you're done.This color worked really well for a piece stitched on an off-white fabric, using mostly warm colors. I should pick up a couple of other colors of this to use in project that have a lot of blue and/or dark colors in them, so that the grid stays as visible as possible. Though if you stitch with a strong light and magnification (as I always do) it should be pretty visible even if you're using similar colors of floss.