Painter’s Threads Soie d'Alger, sold per 5 meter skein, is a 7 ply strandable spun silk of superior quality, given it an unrivaled regularity, lustrous and softness. It has a matte shimmer that remains through washing or ironing. Spun of rather short silk threads, it is relatively “elastic” and has a good grip on the fabric. Soie d'Alger is perfect for hand embroidery, ribbon embroidery, lace making and smocking as well as hand quilting, stumpwork and crewel work. Use the complete thread consisting of 7 plies, or easily separate the plies and use any number of individual threads. (As this is a hand-painted product, color variations are to be expected and swatches here are only an approximation.) [Example photo courtesy House of Textile Arts (formerly known as Tentakulum Manufaktur)]