Wax from the Chicago ‘burbs

Thread Conditioner

Do you need it…not all the time - but it’s nice to have when you do!

Sometimes your thread does not want to cooperate, sometimes you are working with vintage fabrics, sometimes your technique isn’t what it normally is…there are many reasons why you might want to use a thread conditioner.

Thread Conditioner will calm unruly thread, will help ease your thread through coarse or vintage fabrics, and will give a little more strength to your thread when it isn’t your best sewing day.

Why Natural Beeswax?

It’s just that…NATURAL.

Many thread conditioners use petroleum or silicon products to create a coating on the thread. There has not been a whole lot of testing done yet on the effects of these synthetic chemicals but conservators believe it may accelerate the deterioration of natural fibers -

Quilts are labor of love. If you are using high quality cotton fabric, thread, and batting - why would you add non-natural products in the quilting process?

It’s SUSTAINABLE

The bees are our friends, we want them to be happy - we take great care to not disrupt the pollinators too much when harvesting our wax and honey….and when we need more than our own bees can produce…we look to our fellow apiarists that we know take the same care we do when harvesting.

No Harmful CHEMICALS

Skin sensitivities are….well…irritating. And while most of us don’t have to worry too much about what touches our skin, some of us do! When my girls were little, I had a terrible time finding clothes that didn’t make their skin break out…even if I was able to find all cotton fabric - the threads used were often polyester and caused stripes of irritated skin where every seam touched their bodies. Thankfully they outgrew most of their sensitivities, but they still need to be very careful about what products they use on their skin.

Thread conditioner may seem like a small part of your whole project - but if you are stitching by hand…it’s the small part you are touching the whole time! ‘

Our Story

What do you do when you have over-producing bees?

My friend and I were enjoying a nice (socially distant) glass of wine one evening. I was working on some applique, she was lamenting having to throw away the by-product of her honey harvest. Her bees were having an over-productive summer and she had an overabundance of wax. As I struggled to make my stitches hidden, it hit me…the best way to keep my stitches smooth and small is to use a thread conditioner - and the best conditioner is bees wax -

If this lock-down has taught us anything…it is to use our resources wisely and be thankful for what we have. My apiarist friend had leftover wax from her hobby - I use wax for my hobby - it’s a win/win situation. Besides, the bees worked hard to make all that wax - I would hate for all that hard work to go to waste!

2023 Update:

We are growing…I LOVE to hand stitch and I have products I like that make my job easier but they are hard to find all in one place. I am gathered all my favorite items and opened my little shop on this corner of the internet in the fall - Named for my mom and her bestie (my Godmother)…Check out what Marvyda & Naomi has to offer

  • We make this stuff in our home

    • there may be some bee by-product left in your wax…it does not affect the quality of your conditioner. If it really bothers you…let us know, we will work to make it right!

  • We work to be as sustainable as possible

    • we know our product is natural, that’s the easy part. We are working to package it in a convenient and responsible way. If you have any ideas, please share!

  • Our bees are busy…but not that busy

    • we have one hive…and although our bees are making a lot of wax…we have to add in wax from other hives to make enough nuggets for everyone…we take time to research the farms from which we buy and go local whenever possible!