20.1.21 Dissolvable thread
Medical:
‘Dissolvable stitches are designed to disintegrate on their own, over a specific amount of time. They’re made of ingredients that absorb readily into skin.
Suture ingredients are always sterile. They include:
-synthetic polymer materials, such as polydioxanone, polyglycolic acid, polyglyconate, and polylactic acid
-natural materials, such as purified catgut, collagen, sheep intestines, cow intestines, and silk (though stitches made of silk are usually treated as permanent)’ (Healthline, 2021)
‘(The) timeframe can range from a few days to one to two weeks or even several months. For example, wisdom tooth removal may require dissolvable stitches that will dissolve within a few weeks.’ (Healthline, 2021)
Embroidery:
‘Water soluble thread. Perfect for basting and applique. Not recommended for swimsuits. (Ha ha!)
Vanish water-soluble thread is created from a special blend of ingredients that allows the thread to be sewn or quilted and when immersed in water, dissolve.
Vanish is available in two versions, Vanish-Lite is for sewing on home sewing machines and Vanish-Extra is for quilting on longarm machines. We recommend that you immerse your quilt/project to allow Vanish to thoroughly dissolve. Warm water will speed up the time for Vanish to dissolve.’ (Barnyarns, 2021)
So, what would be the point of making something with dissolvable thread? It would be ephemeral, change over time and eventually disintegrate entirely. The embroidery thread, I think, would dissolve too quickly in the elements; the medical material might last for longer. However, both are very thin and would be extremely difficult to knit. Also, it seems that they aren’t necessarily sustainable anyway. What would they leave behind?
Barnyarns (2021) Water soluble thread Available at: https://www.barnyarns.co.uk/thread/superior-threads/special-effects-threads/water-soluble-thread/ (Accessed: 20 January 2021)
Healthline (2021) How long does it take for a dissolvable stitch to dissolve? Available at: https://www.healthline.com/health/dissolvable-stitches (Accessed: 21 January 2021)
Medical:
‘Dissolvable stitches are designed to disintegrate on their own, over a specific amount of time. They’re made of ingredients that absorb readily into skin.
Suture ingredients are always sterile. They include:
-synthetic polymer materials, such as polydioxanone, polyglycolic acid, polyglyconate, and polylactic acid
-natural materials, such as purified catgut, collagen, sheep intestines, cow intestines, and silk (though stitches made of silk are usually treated as permanent)’ (Healthline, 2021)
‘(The) timeframe can range from a few days to one to two weeks or even several months. For example, wisdom tooth removal may require dissolvable stitches that will dissolve within a few weeks.’ (Healthline, 2021)
Embroidery:
‘Water soluble thread. Perfect for basting and applique. Not recommended for swimsuits. (Ha ha!)
Vanish water-soluble thread is created from a special blend of ingredients that allows the thread to be sewn or quilted and when immersed in water, dissolve.
Vanish is available in two versions, Vanish-Lite is for sewing on home sewing machines and Vanish-Extra is for quilting on longarm machines. We recommend that you immerse your quilt/project to allow Vanish to thoroughly dissolve. Warm water will speed up the time for Vanish to dissolve.’ (Barnyarns, 2021)
So, what would be the point of making something with dissolvable thread? It would be ephemeral, change over time and eventually disintegrate entirely. The embroidery thread, I think, would dissolve too quickly in the elements; the medical material might last for longer. However, both are very thin and would be extremely difficult to knit. Also, it seems that they aren’t necessarily sustainable anyway. What would they leave behind?
Barnyarns (2021) Water soluble thread Available at: https://www.barnyarns.co.uk/thread/superior-threads/special-effects-threads/water-soluble-thread/ (Accessed: 20 January 2021)
Healthline (2021) How long does it take for a dissolvable stitch to dissolve? Available at: https://www.healthline.com/health/dissolvable-stitches (Accessed: 21 January 2021)
