Invisible elastic thread: the hybrid advantages explained

Invisible elastic thread is fine, dark, low-shine thread that also stretches. The stretch is the hybrid advantage: it soaks up small shakes, lets a short length do a lot of work and makes pre-made loops possible. The trade-off is reach, so plain invisible thread still wins for longer hook-ups, and a clear workshop elastic is a different product altogether.

Why does stretch matter in thread magic?

Anyone who has tried to float a borrowed ring with ordinary invisible thread knows the problem: the thread is so fine that a tiny jerk of the hand either shows up as a wobble or snaps the strand. Elastic invisible thread was developed to take some of that pain away. If you have read our invisible thread guide and our post on elastic thread, this is where the two meet.

What is invisible elastic thread?

It is thread made to stay unseen in front of an audience, like regular invisible thread, but with real give in it. Mesika Elastics is a good example of the category: the maker calls it an invisible elastic thread, supplies a single 100-foot fibre in a dental-floss-style dispenser, and says it has a matte black finish to cut down reflection and can stretch up to five times its original size. The description also says it is the same thread custom designed for Mesika Loops.

One thing it is not: Elastic Utility Thread. That is a clear, tough elastic thread on a 656-foot spool, sold for building and repairing gimmicks. Its low-gloss finish helps keep it hidden inside a prop, but it is a workshop material, not a thread for floating objects in front of people.

How does the hybrid actually help?

Here is the general principle, without giving away any particular trick.

• It acts like a shock absorber. The maker of Vectra Virtuoso describes its slight elasticity as a shock absorber that removes small jerks and shakiness, so a floating object stays steadier while your hands are not perfectly still.
• A little goes a long way. Because the fibre stretches, a short length can cover more distance than it would as plain thread. That is what makes ready-made loops practical.
• Low shine stays low shine. Matte, dark finishes are there to stop light catching the line, which is the main way any thread gets spotted.

Not all stretch is good stretch. The Virtuoso description draws a clear line between controlled elasticity and the springiness of a kinky or twisted thread, which behaves like a spring and bounces. You want the first, not the second.

When is invisible elastic thread the right choice?

It shines in close-up animation and levitation with light, everyday objects. The description for Loops New Generation talks about floating a borrowed ring or bill and moving items like silverware, and says the set-up takes a few seconds and then you are ready for the day. That “always ready” quality is the big draw for walk-around and impromptu performers.

It is not the answer to everything. One invisible-thread system maker points out that loops are portable and easy to use but limited by the short length of the filament and the wrist hook-up. For effects that need more reach, such as a long float across a table or a stage piece, plain invisible thread or a reel is usually the better tool. Our levitation and animation buyer’s guide covers how those options compare.

How do you learn to work with it?

Be honest with yourself about difficulty. Elastic is more forgiving than fine plain thread, but it is still thread work, and it still breaks if you rush it. A sensible progression:

1. Start with pre-made loops. Loops New Generation includes eight loops, a protective Loops Saver and a 20-minute video teaching four effects, so you are learning from a routine, not from a bare spool.
2. Float light things first. A paper bill or a ring before anything heavier.
3. Move slowly. Let the stretch do its job. Smooth, small movements look more magical than big ones.
4. Rehearse in real light. Check your effect in the room and lighting you will perform in, and film it from the audience’s angle.
5. Graduate to bare thread. Once loops feel natural, a spool like Mesika Elastics lets you make your own lengths, and finer threads like Virtuoso open up harder conditions.

Which products help?

• Loops New Generation by Yigal Mesika: eight loops with the patented Loops Saver and a video teaching Mesika Haunted Deck, Animated Fork, Spinning Fork and Floating Bill. The easiest starting point.
• Mesika Elastics by Yigal Mesika: one 100-foot fibre of matte black invisible elastic thread in a dispenser, for making your own lengths once you know what you need.
• Vectra Virtuoso by Steve Fearson: an expert-grade invisible thread with a precise amount of elasticity. The maker says it is the most delicate in the Vectra range and suggests newcomers may find the original Vectra Line easier, so treat this as a next step, not a first buy.

What are the common mistakes?

• Buying workshop elastic for a float. Clear gimmick-building thread and invisible elastic thread do different jobs. Read the description, not just the word “elastic”.
• Stretching to the limit. Just because a thread can stretch a long way does not mean it should during a performance. Working well inside its range keeps the motion smooth and the thread intact.
• Trusting the finish over the lighting. A matte finish helps, but backlighting and plain backgrounds still give thread away. Our post on invisible thread mistakes covers lighting in detail.
• Expecting loops to do everything. Short elastic hook-ups are brilliant for close-up animation and limited for long-distance effects. Pick the tool for the effect.
• Performing without spares. Every thread has a breaking point. Carry backups to every show.

Frequently asked questions