Needlework Tips

It's been a long time since I remember having a round of postings
dealing with different needlework tips & hints. Since things seem to be
so slow, I thought this might be a good topic, especially for any
newbies out there or those of us who just forget stuff. I'll go first
since seeing the posts about running out of thread brought one to mind.
This deals with having to use two different brands of "same color"
floss (like running out of floss in a kit and having to start using DMC)
or having different dye lots, especially hand dyed fibers. It's also
only practical when you are working with 2 or more strands. As soon as
you realize that you will need to start using a different floss that
just doesn't quite match, start stitching with one strand of the new
stuff and one or more strands of the old stuff. Gradually increase the
number strands of new stuff and fewer strands of the old stuff until you
are stitching with just the new stuff. The color difference is so
slight this way that it's hidden. This is an especially effective
technique when working with 3 or more strands.

PAX, Tia Mary ^;;^ (RCTQ Queen of Kitties)
Angels can't show their wings on earth but nothing was ever said about
their whiskers!
Visit my Photo albums at http://community.webshots.com/user/tiamary

Tia Mary wrote:
It's been a long time since I remember having a round of postings
dealing with different needlework tips & hints. Since things seem to
be so slow, I thought this might be a good topic, especially for any
newbies out there or those of us who just forget stuff. I'll go first
since seeing the posts about running out of thread brought one to mind.
This deals with having to use two different brands of "same color"
floss (like running out of floss in a kit and having to start using
DMC) or having different dye lots, especially hand dyed fibers. It's
also only practical when you are working with 2 or more strands. As
soon as you realize that you will need to start using a different
floss that just doesn't quite match, start stitching with one strand
of the new stuff and one or more strands of the old stuff. Gradually
increase the number strands of new stuff and fewer strands of the old
stuff until you are stitching with just the new stuff. The color
difference is so slight this way that it's hidden. This is an
especially effective technique when working with 3 or more strands.

PAX, Tia Mary ^;;^ (RCTQ Queen of Kitties)
Angels can't show their wings on earth but nothing was ever said about
their whiskers!
Visit my Photo albums at http://community.webshots.com/user/tiamary
My tip is to avoid kits like the flu. I used to think it was me, that I
was just a wasteful stitcher. Just never even look at them for years now.

Tip If there is a pattern in kit form only that you just have to
stitch, before you start, substitute all cotton floss colours for a
brand like DMC, matching colours as close as you can. Saves a lot of
headaches down the road.
ruby

I will join in Mary. How to do a loop start with and odd (as opposed to
even) number of threads; e.g. 3. Some people ask, why bother?

Use a normal length of floss, and double it to form the loop as per usual.
Cut a third thread slightly longer than the looped thread. Thread the
needle unevenly, so that the third thread extends beyond the loop. Do the
usual first leg of the loop start with all three threads. Unthread the
needle, go to the back of the work, and thread the third piece of floss so
that it is anchored properly. Do not cut it. Go back to the front of
the work, and carefully pull the third thread so that it is just securely
anchored at the back. Re-thread the needle and carry on sewing.

I have lots of other tips. Let us see how this progresses. Jim.

"Ruby" wrote
My tip is to avoid kits like the flu. I used to think it was me, that I
was just a wasteful stitcher. Just never even look at them for years now.

Tip If there is a pattern in kit form only that you just have to stitch,
before you start, substitute all cotton floss colours for a brand like
DMC, matching colours as close as you can. Saves a lot of headaches down
the road.

I have been very happy with the quality of some kits--Textile Heritage is
one, always enough material, and nice extras, like ribbon to finish the back
of a bookmark. I bought several of the "Witches" kits, complete with frame,
from Monsterbubbles, and had no difficulty with either quantity or quality
of materials. DMC Signature kits have also been very good. Has anyone else
met up with good ones....or bad ones???

Dawne

Dawne Peterson wrote:
I have been very happy with the quality of some kits--Textile Heritage is
one, always enough material, and nice extras, like ribbon to finish the back
of a bookmark. I bought several of the "Witches" kits, complete with frame,
from Monsterbubbles, and had no difficulty with either quantity or quality
of materials. DMC Signature kits have also been very good. Has anyone else
met up with good ones....or bad ones???

Dawne

I don't mind doing kits and can't remember the last time I ran out
of thread. There are times when I'm down to my last length of fiber but
I manage to eke out the necessary stitches. I've done cheap kits and
expensive kits and not had problems. Like others, I often have leftover
thread. I like to tape it the directions and keep it all together so
that if someone wants to have the chart, they have samples of the floss
that was originally used. The few times that I have run out of fiber, I
have e-mailed or phoned the company and had no problem getting
additional floss. CiaoMeow ^;;^

PAX, Tia Mary ^;;^ (RCTQ Queen of Kitties)
Angels can't show their wings on earth but nothing was ever said about
their whiskers!
Visit my Photo albums at http://community.webshots.com/user/tiamary

If your intended work is something that will need to be washed from
time to time ,
snip a piece off every colored thread , wet well and dry on a white
piece of toilet paper , this way you can avoid threads that Leak the
color ..
mirjam

Dawne Peterson wrote:
"Ruby" wrote
My tip is to avoid kits like the flu. I used to think it was me, that I
was just a wasteful stitcher. Just never even look at them for years now.

Tip If there is a pattern in kit form only that you just have to stitch,
before you start, substitute all cotton floss colours for a brand like
DMC, matching colours as close as you can. Saves a lot of headaches down
the road.

I have been very happy with the quality of some kits--Textile Heritage is
one, always enough material, and nice extras, like ribbon to finish the back
of a bookmark. I bought several of the "Witches" kits, complete with frame,
from Monsterbubbles, and had no difficulty with either quantity or quality
of materials. DMC Signature kits have also been very good. Has anyone else
met up with good ones....or bad ones???

Dawne




I love Shepherd's Bush kits, but find they can be a little skimpy on the
floss - especially silk. I did several shop models of SB pieces, and
had to be very, very careful not to waste anything. If I had to frog a
section, it usually meant running out of floss. At least one piece I
ended up using some of my own silk floss - luckily I was able to match
the colour (navy blue). That said, the SB kits have very good
instructions, stitch diagrams, nice fabric and delightful charms. Some
kits come with the mats as well.

MargW

"Tia Mary" wrote in message
...
It's been a long time since I remember having a round of postings
dealing with different needlework tips & hints. Since things seem to
be...

Here is a copy of one of my old news letters;

Feathering Floss;

Those of you who cross stitch have an idea of what I'm about to talk about.
You know that wee tiny task that seems to take forever, separating the six
strands of DMC or Anchor floss into onesie twosies. Yes you can blow on the
end, flick it with your finger or stick the end of the floss down the throat
of one of those little hand held car vacuums. Pain, pain, pain.

Well happy Stitch Away Fabric Mount owners all that turmoil is about to end.
Next time you are in a discount store purchase some small Velcro tabs. Buy
the ones that have the little hooks on them. I got the ½" diameter stick-on
type. Find a handy spot on your Stitch Away Fabric Mount, I picked a spot on
the upper surface near the top and about center of the fabric mount. Take
off the sticky backing and put your little Velcro tab with the little hooks
on the
spot that you have chosen.

Cut your floss to the lengths you normally like to work with. Pick the color
you want to use. Take one end and place this end on top of the Velcro Tab so
approximately 2" hangs over the Velcro tab. Place your finger or thumb on
top of the thread and hold it down on top of the Velcro tab. Now with the
other hand pull the thread out from under your finger.

PRESTO! As the 2" end of the thread is pulled out from under your finger
the little hooks of the Velcro tab combs the thread and separates the
strands
for you. Just think no more huffing and puffing.

Fred
http://www.stitchaway.com
If nothing changes, nothing changes.
Don't back stitch to email, just stitchit.

But like I posted before my kit retails at 38.00. I replaced the material
and I did not want to replace 60 skeins of floss. Kits at that price should
have extra.
Donna
"Ruby" wrote in message
...

My tip is to avoid kits like the flu. I used to think it was me, that I
was just a wasteful stitcher. Just never even look at them for years now.

Tip If there is a pattern in kit form only that you just have to stitch,
before you start, substitute all cotton floss colours for a brand like
DMC, matching colours as close as you can. Saves a lot of headaches down
the road.
ruby

On 10/16/09 2:01 PM, in article
tel, "Dawne Peterson"
wrote:


"Ruby" wrote
My tip is to avoid kits like the flu. I used to think it was me, that I
was just a wasteful stitcher. Just never even look at them for years now.

Tip If there is a pattern in kit form only that you just have to stitch,
before you start, substitute all cotton floss colours for a brand like
DMC, matching colours as close as you can. Saves a lot of headaches down
the road.

I have been very happy with the quality of some kits--Textile Heritage is
one, always enough material, and nice extras, like ribbon to finish the back
of a bookmark. I bought several of the "Witches" kits, complete with frame,
from Monsterbubbles, and had no difficulty with either quantity or quality
of materials. DMC Signature kits have also been very good. Has anyone else
met up with good ones....or bad ones???

Dawne



I've had problems with one or two Janlynn kits, but not as a regular thing.
Some of the "learn to stitch" kits, tend to be floss short - but since I was
using them to teach kids, that could have been the issue


Cheryl