Finishing Bellpulls, Stockings, etc.

Hi Guys,
OK -- for those who haven't been followiong the "Showing my ignorance"
thread, I have a question. Dianne and I have gotten around to discussing
which finishing techniques need a bit more explaination. There are loads of
places where you can get info on how to do your own framing but not much for
the "soft" finishing techniques. Stuff like that takes up a lot of space and
there are soooo many stitchers who, for one reason or another, don't want to
attempt to soft finish their needlework. I am talking things like pillows,
Christmas stockings, bellpulls, totebags, wall hangings, figures, etc.
If you are one of those who would like to be able to do these things but
don't really know how, *which* of the "soft" finish techniques would you like
to see described? Bell pulls and wall hangings are done about the same so
those could be put into one category. Christmas stockings and tote bags --
while being quite differently shaped -- are also done pretty much in the same
manner. Pillows and stuffed figures are also similar in technique -- at last a
lot of the time.
I know there are a bunch of you who would like to finish your own stuff but
feel you can't sew. Trust me -- if you can do the needlework, you can sew the
piece into whatever you want it to be. You don't need a sewing machine. True,
doing it by hand will take longer but, probably with the exception of the
pillow or the stuffed figure, hand finishing would be very bit as effective as
doing it on a machine! Pillows & the figures can be done by hand too, you just
need to be sure to get your stitches tight enough that the piece can handle the
stuffing.
Anyway, Dianne has asked that I write up directions for finishing a bellpull
as a "soft" piece. If there is sufficient response over time we might do
something else. If there is to be a second "How to Soft Finish a ????" what
would everyone like to see directions for? CiaoMeow ^;;^
..
PAX, Tia Mary ^;;^
Angels can't show their wings on earth but nothing was ever said about their
WHISKERS!!
Nothing is complete without a few cat hairs!

I have been sewing for about 20 years (basic clothing) but I still have
trouble getting cross stitched stockings to come out right around the top
edge (getting the lining to fit right and putting it together so when it is
turned everything is going the right direction). Also, I've never even
attempted to add cording.

I would be very interested in some help in this area.

--
Bonnie

WIPs:
EGA's English Band Sampler ICC
Stitch-n-Zip Patchwork Checkbook Cover
Knitted Cardigan
Knitted Amish Throw


"Tia Mary-remove nekoluvr to reply " wrote in
message ...
Hi Guys,
OK -- for those who haven't been followiong the "Showing my ignorance"
thread, I have a question. Dianne and I have gotten around to discussing
which finishing techniques need a bit more explaination. .....*which* of
the "soft" finish techniques would you like
to see described?

From: "Bonnie"

I have been sewing for about 20 years (basic clothing) but I still have
trouble getting cross stitched stockings to come out right around the top
edge (getting the lining to fit right and putting it together so when it is
turned everything is going the right direction). Also, I've never even
attempted to add cording.

OK -- I have directions already written for the stocking that was on the
cover of Stitcher's World a year or two ago. I can e-mail those to anyone who
would like them. Actually, that would be helpful to MOI -- whoever gets the
directions can look them over and see if they make sense. Let me know if I
have not explained something well enough to be understandable.
So -- If any of you want to get the directions for finishing a Christmas
stocking WITH cording, E-MAIL ME!!! You can post here but it's a royal
P.I.T.A. for me to go back and forth getting addies put together. What I would
do is send out one e-mail to whomever asks for it. I don't want to post here
because the driections are close to a full page long.
When I wrote the directions, I made detailes notes while I was putting the
stocking together. You would be surprised how many little, seemingly
insignificant steps get overlooked and not mentioned! It took me almost as
long to write the silly directions as it did to actually sew the stocking
together -- LOL!! CiaoMeow ^;;^
..
PAX, Tia Mary ^;;^
Angels can't show their wings on earth but nothing was ever said about their
WHISKERS!!
Nothing is complete without a few cat hairs!

Wall hangings and cushions, particularly where the stitching will only
be part of the finished article. In other words I have pieces of
stitching that are not good enough to be framed or do not have
sufficient material on the design to be ramed (all mistakes that are
pre rctn I have learned to ask before stitching now !!!!)

Emer

Hi Tia Mary

You were kind enough to send me the directions last year. I found them
straight forward and useful in finishing my children's two stockings. I
don't remember any point that I wondered what you intended for the next
step or that there was a missing step. I hadn't used a sewing machine
prior to putting together the stockings, so I practiced with the machine
with some muslin just to get the feel of it before I jumped in and did it.

Your directions are excellent. The hardest part was to get the courage
to take and cut that which I had been working on soooo long.
Thank you once again.
John

Tia Mary-remove nekoluvr to reply wrote:

From: "Bonnie"





I have been sewing for about 20 years (basic clothing) but I still have
trouble getting cross stitched stockings to come out right around the top
edge (getting the lining to fit right and putting it together so when it is
turned everything is going the right direction). Also, I've never even
attempted to add cording.



OK -- I have directions already written for the stocking that was on the
cover of Stitcher's World a year or two ago. I can e-mail those to anyone who
would like them. Actually, that would be helpful to MOI -- whoever gets the
directions can look them over and see if they make sense. Let me know if I
have not explained something well enough to be understandable.
So -- If any of you want to get the directions for finishing a Christmas
stocking WITH cording, E-MAIL ME!!! You can post here but it's a royal
P.I.T.A. for me to go back and forth getting addies put together. What I would
do is send out one e-mail to whomever asks for it. I don't want to post here
because the driections are close to a full page long.
When I wrote the directions, I made detailes notes while I was putting the
stocking together. You would be surprised how many little, seemingly
insignificant steps get overlooked and not mentioned! It took me almost as
long to write the silly directions as it did to actually sew the stocking
together -- LOL!! CiaoMeow ^;;^
.
PAX, Tia Mary ^;;^
Angels can't show their wings on earth but nothing was ever said about their
WHISKERS!!
Nothing is complete without a few cat hairs!

John Quinn wrote:

Hi Tia Mary
I hadn't used a sewing machine
prior to putting together the stockings, so I practiced with the machine
with some muslin just to get the feel of it before I jumped in and did it.

Your directions are excellent. The hardest part was to get the courage
to take and cut that which I had been working on soooo long.
Thank you once again.
John

WHY won't people practise like this? What's in their little heads that
say, "Harumph! I can do this first time around." Then they mess up and
say to themselves, "See? I told you I was stupid!" big grin

I understand the fear of actually cutting embroidered pieces. There
isn't one single time I don't have to spend two days talking myself into
it. After all this time. Because I know if I don't have my head in
gear, it's all down the drain. g

Dianne

Backstitch is the Western way. Backstitch creates (corded) stem stitch
on the reverse side. Backstitch can be cumbersome for some, and hard to
do on fine cloth. Stem stitch is easier, and you can come up in the
same hole without the thread being in your way. Stem stitch is an
Eastern way. It creates a perfect back stitch on the reverse side.

There are at least 3 ways to do stem stitch, and I'm not talking about
the one you're talking about, Elizabeth. grin I'm talking about the
one called corded stem stitch - which goes back into the same hole.
There are no gaps between the stitches.

Thanks Elizabeth. Whichever way you do it, Western or Eastern, it's
quick. Not as tedious as you think.
Dianne

Elizabeth Fusina wrote:


Even easier, Backstitch (which is kind of the backside of stem stitch,
sort of, without worrying about getting the side by side bit of the
stitches right. Backstitch is also good when you want the seam to have a
little give to it, I use it on stretchy knits a lot. Lots more
economical than getting a serger, although it takes a bit longer to
stitch the seam.

Elizabeth

From: John Quinn

You were kind enough to send me the directions last year. I found them
straight forward and useful in finishing my children's two stockings. I
don't remember any point that I wondered what you intended for the next
step or that there was a missing step. I hadn't used a sewing machine
prior to putting together the stockings, so I practiced with the machine
with some muslin just to get the feel of it before I jumped in and did it.

Your directions are excellent. The hardest part was to get the courage
to take and cut that which I had been working on soooo long.
Thank you once again.

And thanks to you for letting me know that you could understand the
directions :-))). This is HIGH PRAISE indeed, from someone who had no previous
experience with a sewing machine!
I must also say that you did a VERY smart thing by practising on some muslin
before tackling the actual project. It does help to take some of the
aprehension away! Cutting on somethng you have worked so hard on is usually
frightening. Once I satrted making wedding gowns, I got over it really
quickly. I routinely have to cut up $150.00 a yard fabric!!! Now THAT can
give you cold chills -- LOL! CiaoMeow ^;;^
..

PAX, Tia Mary ^;;^
Angels can't show their wings on earth but nothing was ever said about their
WHISKERS!!
Nothing is complete without a few cat hairs!

Group: rec.crafts.textiles.needlework Date: Tue, Sep 9, 2003, 12:37am
(MDT+6) From: ekoluvr
(Tia=A0Mary-remove=A0nekoluvr=A0to=A0reply)

Hi Guys,

=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0OK -- for those who haven't been
followiong the "Showing my ignorance
thread, I have a question. =A0 Dianne and I have
gotten around to discussing which finishing
techniques need a bit more explaination.

snip
=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0If you are one of those who would like to
be able to do these things but don't really
know how, *which* of the "soft" finish
techniques would you like to see described?

When one of you has time to post it, I'd like to see the instructions
for a 'tuck away' pillow again. I know someone posted that not too long
ago, but I couldn't get my mind around it at the time. I'd like to have
it again, and I promise I'll print it this time, for keeps.




chris c
Junk is something you've kept for years and throw away three weeks
before you need it. ~~ Anon

Dianne Lewandowski wrote:

Backstitch is the Western way. Backstitch creates (corded) stem stitch
on the reverse side. Backstitch can be cumbersome for some, and hard to
do on fine cloth. Stem stitch is easier, and you can come up in the
same hole without the thread being in your way. Stem stitch is an
Eastern way. It creates a perfect back stitch on the reverse side.

There are at least 3 ways to do stem stitch, and I'm not talking about
the one you're talking about, Elizabeth. grin I'm talking about the
one called corded stem stitch - which goes back into the same hole.
There are no gaps between the stitches.

Thanks Elizabeth. Whichever way you do it, Western or Eastern, it's
quick. Not as tedious as you think.

Hmm. I didn't know that. My Mom taught me to embroider when I was seven,
and it drove me crazy because I wanted it to be perfect, and embroidery
(not the counted sort) is very--umm--free? I think that would be the
word. I discovered CCS, and fell in love, because it was very
precise-and the holes where the needle went through were very clear.
Then I discovered pulled work, and drawn work, and counted thread
embroidery, and I am slowly being sucked into freestyle embroidery
again. Full circle sort of thing. But part of it is just that I love to
play with fabric and thread, and apparently have a talent for it beyond
the norm-or so friends and family members have said.

Elizabeth