Needlework Tips

Posted by Tia Mary on October 16, 2009, 7:56 am

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.

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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

Posted by Ruby on October 16, 2009, 9:11 am

Tia Mary wrote:
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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

Posted by F.James Cripwell on October 16, 2009, 9:47 am

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.

Posted by Dawne Peterson on October 16, 2009, 2:01 pm

"Ruby" wrote
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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

Posted by Tia Mary on October 16, 2009, 3:47 pm

Dawne Peterson wrote:
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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
show/hide quoted text

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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

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