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

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Reply to
Tia Mary
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Reply to
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.

Reply to
F.James Cripwell

"Ruby" 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

Reply to
Dawne Peterson

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

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Reply to
Tia Mary

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

Reply to
mirjam

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

Reply to
MargW

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

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nothing changes, nothing changes.Don't back stitch to email, just stitchit.

Reply to
Fred

Reply to
Donna D.

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

Reply to
Cheryl Isaak

Dawn,

We produce kits and not often do we get a call or email regarding a shortage. But it does happen. We try to allow extra for the differences in workmanship but alas we don't always get it right.

A simple phone call or email telling us what kit you are working on and what colors are short and we will have threads in the mail to you same day or next.

Our kits have DMC pre-sorted threads on numbered cards. We do however kit all our designs with Aida, so if you are one that prefers the linens or evenweaves, then it just doesn't pay you to buy a kit to have to replace the fabric.

Kits are mainly for those stitchers that don't have a STASH yet. Some of us are way beyond that (big grins)

Dyan

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Reply to
kustomkrafts

In your haste to advertise you had the credits completely wrong, Dawn(e) did not say she avoided kits.

Reply to
lucretiaborgia

I did a Disney kit once, with Winnie the Pooh, and they were so generous with the floss that I could have done it twice! :-) Liz from Humbug

Reply to
Liz from Humbug

snipped-for-privacy@fl.it wrote: > In your haste to advertise you had the credits completely wrong,

It's curmudgeons like you that make it difficult to have a fun conversation. It's curmudgeons like you that have chased away so many designers and authors of needlework through the years. You're unrelenting. I hope Dyan keeps it up in spite of your hatefulness.

Dianne

Reply to
Dianne Lewandowski

I have tons of stash. I however fell in love with the chart and didn't find the Heaven and Earth designs its based on.I wish companies offered different fabrics it would be great. I sell the fabric to help with the cost of the kit. My kit is the first one in a long time since I usually replace everything. Sometimes you fall for a chart you can't get any other way. Donna

Kits are mainly for those stitchers that don't have a STASH yet. Some of us are way beyond that (big grins)

Dyan

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Reply to
Donna D.

I really fail to see how you can overlook the fact that she bobs up here solely for her own benefit. I understood that rctmarketplace is the group for advertising ones wares, and that came about because rctn did not want ads.

Usenet is one of the few places nowadays where one can read and NOT be hit by advertising, long may it be so.

I can't say I cared for MLI, she was another who was totally self-centred, just showed up when she had a new chart on the go but I don't believe I said a word at the time, didn't have to, plenty of others did.

So, go on Dianne, tell me which designers and authors of needlework I have chased away. Your imagination is working overtime, or are you just feeling spiteful tonight ? I won't say I have always made nice posts, but chasing designers away ? Give me proof, an old post, something you recall that I posted - because I am very certain you can't.

Reply to
lucretiaborgia

I didn't single you out. I used the term curmudgeon to signify anyone who has chased away designers, authors, needlework stores. Read our by-laws. They specifically allow this type of thing. All your sneering does is make people uncomfortable. You've made your point. You don't care for it. But it's not disallowed as long as it's helpful to stitchers. We're tolerant here at RCTN in order to have a rapport with those who brings us wonderful things.

The mystery writer has been chased out and denigrated (though I think she's posting again), and any number of others who have livened our newsgroup through the years.

You do not speak for the group as a whole. Stop demanding that you be the spokesperson who sets the rules. You aren't. You don't.

Dianne

Reply to
Dianne Lewandowski

Dawn,

We produce kits and not often do we get a call or email regarding a shortage. But it does happen. We try to allow extra for the differences in workmanship but alas we don't always get it right.

A simple phone call or email telling us what kit you are working on and what colors are short and we will have threads in the mail to you same day or next.

Our kits have DMC pre-sorted threads on numbered cards. We do however kit all our designs with Aida, so if you are one that prefers the linens or evenweaves, then it just doesn't pay you to buy a kit to have to replace the fabric.

Kits are mainly for those stitchers that don't have a STASH yet. Some of us are way beyond that (big grins)

Dyan I have stitched for years and have lots of stash, but I am not way beyond kits....Sometimes I buy them for the convenience of having everything together, sometimes to avoid having to buy skein after skein of specialty threads when I only need a bit , sometimes because that is the only way the design comes and sometimes just because I like the design. It wasn't me that said I avoided kits, it was Ruby. And my name is Dawne. You spell your name in an unconventional way, so do I.

Dawne

Reply to
Dawne Peterson

"Donna D." wrote

Unless the kit had very good fabric, or lots of specialty threads, I agree with you!

Dawne

Reply to
Dawne Peterson

kustomkrafts wrote: > .......

First off, I am leaving Dyans BUSINESS SITE link in just to piss off Sheena because I'm in an ornery mood and didn't really think Dyan was

*advertising* per se. None of that "HI, I'm Dyan come to my site and buy my stuff" crap that IS advertising. That being said (and it should be worth a bit of a flare up since things have been far to quiet here of late)....... Au Contraire Dyan, my dear :-). I have at least 3 skeins of all the DMC floss colors, almost all of the Rainbow Gallery silks, other silks and metallics galore, beads, books, ribbons and a vast array of needlework fabrics -- enough stash to choke the proverbial horse. I probably have more stash than some LNS have stock (just ask Janet, my stitchin' buddy) and I *still* buy kits. I certainly don't need to buy kits but will if the price is really good or if that's the only way I can get the chart. Once I have purchased the whole kit, I'd just as soon use the fabric & fibers that came with the chart I wanted! Of course, if the chart has a bunch of partial stitches and still came with aida, then I will likely swap it out for an even weave. If I plan to stitch the chart with cotton, then I will go ahead and use the included floss. If I decide I want to do the design in silks or some other specialty fiber, then I make the changes and probably also switch to even weave. Bottom line, I have more stash than the average bear :-))))). Also, I still find the actual process of stitching more enjoyable than the materials I stitch with. And I have stitched with just about every fiber and fabric imaginable since I have done my fair share of model stitching, be it cross stitch, counted work, needlepoint, etc. VBS -- then again, no one would accuse MOI of being too sane!! 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

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Reply to
Tia Mary

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