Greetings buds. The Lion, Harry Tyler's to be specific, is on hold. Although I love the colors of Weeks Dye Work's linens, I have a problem stitching them. My tension is never good, but not as noticeable on a stiffer coarse linen. The heavier threads in the weave don't collapse when I tug a little. A softer linen tends to stretch out when I hold in hand and stitches are pulled in leaving a little space between, collapsing the weave. Normally it's not an issue but light floss on dark linen shows this much more and wasn't covering well.
Barrick's 1848 Sampler was stitched light on dark (32 count Belfast Charcoal) and look how nice their flesh tone stitches are.
So I compared the two and I could see I wasn't going to get good coverage for the large lion area. They are the same count, and look how skimpy the bottom ones look on the WDW Gunmetal.
And now for the real truth. I cut the linen too short. Had no choice but to start over!
But now I know to always use a heavier linen for light floss on darker ground.
But now I know to always use a heavier linen for light floss on darker ground.
But did I stop there? Hell no. I kept looking at Harry's photo and thought the blue should be darker. Should I try to order something online and hope I like it? No. I dipped the Charcoal into a mix of two blues and it's richer, deeper, good. I'm hoping the stitches will fill better and that I cut it correctly. But honestly, I may set it aside and work on a small sampler. Sometimes being sidetracked throws me off-track. Tomorrow will tell.
January is coming to a close quickly! Enjoy what's left.
Thanks for visiting.
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12 comments:
I'm having the same trouble on Weeks linen. My design is much lighter so it will have to do but I really have to be careful not to pull too much. UG!
I never stitched on dark linen only on red for Christmas.
What a pity to cut to short -it happend to me too and then I stitched one over one. So now I count very well so it won't happen again.
Have a great day
Greetings Truus from Holland
Life is never as easy as we think it will be...LOL
Have a great weekend Marly.
I agree whole-heartedly about Weeks linen. I love the colors, but the weave or texture or whatever...hard to get perfect tension and if you know anything about my fair entries and commentary from judges...I have a real problem with that...or am very aware of it now at least.
Your work is gorgeous as always!
I am having the same problem here. I am struggling to finish The Christmas Bird by Brenda Gervais. Wonderful design but the fabric..eek... from a distance it looks great. I may perch this one above door frame when complete. There but not close enough for anyone to notice. I cannot put aside, I must finish what I start. I know I would never pick it up again if I did not. I had an unfinished sweater ( back when I used to knit) for 25 year before I tossed it.
I've had the same problem with the WDW linen. The weave is too loosey-goosey for me. I absolutely love the colors though. What's a girl to do??
Haven't tried Weeks linen so can't speak to coverage. However, your overdyed piece came out a lovely shade! Looks nicely denim-y on my screen and I'm always partial to blues of the denim family. Good luck with it.
Hmmmm... Once, again, when coming to your page, I get the overwhelming feeling of inadequacy...on my part. What??? Tension? Coverage? Heavier linen when stitching light on dark? EEEEEEK!! Then I took a deep breath (actually, a long, deep sip of Chardonnay) and decided that rather than freaking out about all the things no one ever taught me and I never learned about stitching, I would rejoice in realization that this is why the Good Lord must have instilled a love of primitive in me.... (although I am still frightfully ashamed to show anyone the little snippet I just finished stitching...and am too afraid to finish also because of a little issue with interfacing LOL.) Good thing I love you so.... ;o) Smiles & Hugs ~ Robin (PS....I adore your bench idea.... Wish my living room were large enough to accommodate anything in front of the couch other than the Snow Dog.....)
Oh the dark linens are so pretty. I ordered a piece of Chestnut and I could eat it or suck on it like candy it is so lovely. You are an inspiration!
Hi Marley: I am having a problem with my Paper Snowflakes stitch, I do not understand why the designer show a different photo color, annoys me, I have done the same thing cut my fabric too short.
I do like the fabric color you are using, the color turned out beautiful, you did wonderful job readying.
I have a stitching lite to use under on my lap too help me see the holes on dark fabric.
This design is so sweet, I love seeing what you are up to.
Blessings
Catherine
Hi Marley: I am having a problem with my Paper Snowflakes stitch, I do not understand why the designer show a different photo color, annoys me, I have done the same thing cut my fabric too short.
I do like the fabric color you are using, the color turned out beautiful, you did wonderful job readying.
I have a stitching lite to use under on my lap too help me see the holes on dark fabric.
This design is so sweet, I love seeing what you are up to.
Blessings
Catherine
Hi Marley: I am having a problem with my Paper Snowflakes stitch, I do not understand why the designer show a different photo color, annoys me, I have done the same thing cut my fabric too short.
I do like the fabric color you are using, the color turned out beautiful, you did wonderful job readying.
I have a stitching lite to use under on my lap too help me see the holes on dark fabric.
This design is so sweet, I love seeing what you are up to.
Blessings
Catherine
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