Threads

So how many thread types do you regularly use?  Just like my panties, I'm a cotton gal.  I like using DMC and Sullivan floss, it's cheap, it's matte, it's not elegant, it can be tweaked with dye, even Wal-mart carries it, and it burns easily without guilt. Gentle Art Sampler Thread is my second choice but since I use the sewing method for stitching, the variation is hardly noticeable.  What about all the others?  No clue. I've been stitching for 40 years (with a very long break) but don't really know a lot about the materials used.  Color and feel are all I really care about but sometimes I get a bug to learn a little more.  Is it useful?  For me, probably not.  Simple samplers done with simple threads and coarse linen makes it pretty simple.  For detailed and intricate projects taking a great amount of time and skill, maybe knowing a little more about my supplies would make a difference in choice.  If that ever comes, I'll be ready.

I have a messy box with odd threads.  Most of them were given away.  I kept some that I may use one day like the flower thread, skeins of over dyed reds for Santas, wools, but I'm clueless about others.

 

What are Wildflowers, Waterlilies, and Watercolours used for?   I found the answers in descriptions on 123Stitch, and still have no use for them. If anyone would like this little batch, let me know.  Happy to send them to a good home.  

Has your thread ever bled when aging/staining a piece?  I was told at the quilt store that Sullivan (and Valdani) are colorfast and DMC is not.  And that Sullivan is long staple and DMC is not.  Well DMC's website states that it is long staple, as well as being colorfast. The next time I visit that shop I will ask them to check DMC's site and explain why he told me otherwise.  My DMC shreds easily when removing stitches but the Sullivan thread doesn't.  Regarding the long/short staple, a video explaining the difference is here and a text explanation is here.  Superior Threads has many video clips on all sorts of threads that are very interesting and informative here.  I think they relate more to quilting and hand sewing, but still interesting.

 

 These are some other cotton overdyed, described by various online shops ~ 

Weeks Dye Works -  sold in 5 yard skeins. The colors are variegated enough to be noticeable, yet subtle enough to blend naturally, $2.20

Valdani - 6-Stranded skein in hand-overdyes and hand-dyed solid colors, colorfast. Solid colors and subdued variegates, eleven yards per skein (twice as much!), $3.00.

Crescent Colours - a hand dyed floss that begins with cotton DMC six strand floss and gentle fabric dyes designed specifically for cotton, 5 yard skein, $2.20. 

Gentle Art Sampler Threads - six strand hand overdyed cotton floss, 5 yards, $2.00.

ThreadworX - hand dyed, 6 strand, 20 yard skeins (TWENTY!), $3.90.

 

Many stitchers prefer silk for their projects, some are reasonable, some very pricey.  Is there a difference justifying the price?  Probably. I had a giveaway for the whole batch of YLI that I got from a friend but still have a small amount of various silks.  I used them briefly and wasn't happy but guess what - I don't remember why.

Some of the more popular ~

NPI floss - Needlepoint Inc. Silk is reeled, not spun, making the filaments longer and of higher quality, 5 meters, 8 ply, around $3.50.

Gloriana - This spun silk has silk's beauty, luster, and shine but doesn't catch on your hands. Gloriana Silk is soft and remarkably easy to use. 12 strand silk, 6 yard skein, around $7.50.

Soie D'Alger (Au Ver A Soie) silk. 100% silk made in France. Easily separated, moderate lustre. Dry clean only, 5.5 yards per mini skein. 7 strand, about $4.00.

Belle Soie (Crescent Colours) 12-stranded spun silk packaged in 5-yard skeins, $7.50.

 

A site that gives information on other less commonly heard of silks is Thread Needle Street.  If you're interested in the difference between reeled and spun silk, you can read a little more about it at Silkewerk, or Treenway Silks.  Mary Corbett's Needle 'n Thread has very good information for working with silk and her article has Needlepoint Inc. listed as spun but their site states reeled.  After reading this, I don't think I would be interested in using the reeled or filament silk, even if you offered me 10# of chocolate to do so.  And once again I can't say enough about Mary's website.  Unbelievable amount of information on anything related to stitching - the Tips & Techniques listing is a long one and well worth reading, and the instructional videos are the best.

What about strands?  Is a strand the same as a ply?  I found several confusing answers.  Some descriptions state "2-ply strands" and from that I assume that several plies twist together to form a strand.  DMC has 6 strands that we separate, but I think each strand is 2 ply.  NPI is listed as 8 ply, but there are 8 strands to separate, not 8 twisting filaments to form one strand.  You probably know this and I don't think it really matters.  Valdani's floss description uses both "6-ply" and also "6 stranded" for the same product and others interchange the terms too.  Why did I even bring it up?

 

 

Well, this was pretty long and boring wasn't it?  I hope I have everything right - I was getting dizzy going from site to site for information.  But I did learn quite a bit about thread quality and terminology from those sites I mentioned.  Will I remember it all?  Hell no.  That's why I do these posts!  I can always go back to the post and links for reference.  Did you know that you can search a blog by entering a subject in the top left box?  Took me a while to find that out.  I want to talk about storage options for specialty threads but I can't hold my head in this position any longer.  It took several sessions to get the entire post typed sooooooo ..... storage in the next post!

 

 

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Starting with linen

Hiya.  It's raining.  And cold.  Just a quick post on learning to stitch on linen over two threads.  In the last few weeks I had several comments and emails about difficulties with this.  This may not help anyone, but it's how I managed in the beginning and still look at my fabric today.  My first linens were 25 count and I kept literally counting two threads for the "over two" method and getting really frustrated.  One day, I just happened to view the fabric differently and it helped.  I saw a cube.  A little four sided square hole and realized that I couldn't poke it.  Just go to the corners and leave the hole alone.  Does this make sense?  Not sure if I'm explaining it properly but I see a hole instead of threads.  Kind of like this.  Maybe it's just my wonky brain and this won't help anyone, but it certainly did for me.  Thought I would share my cubicles.

 

 

Have a great day!

 

 

 

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Hoping I won't need a match

Greetings all.  Hope everyone is enjoying the second day of the last month of summer.  I can't believe how fast it has flown by. 

My neck has been pulling terribly when I look down to stitch so not much accomplished for a few days.  Today I put the smaller brace on and had another round of sclerotherapy, which because of a new med solution, burns like hell.  So I sat outside for a while with my Magma on my lap, 

 and beneath it was not a pretty site.  One with a brace, the other with the waist high compression stocking and a fiery leg inside.  This is the first time I was hurt on commercial property and after a week, Sears still has not returned my calls or contacted me.  The doctor today told me to contact a lawyer which I've never done before, but may have no other option.  The swelling has reduced but one spot is horrible pain with certain movements and I cannot use that leg for stairs or getting up.  In other words, I need to remember to use mom's handicap bath or I will sit there for hours.  I'm afraid there will be some surgery from this.  It could always be worse and others have much more to deal with. 

 

 This design was very quick but took longer because of the linen playing with my eyes and all the errors.  I also made changes to the chart - increased the amount of stitches in the top flower, extended the stems to fit my project, changed direction of one leaf to match the other side, and changed the center leaves.  I used 632 and 3064 for the flowers. 

Here it is finished.  Well almost.  I need to choose a color for the stamens which will make it fit the purse better.  I did find several in khaki but the newer ones have flimsy lining that's stretched so much the weave is opening. 

My method of checking placement is always to hold items up to a light.  This would have been much better if it was actually the 15 stitch/inch but it will be fine.  If it doesn't end in flames.  Now I need to decide how to trim and attach to the purse.   I had planned on hand sewing it directly under the frame, but there is a stiff support there and no way for a needle to penetrate.  Trimming in chenille would make it easier, but I may just glue the linen right to the edge.

 

While I was stitching, I happened to snap a few of Bud making faces and skinny Squeak taking a nap. That's Bud in the box behind him.

Nothing new on the kitchen since Dominic is taking another (total of 3 weeks) delay in the other cabinets.  I can't get the counters measured until I have those and he has promised that he will call next week.  Ed.....oh Ed.  Months I've been waiting and I will have to start calling others, that are just as busy, not wanting small jobs, and will show up probably later than you will.

 

I apologize for not catching up on blog reading, commenting, and replying.  That slightly forward head bend to view the screen  - AUGH!!!!!!!!!!!  The last time I tried replies, I was again surprised that more than half are now no-reply.  I'm beginning to feel left out.  I have a $7 a month emergency cell phone, don't text, tweet, or Facebook.  How much more left out could I feel?  Can't help it.  I love the new technology but don't want it taking over my young and impressionable mind. .......

Did I hear someone choke on their coffee?

 

Thanks for visiting!

Have a safe and wonderful weekend.

 

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Changing directions

Good morning.  It's raining.  And chilly.  Except for very few warm days, this summer has been more like spring.  We may reach a record low tonight in the 40's.  Sweatshirts in July!

I adjusted Eszter's sampler and then decided to do the floral.  I may end up burning it if the finishing frustrates me and I would much rather set flame to a floral than a sampler.   The linen -what a bitch.  Very little of the design was completed and I had to remove it THREE times.  I really wish all my old pieces were clearly marked for count and color but they aren't.  The warp and weft on this large piece are two very different thicknesses in some spots and that's screwing with my eyes.  But the big pain is the count.  I need 30 or 32 for the design to fit properly and this looked like 32 so I tested on the edge.

Sixteen stitches for 32 count and it was 15 to the inch.  Good.  For the test, I didn't pay attention to the linen direction but when I cut the piece and started stitching, I did.  The selvage on the left.  Why was it looking short?  This is why.

Stitching the proper way was 17 stitches to the inch, not what I had planned or expected.  Big difference between 34? and 30 count when a certain size is needed.  The test area did not have any thick threads pushing the count so I thought it would be more accurate.  After realizing the problem, I went to an area of even threads and tested in my stitching direction, still 17.  I'm not starting over....or am I?  I could add stitches to the stems to extend the design and since this is a prototype for a finish, I think that's what I will do.  It shouldn't look out of proportion but I won't know for sure until I remove all the flowers and start the stems again.  Might be quicker to start over?  Either way, I'm not having fun.

Thank you for the well wishes on my fat knees.  The left is improving, the right much better.  Today I put on my waist high 40 compression stocking because my leg, ankle and foot were swelling terribly.  I had to put a piece of muslin beneath the brace so the velcro doesn't snag the stocking.  Never had knee problems so this all of a sudden gotcha buckling is a real shock. 

The sun was shining yesterday between the rain and I got a snap of the Squeak and Budman.  I'm getting to the point where I can stroke his back so by fall, I will probably be able to grab him.  Much prefer having him enter the carrier for food than trying to get him into it.  Either way, snip snip Squeaker.  Look at that belly on Bud.  When I see Missy, Nit, or Squeak coming, I put food out for them and Bud always intervenes and takes it, so I have to have a little dish for him.  I think I will try to get him into the house when they are eating but he's pretty strong and ornery too.

My sister stopped over and looked at my cupboards.  She looked puzzled and I knew what was coming next.  "Did you sand them and not paint the final coat?  Are these done?  You're not leaving them like this are you?".  Yes O Smart Ass I am.  "I can see why you didn't want to buy new cupboards.  You would have ruined them to look like this?"  This is the same person that asked why I would deliberately stain my stitching and not clean those gourds.  But I thanked her for this...

She follows many Weight Watcher recipes.  Her treat is one slice of bread (torn), 1/2 cup fat free milk, 1 egg, and 1 Tbsp sugar.  She uses that little Stone Wave cooker (she loves it) and in 4 minutes it's done.  I used 8 slices, 2 1/2 cups fat free milk, 5 eggs, 5 Tbsp sugar, 2 drops of vanilla, light sprinkling of cinnamon and one tiny shake of nutmeg in the milk.  Since I make several dishes that need only a hint of pure vanilla, I use an eyedropper.  375 for a half hour in a 7x12 dish.  Fabulous.  See those little sesame seeds?  The bread we use is this..

Wal-mat carries it and yes it is airy and light as all light breads are, but it's good.  And for PB&J and especially the bread pudding, very good.  So if you're a bread lover like me (I don't like the sour wheats) and crave the pudding, using this and fat free milk is a blessing when watching calories.  I used to make one with brioche and a quart of cream, but no more.  Don't even have the recipe any longer. 

Have a great start to your week.

Thanks for visiting.

 

 

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Here's what I'm thinking

Good day to you all.   I've decided to not start Sally until all the Velcro straps and loops are no longer part of my lap.  The brace comes mid-thigh and that size of linen would certainly be catching.

 For quite some time these little coin purses have been hanging around my supplies (JoAnn's and most craft stores). The frames can be purchased separately which would probably be the proper way to go, but these are cheap, fully lined, and the wimp's method.  All I have to do is stitch a design, hand sew it to the edges of the black fabric, or use a fusible to attach a small design leaving the black as a margin, or sew the side pouches straight for a square design.  This is the 6" x 5" size and it also came in red, I'm still searching for the khaki. 

 The free sampler from Eszter at sub-rosa ( design is here) is one of my favorite smalls and I think I can adapt it to fit.  I just love her designs and she offers so many really nice free charts.  Click on FREE in the label listing and also view her designs for purchase in the left column.  There is a translation button at the top and you need to email her for information.  For some reason, my computer gives me so much trouble and her pages take forever to load, then crash, then load, and then freeze.  But I persist!

 

I have another older free design from Gentle Arts that would also fit nicely with just a few extra stitches added to the center stem for height.  I would of course, much prefer the sampler and I think I'll sit outside with graph paper and see what I can do.  It would work as is on a higher count linen and sewing the pouch into a square, but we'll see.  I may change my mind and start something else.  My neck is really stiff and sore so stitching may not be very comfortable right now.  I need to stop at Pat Catan's - my local craft store - to see if they can order the khaki for me.  I'm not crazy about the shiny silver metal but even the individual frames are shiny and nice.  They would be easy to spray paint but I doubt it would stay on the clasp once it is opened and closed a few times.  I'll put up with the silver because the rest is assembled, but I'll also try sanding the metal and rubbing on a little paint to dull it.

That's it.  Ready to chew a few more Advil.  They laughed at me in the hospital about not being able to swallow pills. 

 

Squeak is still looking better and Budman is getting way too heavy.  Like his momma.  Instead of making several trips to the freezer for the chocolate and struggling on the stairs, I brought all of them up.  Was that sheer stupidity or what?

 

Enjoy your weekend - stay safe.

Thanks for visiting!

 

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Nothing stops the tears quicker than

making a fool of yourself, and a face plant.   Thanks to all of you that shared your heartbreaking and sometimes uplifting pet stories.  With all the water loss from tears, I expected to drop a pound or two, but those damn frozen Easter chocolates may have replaced the water loss.  It all started when I went into the woods to our private little burial ground to make sure Baby wasn't disturbed by other critters.  And also because I'm a morbid idiot that can't stop crying once I start.  St. Judes' children started it all.  Anyway, on went my ugly green mud boots to the knee to prevent poison ivy and the brier scratches.  Unfortunately, one of them got caught under a downed limb and I went flying, face plant style, into the patch of leaves and ivy.  Except for a large bruise on my shin, I was fine.  Just annoyed at the crows - I swear that caw caw changed to haw haw.  Although my face was smeared with mascara, dirt, and tears, I stupidly walked down to the road crew that was motioning for me to come talk.  They were probably saying "let's see what that wacko wild woman is doing".  I don't have to remind you of the red boot incident and others, and thought I could explain to them about the boots and the face plant, a relatively common occurrence for being in the woods.  What I forgot about and didn't explain, was the fact that when I am painting, I wear my clothes inside out to prevent paint stains.   It was a brief conversation, and on my way back into the house, I reached into my pocket for a clean tissue.  Well guess what?  My pockets weren't there.  My shorts were on inside out with large white lined pockets hanging on the outside, and care instruction tags were flapping from my top.  They love coming down my road.  It gives them something to chuckle about for quite a while.

So move on to the evening and a visit to Sears to check the range we ordered.  My husband is a slow walker and I can outdistance him by a mile in the same amount of time.  I move baby.  My Crocs stuck to the granite floor and face plant #2. 

This time, I replicated an uncoordinated SuperMan move.  Not pretty.  Both my knees hit that granite first and took all the weight with the upper body landing on my shopping bag.  I broke my new Polarized glasses, and never felt pain like that before.  Well, the colonoscopy that I insisted on having without sedation may take the #1 spot.  Three very young good looking men stood there and said "you OK lady?"  Just what you want to see while sprawled on the floor moaning.   My mid back and neck were miserable but no where near the knee pain.  My overprotective husband was scared but eventually, I got up and tried to walk.  It was no SuperMan walk.  I asked if Sears insurance would cover any medical bills or tests IF I decided I needed them.  Well, sorry, no.  Really?  If someone falls on my property I have to pay their medical bills don't I?  Ice ice ice and Advil, but this morning, my knee had three fleshy golf balls and I could put no weight on that leg at all.  ER visit confirmed - yep, that's a lot of swelling!  No breaks, but I need to see an orthopedic for possible tendon or cartilage damage.  I'm hoping the damage is minimal and will not require any surgery.  That would stop the laughing for sure.  I can't help it. I keep laughing about it every time I picture myself airborne between the stoves.  So my leg has an immobilizer brace and I have a cane, chewing Advils.  The doc said it wasn't funny.  I said "you weren't there".  I told you before that I'm weird - I doubt many people laugh about a painful injury. And it does hurt.  Going down the stairs into the basement to retrieve the remaining chocolate is no picnic but worth the suffer.  After the ER we went to McD's for coffee.  Mark opened the door for me and I dropped the cane and assumed the Superman pose.  He cracked up.  It's not that I am forgetting about Baby, but sometimes, laughter is the best medicine. 

 

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p.s. Just got a call from Sears about an injury report so they will take care of it I'm sure.