Wednesday, March 05, 2008
Tuesday, March 04, 2008
Laying Tools, Part I
I was asked, via e-mail, about keeping fibers from twisting ... using laying tools and railroading. As always, describing something is one thing ... pictures are much easier!!! I thought I'd picture laying tools in today's post -- and then, try to get photos up tomorrow about how I use them. With one of the boyz help, I think I can manage : ) I hope this is helpful, and please consider starting a blog!!!
In March, 2007, I did a post about laying tools pictured on my afghan. And, seriously folks, I use all of them. I like laying tools, I don't usually stitch in-hand. I'm a two handed stitcher & prefer using a q-snap or scroll bar frame. These are my opinions. I'm sure other stitchers have different favorites - likes/dislikes, etc.
Bone Needle better photograph! I tend to grab this most frequently!!! For me, I like the feel of it - and the length. Plus, I've dropped them & they don't break. I bought a few of them at House of Stitches.
Perfect Stitch Laying Tool photograph here. The best feature is the thimbles come in different sizes & it is comfortable. And, you don't have to HOLD it while you stitch. The bad news is that you can poke yourself with it!! I was in a workshop once and one of the students was using a trolley needle. The teacher launched into a great big lecture about trolley needles & poking your eye out!! Yikes. If you use it, don't forget it is on your finger -- ok??
Best Laying Tool (BLT) photograph. I use metal laying tools when I use metallics. Esp b/c I put a groove in one of my wooden laying tools from metallic thread. Advantage is that you can set the tool on a magnet & keeps it from rolling off your work when you flip it over! The point on the BLT is sharp - stiletto sharp. Excellent length, IMO.
Lacis tools scroll down to rosewood stiletto. I have two wooden laying tools. They are great for watercolours, flower thread, perle cotton. I like the grooves in the wood. The disadvantage [again, IMO] is the length. They are just too long. I prefer a shorter laying tool. I like the feel of wood in hand.
LAST, but not least, I have a couple needles from the craft store. I keep a yarn needle and/or a doll needle in the car. They are inexpensive - and I don't worry about them getting lost. I tuck them into a 'in-the-car' project. I suggest giving this a try FIRST, before purchasing a more expensive laying tool.
I have not tried any of the glass laying tools. I don't know if people actually use them or just admire their beauty! I have not tried using a trolly needle - but, it looked kinda heavy and thick. I do own a brass stiletto which has a cap. I don't use it as a laying tool. I use it to open up canvas squares when I'm going to stitch eyelets. Perhaps it would be a good laying tool - I'm not sure. The point is rather sharp!
There are a couple web links, I found, with 'instructions' for laying tool use HERE and railroading HERE
Sheila, I hope this is helpful. I'll put up a 2nd post tomorrow.
In March, 2007, I did a post about laying tools pictured on my afghan. And, seriously folks, I use all of them. I like laying tools, I don't usually stitch in-hand. I'm a two handed stitcher & prefer using a q-snap or scroll bar frame. These are my opinions. I'm sure other stitchers have different favorites - likes/dislikes, etc.
Bone Needle better photograph! I tend to grab this most frequently!!! For me, I like the feel of it - and the length. Plus, I've dropped them & they don't break. I bought a few of them at House of Stitches.
Perfect Stitch Laying Tool photograph here. The best feature is the thimbles come in different sizes & it is comfortable. And, you don't have to HOLD it while you stitch. The bad news is that you can poke yourself with it!! I was in a workshop once and one of the students was using a trolley needle. The teacher launched into a great big lecture about trolley needles & poking your eye out!! Yikes. If you use it, don't forget it is on your finger -- ok??
Best Laying Tool (BLT) photograph. I use metal laying tools when I use metallics. Esp b/c I put a groove in one of my wooden laying tools from metallic thread. Advantage is that you can set the tool on a magnet & keeps it from rolling off your work when you flip it over! The point on the BLT is sharp - stiletto sharp. Excellent length, IMO.
Lacis tools scroll down to rosewood stiletto. I have two wooden laying tools. They are great for watercolours, flower thread, perle cotton. I like the grooves in the wood. The disadvantage [again, IMO] is the length. They are just too long. I prefer a shorter laying tool. I like the feel of wood in hand.
LAST, but not least, I have a couple needles from the craft store. I keep a yarn needle and/or a doll needle in the car. They are inexpensive - and I don't worry about them getting lost. I tuck them into a 'in-the-car' project. I suggest giving this a try FIRST, before purchasing a more expensive laying tool.
I have not tried any of the glass laying tools. I don't know if people actually use them or just admire their beauty! I have not tried using a trolly needle - but, it looked kinda heavy and thick. I do own a brass stiletto which has a cap. I don't use it as a laying tool. I use it to open up canvas squares when I'm going to stitch eyelets. Perhaps it would be a good laying tool - I'm not sure. The point is rather sharp!
There are a couple web links, I found, with 'instructions' for laying tool use HERE and railroading HERE
Sheila, I hope this is helpful. I'll put up a 2nd post tomorrow.
Stitching in Hand
This is the start of Prairie Schooler's freebie, from their web site. Located HERE. I am using two strands of DMC floss on 32-count Lambswool linen.
When I am stitching in hand, I don't use a laying tool. I railroad the stitches. Bring your floss up thru the back & place your needle in between the two strands. Pull the needle thru to start first half of your x.
Come up again thru the back to complete your x. Place the needle in between the 2 strands of floss.
Pull floss
This is usually what it looks like right before I tighten the stitch
Ta Da
Generally, I like to stitch rows top to bottom & usually stitch one "x" at a time. Many of my friends stitch rows from left to right, make 1/2 the cross stitch going left & they return going right to complete all the x's.
To decrease tangled fibers I like to run my fibers over Thread Heaven. If you are not familiar with this product -- go to the link!!
Generally, I like to stitch rows top to bottom & usually stitch one "x" at a time. Many of my friends stitch rows from left to right, make 1/2 the cross stitch going left & they return going right to complete all the x's.
To decrease tangled fibers I like to run my fibers over Thread Heaven. If you are not familiar with this product -- go to the link!!
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Received a phone call from the florist ...
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Elizabeth Ann Pitman
I'm getting over a terrible flu & head cold. Boyz home from school today -- SNOW DAY. Not much else going on ... just more snow, and more snow, and more snow. Sick of snow? I am.
Friday, February 15, 2008
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Judith Hayle and her pupils
Thursday, February 07, 2008
Progress Pictures ...
Monday, February 04, 2008
Friday, February 01, 2008
Ann Relf 1815
In the With My Needle and Pen Newsletter, I was delighted to read about the Wisconsin Historical Society putting their sampler collection on-line.
When I visited an exhibit in Chicago (2007), I was interested in the Ann Relf sampler -- esp the first section with the alphabet letters surrounded by queen stitches!!! The image in the Exhibition Cataloge was ok, the on-line photo is larger & easier to view the stitching : )
This collection includes Betsy Manchester, Rhode Island, 1793
Tour the sampler collection - LINK HERE
Free exhibit in Chicago
Petronele Gerlikiene: Embroidered Myths and Everyday Stories
January 12 through April 6, 2008
Chicago Cultural Center, Michigan Avenue Galleries
78 E. Washington Street
Free
One of the most acclaimed, self-taught Lithuanian-American artists, Petronele Gerlikiene was born in Chicago in 1905 and died in Vilnius, Lithuania in 1979. She spent most of her life working in the countryside but, after retiring in 1972, she moved to the capital to live with her artist son. Fond of needlework and embroidery, she started to create her own compositions on curtains and rugs, with different trees as the central motifs, often surrounded by people and animals, sometimes referring to Lithuanian myths or simple daily life experiences. Organized by the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs in cooperation with the Lithuanian Art Gallery Ciurlionis, Inc. and the Lithuanian Consulate in Chicago. Programs. Brochure.
For information about other Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs events, visit the Department of Cultural Affairs website. Department of Cultural Affairs: 312-744-6630
web site link HERE
Japanese Prints
Adam and Eve, 1980
Kappazuri dyed stencil print on paper, 16/100
Brauer Museum of Art
Valparaiso University Center for the Arts
Valparaiso, Indiana 46383-6493
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