From: jshekara@wisconsin.NoSubdomain.NoDomain (Jennifer Shekaran)
Newsgroups: rec.crafts.textiles
Subject: Re: Need x-stitch hints
Date: 28 Jan 93 15:58:50 GMT
Organization: Computervision Corp.

In article <1993Jan26.084806.21780@newstand.syr.edu>, jareed@rodan.acs.syr.EDU (Judith Ann Reed) writes:
|> 
|> * How do you deal with patterns that need a stitch or three of a color in 
|> widely varied places? Do you try to do all of one color in a fairly diverse
|> area at one time? Do you use short threads and just do two or three stitches
|> and then end off? Do you leave long ends of various colors hanging behind
|> the work so you can continue it? 

This very much depends on the piece.  Most of the time I work adjacent sections and don't
skip around.  There are several reasons for this:
	1) miscounting can cause BIG time loss is you skip around to fill sections of
	   the same color and end up not being worth it
	2) see my next comment

|> 
|> * Do you work in straight rows across the pattern, in one direction, or do you
|> follow the design sections, working on various sections as you get to that
|> color?

This again depends on the piece.  I generally work in design sections, starting from
some point and working around it.  However, it is important to remember that for
the stitches to lie down the best, it has been found that working from a completed
section down (or towards you) you will be putting your needle down in filled holes
and up in empty holes.  You usually have better control not splitting fibers of already
laid stitches if you go down into them rather than up.  (This is way algerian eyes are
always worked with the needle always going into the center.)  Of course, remember that
you can always flip your fabric and work up the piece and still be working down (or 
towards you)!!

For this reason most technique books suggest starting in the upper left corner of a piece.
But getting to the upper most left corner may require a fair amount of counting with
that ever present risk of miscounting.  I really try to minimize the distance I must count
to reduce that risk.

Another point on the direction of stitching.  I ALWAYS think about how the back of my piece
will look.  The back should be mostly up and down parallel stitches with a minimum of
cross-over diagonals or horizontals.  Most charts which show how to xstitch show how to
work a row from left to right placing the / diagonal and returning to the starting point
by working back placing the \ diagonal.  This will give on the optimum clean back.  However,
charts are not all clean rectangular blocks of stitches!!!  So I plan my stitching journey
by planning the affect of the order of stitching on both the front and the back.  

I think that the key here is that there is no one way to do it.  Too much bulk on the back
of apiece do to lots of crisscrossing and burying of threads can affect how your piece looks
when it is finished.

|> 
|> * Do you have techniques to make it easier to find your spot on the pattern?
|> Do you copy and magnify it? Do you recommend magnifying bars, pattern holders,
|> etc? Do you mark up the pattern as you go?
|> 
I do all of the above, but when working in adjacent sections one tends to focus just on
that area and finding where you are isn't too big of a job.

|> * Is it possible to clean the face of the work when you finish, as I note it
|> can sometimes get a bit dirty.
|> 

I always wash my finished work in warm water with Ivory dish soap.  This not only cleans
it but it tends to shrink the fabric and makes your stitches stand up nice and pretty.  This
makes a world of difference in the look of the finished piece.

|> * What kind of needles do your recommend? Do you ever put the fabric in a hoop,
|> or do you just rely on its stiffness to hold it while you work? Or do you
|> put it in a frame? What kind of frame, or whatever, do you recommend?
|> 

I work all ways...sometimes with no hoop, sometimes with a hoop, sometimes with a frame...
this all depends on whether I am doing any hemstitching, laying of threads, etc which
require or benefit having two hands free.

|> * What treatment do you give the work when it is done, as far as cleaning,
|> blocking, mounting, etc? Should it be put in a frame with or without glass?
|> How about mounting works in embroidery hoops and hanging them? Should I 
|> glue it to the hoop to hold it permanently?
|> 

As mentioned before, I wash my work. I take the wet fabric and iron it face down on a
fluffy towel until it is dry.  I let it lie flat for a day or two and then I lace it
onto a mounting board cut to fit the frame.  I DO NOT use any metal tacks, etc. to mount
my fabric to the mounting board.  Lacing is much better as far as preserving fabric in
tack...I want my stuff appreciated lots of years from now!

Using glass or not using glass in the frame is as near as I can tell a religious thing.
Some people swear by it, others say no way.  I decide based on practicality.  I stitched
a gift for my sister-in-law who lives in India.  Since it is subjected to lots more dust
in the air, etc.  I put glass on it.  I am making some things for the kitchen...I will use
glass here.  However, things that I put into a bedroom, etc.  I don't use it.

Where texture in a piece is important I don't use glass and I make sure to hang somewhere
where exposure is minimal if I can.

|> * How old is counted x-stitch as a craft? Is it fairly recent? If not, how
|> did long-ago stitchers do things? What fabrics did they use, what did they
|> do with their finished pieces, etc? Was it used on clothing and household
|> items?                                        
|> 
I have no comment here!! Surprised?

|> * What about using metallic filaments? The piece I am doing calls for extensive
|> bordering in "Balnik Kreiger" (spelling) metallic filament, and the stuff is
|> devilish to work with. How should I take off the 3 strands from the spool,
|> piece them together, thread the needle, keep them smooth? Are there any 
|> substitutes you've found that are sufficiently shiny and easier to work with,
|> to give similar effects?                
|> 
I have used a Rainbow Blending Thread which is a metalic thread from Madeira and it's
much easier to use than Balger.  

|> * Do you knot the threads on the back, or rely on weaving it in under other
|> threads?

Always weave....never knot.  
|> 
|> * What books are good for providing info on techniques, such as in the questions
|> above?
|> 
|> Thanks for your patience, I'm looking forward to learning more about this
|> lovely craft!

-- 
**************************************************************
Jennifer Shekaran  	     jshekara@cvbnet.Prime.com
Computervision
Bedford, MA  01730
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