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If you are having trouble with the end of
the thread coming out of the eye of the needle, anchor it this way -
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| When using a new or exotic thread, start with a length
of thread no greater than the distance from your elbow to your extended finger tips. |
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Save your Orts (Thread Scraps) throughout the year and
put them in an Ornament marked with the Year. (They make a Great Gift for a Stitching
Teacher.)
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| Stitching with SILK |
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Archaeologists have uncovered silk buried for 3000
years and found it to be still intact and strong. This longevity makes it perfect for
heirloom needlework.
Its light reflective qualities add a richness to needlework which can not be duplicated. |
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| When stitching with Silk, always prepare the Ground Fabric to
minimize snagging. With fabrics such as Linen, turn the edges under and secure with a
running stitch. With Canvas, cover the raw edges with masking tape or enclose with bias
tape. |
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| Alway wash your hands before stitching and use a non-greasy
handcream to soften cuticles and avoid snagging on dry skin. |
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| Work with 12" - 18" lengths of silk, to minimize wear and
damage. |
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| Try to avoid dragging the thread across the Ground Fabric or the
frame/hoop. |
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| Use a Poke and Stab method rather than Scooping. |
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| Let the needle dangle every few stitches to let the
thread return to its natural twist. |
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| Use a needle whose eye easily accomodates the silk, but
which does not distort the ground fabric. |
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| For maximum lustre, ply the strands before stitching
with a stranded silk such as Silk Mori. (See below for additional Tips for plying silk.) |
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| Silk thread's sheen comes from uniform light reflection
which is best obtained by keeping the plies parallel and separate during the stitching
process. This can best be accompliched with the use of a laying tool. |
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| Tools used for laying silk are a bodkin, trolley
needle, tapestry needle, tekobari or laying tool. See our collection of Laying Tools by
clicking HERE. |
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| Kreinik Silk Serica Tips |
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Silk Serica is a 3 ply silk twist which can be used as
it comes off of the spool OR can be separated into individual plies.
To start the ply separation:
Tap the end of the strand OR
Hold the strand near the end and apply a slight "counter-twist" to the thread. |
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Separated, the plies have a slightly rippled look,
reminiscent of antique samplers.
To relax the ripples, dampen the silk. This will leave a flat area of exceptionally high
sheen. |
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| Use a cosmetic sponge to dampen the silk as it is not
as abrasive as other sponges. |
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| When using individual plies of Silk Serica, work with a
length no longer than 12" to avoid damaging the thread. |
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| Consider dampening the silk BEFORE separating the
plies, if you live in a dry climate.Central heating can also dry the silk. Remember that
silk is a natural fibre and is responsive to climatic changes. |
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| Stitching with Ribbon Floss and its
close relatives (Metallic Ribbon Floss, Shimmer Blend, and the Reflection Collection). |
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| When starting a new spool of Ribbon Floss,
take a moment to make two snips in one end of the cardboard tube, with a pair of sharp
scissors. You can then anchor the thread and keep it from unraveling. |
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| If the tube is not marked but the plastic
wrapping is, fold up the plastic and insert it with the tube. You can then refer back to
it for the color number. |
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| Cut your Ribbon Floss at a sharp angle to
facilitate needle threading and to minimize raveling. |
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| Use your fingers or a Laying Tool to
encourage the Ribbon to lie flat, for maximum effectiveness. |
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| Tools used for laying Ribbon Floss can
include a bodkin, trolley needle, tapestry needle, tekobari or laying tool. Look at our
collection of Laying Tools by clicking HERE. |
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If the Ribbon Floss is slipping out of your
needle, pierce it with the needle several times to lock it on.
If it then unravels, tie a VERY tight knot in the unraveled section and move the knot
right to the needle's eye. It will stay in the needle but will move thru the canvas along
with the thickness of the needle. |
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Pick up Travel Packs of the disposable Hand Wipes and
keep one in each Project Bag.
Clean hands make for Clean Stitching! |
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Dental Floss Threaders can be used as Needlework
Threaders.
BONUS TIP: The empty container can hold Needles! |
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| When using Stretcher Bars, wrap Plastic Wrap around the
bottom of the Stretcher Bars to help keep the project clean. This will minimize rubbing
against the canvas as you lean over it. |
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| When possible, consider blending 2 close
shades of the same color in your needle to add depth to the color. |
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Remember that a color's value (location on
the scale between white and black) is the most important factor when differentiating it
from another color.
For instance: When you need the main color to stand out from the background make sure that
they are different values. |
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| When you want to add excitement to a
design, try adding some of the main color's complementary color to the piece. |
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Send M's
Stitching Tips to a friend!
AOL folks -
CLICK HERE to email this page to a friend.
Once the email screen pops up, you will see the page's address
in the "subject" box.
Copy (Windows users - highlight it and hold down Control while hitting C)
and Paste (Windows users - place your cursor in the body of the message and hold down
Control while hitting V) it into the body of the message.
Replace the Subject Line with your own and send it as a regular email. |
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