To Sue Dawson/ Arts & Crafts Era Threads
sewingsusan
If Sue Dawson is still on this list, I would love for her to post an
answer to a question I have about the types of threads used in linens
during the "arts & Crafts Era" (early 1900s). I did a search of the
archives and found posts from several years ago in which she said that
she was personally interested in this topic and had a collection of
antique threads and books from this Era.
Sue, I would like to recreate some arts & crafts era linens with as
close to the authentic threads as possible, but in silks and not the
"art silks" (rayons) which were also used at that time. I have read
mention that they had a number of threads which are not available to
use today.
It seems, from my minor-league research, that they used silk threads
which were similiar to DMC's cotton perle threads, but I am not sure
which weight of the perle threads would be similiar. I have found a
couple of online sources for silk threads which are available in a
variety of colors in the same weights as DMC cotton perles 3, 5, 8 &
12. Am I on the right track?? Which weight should I order to
experiement with??
I have the Vogue patterns for Mission-style pillows, and they
recommend regular DMC floss, but this doesn't feel "authentic" to me.
I would like to make embroider these designs in silks. Any help or
direction would be appreciated.
Blessings,
Susan
Dianne Lewandowski
Contact Lacis with your question if no one else has an answer.
Be prepared to wait for a reply. :-)
Dianne
FKBABB
recommend regular DMC floss, but this doesn't feel "authentic" to me.
Actually, DMC cotton floss is completely authentic. The company has been in
business since the mid-19th century and hasn't even changed its color numbers.
I have several DMC books of patterns originally published from about 1890-1910
and in all their cotton floss is the first thread recommended, though most note
that linen or silk threads can be used as well (DMC brand, of course!), and
either perle or regular floss.
HTH, Annie
Dr. Brat
> << I have the Vogue patterns for Mission-style pillows, and they
> recommend regular DMC floss, but this doesn't feel "authentic" to me.
>
> business since the mid-19th century and hasn't even changed its color numbers.
I thought that certain colors had been changed. That if you had older
versions of the same number, they wouldn't match the newer versions.
Certainly numbers have been added...
Elizabeth
--
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~living well is the best revenge~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
The most important thing one woman can do for another is to illuminate
and expand her sense of actual possibilities. --Adrienne Rich
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Dianne Lewandowski
DMC floss). One need only read Dillmont's encyclopedia to see just how
authentic it is for the period in question. :-)
However (always the big however), broder threads were often used, rather
than floss. This is tightly twisted thread with a beautiful sheen. Sue
might want to look at floche (Herschnerr's carries it). This isn't as
nice as broder (cheaper stuff - never mind what they charge for it), but
it's worth a look. Smockers love it - and it is highly twisted in lots
of colors.
Personally, I hate cotton pearls, though I use them. They simply don't
hold up when used in surface work because they shred up with the
constant twisting and abrasion from in/out of the material. Satin
stitching is different. I'm talking all those tiny chains or stem stitches.
Dianne
Jenn Ridley
>FKBABB wrote:
>> << I have the Vogue patterns for Mission-style pillows, and they
>> recommend regular DMC floss, but this doesn't feel "authentic" to me.
>>
>> Actually, DMC cotton floss is completely authentic. The company has been in
>> business since the mid-19th century and hasn't even changed its color numbers.
>
>I thought that certain colors had been changed. That if you had older
>versions of the same number, they wouldn't match the newer versions.
Yes, that's (sort of) true. But it wasn't by choice.
The new colors are as close to the old colors as they could get with
the new dyes. And actually, if you go back far enough, the 'new'
(1990s) versions are pretty close to older (1940s) versions, or at
least to the 1940s skeins that belonged to my gramma. (gramma and mom
stored the floss in a paper lined wooden box in a drawer, so there was
no fading of the older colors...shifting due to age, probably.)
I think that there had been a gradual shift in those colors over the
years, and an effort was made when DMC had to change dyes to make the
'new' version more like the 'old' version.
jenn
--
Jenn Ridley
jri...@chartermi.net
WIP: Art Stitch Rose Trio, Emperor's Coat, FrankenFlora, Halloween Circle
Most recently Finished: Romance, Santa Christmas Stocking, Will Work for Freezer Space
Dr. Brat
> Yes, but this doesn't detract from the authenticity (the act of using
> DMC floss).
I hadn't intended to imply that it did. I just was surprised to hear
someone claim that their color numbers haven't changed.
Dr. Brat
> "Dr. Brat" <epc...@mindspring.com> wrote:
>>I thought that certain colors had been changed. That if you had older
>>versions of the same number, they wouldn't match the newer versions.
> I think that there had been a gradual shift in those colors over the
> years, and an effort was made when DMC had to change dyes to make the
> 'new' version more like the 'old' version.
That makes sense. Thanks!
Tia Mary-remove nekoluvr to reply
>I thought that certain colors had been changed. That if you had older
>versions of the same number, they wouldn't match the newer versions. .......
I would hazard a guess that 310 has always been Black and 666 has always
been what I call Christmas Red, etc. I *think* that's what the original poster
was talking about when she said that the color *numbers* haven't been changed.
The whole thing about the colors not looking the same and changing over time
is probably as was posted -- due to new dyes that meet current environmental
stadards. CiaoMeow >^;;^<
.
PAX, Tia Mary >^;;^< Queen of Kitties
Angels can't show their wings on earth but nothing was ever said about their
WHISKERS!!
Nothing is complete without a few cat hairs!
Online Photos at http://community.webshots.com/user/tiamary