Help with gauze
Karla
Boy do I hope you guys can help me, I am getting ready to stitch some
fairly large pictures on 40ct gauze. I have been stitching for along time
and have stitched on all fabrics, but I was wondering if there is a source
on internet with some pointers, for instance do you mount this, or can you
hand hold. I have stitched small pieces in a kit that was mounted on mat
board, and it was in petit point form, what I want to know is can you cross
the stitches. I hope I have made sense. Thank you very much
Karla
Dorsey
Dear Karla:
I do a ton of silk gauze. And you can cross stitch on it. If you want to
keep the true 40 count and stitch crossing the x's you will probbly go nuts.
However if you stitch going over two you'll have no problem.
Now you can mount it in mat board............however I hate stitching gauze
mounted in mat board. So I use hair tape and tape all edges. You can find
hair tape in most drug stores. It's a pink paper tape that has non acid base
glue, and thus it won't harm the silk gauze.
I than use my scroll frame in correct size. Mine are Handi Clamp scroll
frames. The do not cause a run or moving of the warp or weft threads in the
gauze. I have also used Tomorrow Treasures Scroll frames. The reason that
I like using scroll frames is the silk gauze streaches as you stitch on it.
This causes a sag or ditch as I like to call it. On a scroll frame you can
just retighten it if it gets very bad or mist it with CLEAN DISTILLED
WATER(not shouting just emphaising) and it will "spring" back into shape.
The hair tape however will help to keep it from developing a large sag.
I'll be honest---I don't know why the tape does this, but I'm guessing that
it holds the sides kinda like lashing the sides of fabric to the side bars.
There are two silk gauze designs that I've done using this method. They are
Hardanger, but they are both done on 40 count 100% pure silk gauze. If you
have more questions please feel free to write me.
Dors :D
Please visit The Rainbow Connection
http://home1.gte.net/victorei
where you'll find Cross Stitch
and Innovative Hardanger Patterns
And
Kevin's Fantastic NEW
Handi-clamp Scroll Frames
Lula
>
> I like using scroll frames is the silk gauze streaches as you stitch on it.
> This causes a sag or ditch as I like to call it. On a scroll frame you can
> just retighten it if it gets very bad or mist it with CLEAN DISTILLED
> WATER(not shouting just emphaising) and it will "spring" back into shape.
> The hair tape however will help to keep it from developing a large sag.
>
> I'll be honest---I don't know why the tape does this, but I'm guessing that
> it holds the sides kinda like lashing the sides of fabric to the side bars.
You don't realize it Dorsey, but you are essentially blocking your Silk
gauze back into shape when you mist it and tighten it afterwards causing
it to "spring" back into shape.
Of course with real blocking, everything would be lined up perfectly,
all angles perpendicular and all threads parallel and straight before
misting.
Some reasons why Silk gauze will sag or buckle when stitching is
"resting" a hand on the gauze while stitching or pulling a little too
tight with the thread tension.
Another cause of sagging is having uneven tension by not having the Silk
gauze mounted straight with an even tension on the scroll bars.
This causes loose areas where the gauze will "sag" because it will slide
from any stitching tension applied to the surface.
It takes a little work, but sewing or mounting the gauze as straight as
possible on the scroll bars will cause very little stretching or
sagging.
Karla wrote:
>I was wondering if there is a source
> on internet with some pointers, for instance do you mount this, or can you
> hand hold.
To Karla -
Another method of stitching Silk gauze with scroll frames is sewing the
Silk gauze onto the center of a piece of muslin and then cutting a hole
in the muslin behind the gauze - this method was explained to me by
Paula M of Crossed Wings Design who learned it from Nancy Sturgeon
another designer who creates Silk gauze patterns.
This makes good sense as it cause less stress to the Silk gauze and
sounds like a great idea if you are stitching a larger piece.
Since I've done small pieces of gauze, I prefer to work in a mat board
set up compared to working in hand which I've also tried but didn't like
as the gauze is soft and flops over too much. Plus I believe the less
handling and crushing of the gauze will create a crisper, better looking
finished project.
You check my adventures with Silk gauze on my web site -
http://www.woolydream.com/WD_wip.html
I really enjoyed working with Silk gauze and am working on another.
It's the perfect medium for pictorial needlework - creates wonderful
needlework paintings with fine details and shading.
---
Lula
http://www.woolydream.com
Needlework Adventures
Dorsey
I understand that the misting with distilled water blocks the silk gauze.
However what I don't understand is why exactly taping all four sides with
the hair tape keeps it from developing a sag like it does when it's mounted
in mat board.
I can't pull things really tight---my tension seem to be a little looser
that most that do Hangdanger work. But I've had people in classes that pull
much tighter than I and while they do get a small sag with the hair tape in
place---they tell me that it's nothing like what they've had happen when the
gauze was mounted in mat board. Like I said I'm thinking that it either
keeps it square and thus blocked or it is like lashing to the side of the
scroll frame as with other fabrics.
All I know is that it works. Weather you've got it mounted perfactly square
or not. Also the tape adds re-enforcement to the end if your sewing it on
to the Tomorrows treasure tapes and allowing you to use the entire end to be
used for framing with no fear of it fraying.
Sorry I wasn't clear as to which I didn't understood why it worked. But
it's the tape----not the misting with distilled water.
--
Dors :D
Please visit The Rainbow Connection
http://home1.gte.net/victorei
where you'll find Cross Stitch
and Innovative Hardanger Patterns
And
Kevin's Fantastic NEW
Handi-clamp Scroll Frames
Lula wrote in message <3628F0...@earthlink.net>...
Lula
The hair tape for one isn't a very strong tape to keep Silk gauze from
warping if you are doing a lot stitches which will create a certain
amount of surface tension on the gauze threads.
This tape basically serves as a surface adhesive and might keep the
gauze threads in line temporarily but not permanently especially if
there is a large amount of stitching.
From what you are saying about your work on gauze, it is quite open
compared to the solid stitching I do on my gauze.
The main reason why stitchers tape the edges of canvas materials such as
Silk gauze is to prevent the outer edges and threads from fraying by
catching on each other - not to keep it from sagging.
Posted and e-mailed
---
Lula
http://www.woolydream.com
Needlework Adventures
Dorsey
Dear Lula:
What you say is quite correct when silk gauze is done as a needlepoint
canvas application. The vary nature of this type of stitching tends to
distort the weave of canvas or fabric. On un mounted peices done in a
contential or tent stitch I have seen disrottion in the weave of the fabric
or canvas so badly that it actually looks like an arrow --simply for lack of
a beter discriptive word.
When fabric or canvas is either placed on streacher bars or a scroll frame
especially in heavyly stitched peices--when lashing is also used this tends
to keep the distoration down qiute a bit.
Now because of the weight or lack there of in silk gauze---if all four edges
are sandwiched inbetween hair tape----it it much stronger than you think,
btw--- trust me it tends to keep the silk gauze from sagging when used on a
scroll frame.
The hair tape is not ment as a permentant stop or blocking on the gauze. It
is mearly to be used while stitching on the frame. However my framer feel
more comfortable leaving it in place while framing simply to stop the aspect
of fraying that can occure.
We can banter back and forth---I've done over 1 crossing x's on silk gauze
and I've done hardanger and I done the half, contential and tent stitch all
on 40 count silk gauze. this works for myself and so far in my classes.
For you, you choose to do things differently---and as long as it doesn't
harm the needlework, than both ways are correct. Your for your needlepoint
and mine for my hardanger with woven beads,and all the other types of
stitching that I do.
--
Dors :D
Please visit The Rainbow Connection
http://home1.gte.net/victorei
where you'll find Cross Stitch
and Innovative Hardanger Patterns
And
Kevin's Fantastic NEW
Handi-clamp Scroll Frames
Lula wrote in message <362934...@earthlink.net>...
Lula
I'm glad you agree with me that there are different approaches to
working with Silk gauze depending on the type of stitching method one
uses as there is no one approach.
This is the exact statement I want to point out and clarify to newbie
Silk gauze stitchers.
What concerned me was the fact you said the paper hair tape holds your
gauze from sagging, but I notice from your sample gauze picture of the
Indian Blessing piece you show on your web site is somewhat distorted.
I assume this was before you blocked and framed it.
posted and e-mailed
Dorsey
Dear Lula:
The Indain Blessing is actually stitched on a non-even weave peice of silk
gauze. Even thought it comes out a little distored---I like the feel and the
way this gauze stitches up much better than the evenweave gauze.
This gauze has no sizing and thus has a softer feel and I may be crazy but
it actually doesn't get out of square as much as the other does. It really
hold it's shape quite well. With out the sizing it also is eaiser to rip
out mistakes and move the threads back in place. Add to that the fact that
I'm also getting ready some new designs that literly have beads woven in to
designs and it's sheer heace to work with. I get this from YLI.
Just wounderful terrific fabric. Really like it.
--
Dors :D
Please visit The Rainbow Connection
http://home1.gte.net/victorei
where you'll find Cross Stitch
and Innovative Hardanger Patterns
And
Kevin's Fantastic NEW
Handi-clamp Scroll Frames
Lula wrote in message <36296A...@earthlink.net>...
>Dorsey,
>
>I'm glad you agree with me that there are different approaches to
>working with Silk gauze depending on the type of stitching method one
>uses as there is no one approach.
>This is the exact statement I want to point out and clarify to newbie
>Silk gauze stitchers.
>
>What concerned me was the fact you said the paper hair tape holds your
>gauze from sagging, but I notice from your sample gauze picture of the
>Indian Blessing piece you show on your web site is somewhat distorted.
>I assume this was before you blocked and framed it.
>
>posted and e-mailed
Lula
I'm glad we've had this discussion on Silk gauze as now you've
mentioned another interesting gauze fabric from YLI - proves there are
as many ways to stitch as there are a stitchers and fabrics (canvases)!
Have fun working with your new designs.
e-mailed and posted
---
Lula
http://www.woolydream.com
Needlework Adventures
Dorsey wrote:
>
> Posted and e-mailed:
>
> Dear Lula:
>
> The Indain Blessing is actually stitched on a non-even weave peice of silk
> gauze. Even thought it comes out a little distored---I like the feel and the
> way this gauze stitches up much better than the evenweave gauze.
>
> This gauze has no sizing and thus has a softer feel and I may be crazy but
> it actually doesn't get out of square as much as the other does. It really
> hold it's shape quite well. With out the sizing it also is eaiser to rip
> out mistakes and move the threads back in place. Add to that the fact that
> I'm also getting ready some new designs that literly have beads woven in to
> designs and it's sheer heace to work with. I get this from YLI.
>
> Just wounderful terrific fabric. Really like it.
>
Dorsey
Dear Lula:
Glad we had this exchange of ideas--too. Especially in an open froum. With
my backround in loom weaving, I tend to look at things and say why not,
instead of just the not. And I figure that if it can be done on the silk
gauze the tech. that I'm playing with canbe used on all other fabrics and
canvases----so far that's been the case.
I tend not to lay out my very long resume in this forum----which sometimes
leads to misunderstanding. But if your looking for something different or
out of the normal loop of needlework---I probbly know where to find it or
someone who can find it for you.
Another thing that often leads to misunderstandings is that to me---right
wrong or indifferent---all Canvas and fabric can be used with any style of
needle work. You may have to adapt or change the way that you do
something----but all needlework can be done on either fabric or canvas.
LOL.......meny years ago I perplexed a lady in a needlework store cause I
asked for canvas, well she brought me needle point canvas of course.
Actually what I was looking for was an evenweave cotton duck canvas the
weight of painting canvas.
Like you I have many books that tell different types of stitches, fabrics
and canvases. It's wounderful and yet sometimes confusing that a stitch in
needlepoint is called something different in surface embroidery, Cross
Stitch and yes---still again in Hardanger. What also amazes me is that I've
had people in classes get angery cause I'll use the name for a stitch in the
tech that we're doing and they will have learned it by a different name.
They correct me and I'll say yes that's also a name for this stitch. And
than use both names for the rest of the class so that I don't confuse
them----and they get angry.
Well sorry to have been so long winded----but yes there are as many ways to
do needle work as there are fabrics. And it's good when two "old timers"
like us discuss this in a public forum. Both of us learn something new, and
we also pass on some tips and information to others............
And that is what the heart and backbone of RCTN is all about.
--
Dors :D
Please visit The Rainbow Connection
http://home1.gte.net/victorei
where you'll find Cross Stitch
and Innovative Hardanger Patterns
And
Kevin's Fantastic NEW
Handi-clamp Scroll Frames
Lula wrote in message <362982...@earthlink.net>...
>Dorsey,
>
>I'm glad we've had this discussion on Silk gauze as now you've
>mentioned another interesting gauze fabric from YLI - proves there are
>as many ways to stitch as there are a stitchers and fabrics (canvases)!
>Have fun working with your new designs.
>
>e-mailed and posted
>---
>Lula
>http://www.woolydream.com
>Needlework Adventures
>
>Dorsey wrote:
>>
>> Posted and e-mailed:
>>
>> Dear Lula:
>>
>> The Indain Blessing is actually stitched on a non-even weave peice of
silk
>> gauze. Even thought it comes out a little distored---I like the feel and
the
>> way this gauze stitches up much better than the evenweave gauze.
>>
>> This gauze has no sizing and thus has a softer feel and I may be crazy
but
>> it actually doesn't get out of square as much as the other does. It
really
>> hold it's shape quite well. With out the sizing it also is eaiser to rip
>> out mistakes and move the threads back in place. Add to that the fact
that
>> I'm also getting ready some new designs that literly have beads woven in
to
>> designs and it's sheer heace to work with. I get this from YLI.
>>
>> Just wounderful terrific fabric. Really like it.
>>
Lula
Thanks for your offer of help, but I've been going to the needlework and
other trade shows for the last 16 years both as a retailer and
exhibitor, not to mention a large network of contacts, so have a good
handle on finding anything I need.
About your loom weaving background, interesting as part of my college
textile design graduation requirements was to weave on table and floor
looms, first painting color studies and then weaving the resulting
designs.
The highlight of these classes was being treated to a lecture by Jack
Lenor Larson, one of the world's premiere woven textile designers.
Despite all this training, I have to admit, this type of weaving has not
influenced my design work much.
For me, needlework design is an extension of my brush and pen as I'm
more interested in design first and technique second. In my way of
looking, once you get a good design, you find a good technique to work
with it.
Dorsey you're funny, why did you go to a needlework shop to buy artist's
canvas instead an art supply shop, no wonder the poor woman was
confused!
---
Lula
http://www.woolydream.com
Needlework Adventures
Dorsey
Dear Lula:
Remember---all are the same to me---because there wasn't an art supply store
with in 50 miles. So--and now I too laugh about---I figured since canvas
was canvas they would carry what I was looking for. Even called ahead and
asked if they carried canvas. LOL of course they said they did.
So who's at fault---my the manfactures........for calling two different
things the same. you'd die if you walked in to my house---in the living
room is a 60" 4 harness floor loom that I just finished restoring and
threading.
I always said that if we ever had to go back to the days of no
electricity---I'd be useful.
--
Dors :D
Please visit The Rainbow Connection
http://home1.gte.net/victorei
where you'll find Cross Stitch
and Innovative Hardanger Patterns
And
Kevin's Fantastic NEW
Handi-clamp Scroll Frames
Lula wrote in message <362A58...@earthlink.net>...
>Dorsey,
>
>Thanks for your offer of help, but I've been going to the needlework and
>other trade shows for the last 16 years both as a retailer and
>exhibitor, not to mention a large network of contacts, so have a good
>handle on finding anything I need.
>
>About your loom weaving background, interesting as part of my college
>textile design graduation requirements was to weave on table and floor
>looms, first painting color studies and then weaving the resulting
>designs.
>The highlight of these classes was being treated to a lecture by Jack
>Lenor Larson, one of the world's premiere woven textile designers.
>Despite all this training, I have to admit, this type of weaving has not
>influenced my design work much.
>
>For me, needlework design is an extension of my brush and pen as I'm
>more interested in design first and technique second. In my way of
>looking, once you get a good design, you find a good technique to work
>with it.
>
>Dorsey you're funny, why did you go to a needlework shop to buy artist's
>canvas instead an art supply shop, no wonder the poor woman was
>confused!
>---
>Lula
>http://www.woolydream.com
>Needlework Adventures
>
>Dorsey wrote:
>>
>>
I've
>> had people in classes get angery cause I'll use the name for a stitch in
the
>> tech that we're doing and they will have learned it by a different name.
>> They correct me and I'll say yes that's also a name for this stitch. And
>> than use both names for the rest of the class so that I don't confuse
>> them----and they get angry.
>>
>> Well sorry to have been so long winded----but yes there are as many ways
to
>> do needle work as there are fabrics. And it's good when two "old timers"
>> like us discuss this in a public forum. Both of us learn something new,
and
>> we also pass on some tips and information to others............
>>
>> And that is what the heart and backbone of RCTN is all about.
>>
Martha Beth Lewis
writes:
>needlepoint is called something different in surface embroidery, Cross
cause I'll use the name for a stitch in the
>tech that we're doing and they will have learned it by a different
stitch. And than use both names for the rest of the class so that I
don't confuse them----and they get angry.
Duplicate names are indeed a problem. What I usually do is to make a
note of any new name which is presented and then tell the class that I
will continue calling it by the name given in the handout to prevent
further confusion. Those who prefer another name can line thru "my"
name on the handout and insert theirs. mb