aida
Lori
I tell the difference?
Dianne Lewandowski
But don't take my word for it. Fold one corner so that one side is on
top of the other. Take it to the best light source - a bright window.
Look at it carefully. Turn the fabric square. Fold in the opposite
way.
This type is cloth is woven and treated in the same manner at the same
time (baths, bleaching, treating, starching, etc. etc.).
There is normally no difference in plain cottons and linens. Grab a
piece and start stitching. :-)
Dianne
PaulaB
I agree that there is no front or back to Aida. But there are
teachers who say that there are definite fronts and backs (I think
they would say right and wrong sides) to linen. I used to not worry
about it, but as I was looking yesterday at the large sampler I
started last week, it appears that there is, indeed, a right and wrong
side. The wrong side is a little rougher-feeling and the threads look
more raised. The right side looks smoother and a little shinier. I
pressed it before I started, but I pressed both sides and in four
directions. And wouldn't you know it, the one time I really can tell
a difference without really trying, I do believe I'm stitching on the
wrong side!! Sounds like another Murphy's Law thing to me!! Paula B.
Scarlet Apex
aida that has a very shiny side. You can stitch on either side, but some
patterns call for doing them on the shiny side to give the project a sort of
glistenny look. Stitchery Row carries some, but it's not used much.
Isabel
--
Essence Bottle
Self-Designed Project
Bird Quilt
"Lori" <lo...@wcoil.com> wrote in message news:9i7adi$p5m$0...@208.10.3.214...
Maria
really can tell a difference without really trying, I do believe I'm
stitching on the
wrong side!! Sounds like another Murphy's Law thing to me!! Paula B.
Yes, but Paula,
does the project look better on the side you're stitching on?
I can't remember which side according to assorted sources, is the right
or wrong sides to the linen.
Ultimately the choice for me is "do the raised threads suit the project
better or does the other side?"
To throw another wrench into linen is that there are some fibers which
are more prominently oriented vertically or horizontally according to
warp/weft. Since I can't seem to remember how that applies (not hanging
wise/wavey threads, but appearance--like subtle stripes), the decision
comes down to: "okay, which way does the "striping" enhance the project
(to my eyes)?"
Of course, I can imagine some teachers, should they ever come to my
sister's or my home may end up canting their heads horizontally because
according to some, the "striping" should run just one way.
At times I do like my gear slipping memory. <G>
maria in MA
PaulaB
> Yes, but Paula,
> does the project look better on the side you're stitching on?
>
> >
> better or does the other side?"
>
> To throw another wrench into linen is that there are some fibers which
> are more prominently oriented vertically or horizontally according to
> warp/weft. Since I can't seem to remember how that applies (not hanging
> wise/wavey threads, but appearance--like subtle stripes), the decision
> comes down to: "okay, which way does the "striping" enhance the project
> (to my eyes)?"
>
I think the stripey linen you are referring to could be "Driftwood."
It has both cream and natural threads, but I don't remember which is
warp and which is weft. I really like the look and did a number of
pieces on it years ago. Haven't used it lately, but I was thinking
about it a couple of weeks ago. I think it has an elegant
look...reminds me of the material DH's Oxford shirts are made of.
I can tell, though, when I stitch with the warp aligned vertically.
The fabric is much firmer and the verticals over which I stitch don't
wiggle around when I am stitching. Hope this doesn't open another
whole can of worms! Paula B.
Dianne Lewandowski
the front and back of linen. And your term "rougher" describes it
well. It has to do with the slubbing being more prominent on the back
side. Not all linen - but some. Depends upon the manufacturing
process. I have beautiful linens here which do not have a front/back
side. But I've seen some that definitely do.
But you won't notice a difference in sheen - UNLESS it has been
sized/treated to show off. I'm not a textile engineer, but from what
little I DO know, I would steer clear of a linen which was shiny on only
one side. If you need to wash it - you'll be left with a flat look -
same as the back side.
Dianne
Jill Spreenberg-Robinson
> I can tell, though, when I stitch with the warp aligned vertically.
> The fabric is much firmer and the verticals over which I stitch don't
> wiggle around when I am stitching. Hope this doesn't open another
> whole can of worms!
No can of worms here! The warp are the tighter threads (the ones which
were attached to the loom). The weft threads are much looser as they
are the woven threads. So, the warp _should_ go vertically, and the
weft should go "from weft to wight". (Just as in dressmaking -
prevents sagging).
--
Jill in IL
----------------
jrsp...@onemain.com
http://www.mypage.onemain.com/pr1009112/index.html
PaulaB
> But you won't notice a difference in sheen - UNLESS it has been
> sized/treated to show off. I'm not a textile engineer, but from what
> little I DO know, I would steer clear of a linen which was shiny on only
> one side. If you need to wash it - you'll be left with a flat look -
> same as the back side.
>
slubby on one side. This is 36-ct. linen from a kit from Joanne
Harvey, and with all she says and believes about heirloom samplers,
conservation, and stitching for the future, I would find it hard to
believe that she would scrimp on linen. Can you run over this evening
to look at it?! :-) I don't think it will look bad if I wash
it...but of course I could be wrong!! It *is* very pretty linen!
I just looked at some Driftwood linen and I believe that the warp is
natural and the weft is cream. I think!! The little piece I had left
didn't have any selvedge left on it. Whatever. Anyone else care to
try? Just look at the selvedge! Paula B.
CandyCorr
the linen on the diagonal. If you hold the piece by the upper left and lower
right corners and pull, the upper right and lower left corners will fold toward
the front or back. Whichever direction it points, is the "good" side.
Candy
Liz Hampton
> From: bs...@midamer.net (PaulaB)
> I just looked at some Driftwood linen and I believe that the warp is
> natural and the weft is cream. I think!! The little piece I had left
> didn't have any selvedge left on it. Whatever. Anyone else care to
> try? Just look at the selvedge! Paula B.
I don't have driftwood, but have a piece of linen that is made up of yellow
threads in one direction and white in the other. At first glance it looks
like a pastel yellow. :-)) I bought it on sale when a yarn shop was
closing.
Liz from Humbug
Dianne Lewandowski
fabrics. So, I'm not at ALL familiar with what's out there in the type
of fabric you are referring to. Last time I touched black was beautiful
cotton/linen blend for hubby's shirt. I never finished it - it was so
difficult to sew/see. Still hanging in my sewing closet.
Have to say, I'm terribly intrigued with your "black" work!
Dianne
victoria wrote:
>
> Dianne, speaking of fabric, I like to stitch on black. The problem is, the only
> black which is stiff enough for my taste is Aida cloth. So, in your opinion,
> what is the stiffest fabric, linen or cotton, preferably evenweave, which is
> black? I bought a piece of Lugana...lanuga, la...???something. I didn't like
> it as it was way too mushy and soft for me to stitch on. Any ideas?
>
> Victoria
Dianne Lewandowski
and answered by some knowledgable persons. Has to do with "physics" -
how hard you pull, exactly where you grab, etc. etc.
As any pro dressmaker will tell you: Fold a corner on itself. The only
way to tell. One exception: Some looms create holes at the selvage and
you could tell that way. But that's rare to find.
Dianne
Dianne Lewandowski
Dianne
victoria wrote:
>
> On Mon, 09 Jul 2001 08:23:05 -0500, Dianne Lewandowski
> <dia...@heritageshoppe.com> wrote:
>
> ><sigh> not a clue, Victoria. I do counted work, but on closely woven
> >fabrics. So, I'm not at ALL familiar with what's out there in the type
> >of fabric you are referring to. Last time I touched black was beautiful
> >cotton/linen blend for hubby's shirt. I never finished it - it was so
> >difficult to sew/see. Still hanging in my sewing closet.
> >
> >Have to say, I'm terribly intrigued with your "black" work!
> >
> >Dianne
>
> I love working on it because I love the results. I only stitched one other
> piece on it, and it was the Wash in the Moonlight. I think it's at:
>
> http://home.austin.rr.com/animaux/newgarden/Page_14.html
>
> I love working on black, but I can clearly tell you that, if I didn't have a
> natural, magnified lamp, I wouldn't be able to stitch on white, let alone black.
>
> I would love to stitch Fairy Grandmother on black fabric, but she deserves
> wonderful material, not just Aida.
>
> I'm finishing up Max's Moon and will post it when it is finished.
> V
>
> http://www.freetibet.org
Beth Katz
> I just looked at some Driftwood linen and I believe that the warp is
> natural and the weft is cream. I think!! The little piece I had left
> didn't have any selvedge left on it. Whatever. Anyone else care to
> try? Just look at the selvedge! Paula B.
The chunk I have doesn't have selvage on it, but I'm going to disagree
on which is warp and weft on the Driftwood. I think the cream color
threads are the warp that would have been the length of the loom. And
the natural are the weft (that go "weft to wight" - thanks, Jill).
The natural ones seem bumpier when pulled from the edge.
If I look carefully at the weave, the warp threads have longer sections
showing. The cream thread is slightly thicker and softer. But then again,
I looked at some loosely woven lambswool linen that has the selvage, and
the weft threads have longer sections showing, so I could certainly be
wrong. But ... I wouldn't be surprised if the Driftwaood is different
counts in different directions.
<short break to stitch a running stitch to count and then label fabric>
It looks to be 26 threads per inch along the cream threads and 28 threads
per inch along the natural threads. So at least my chunk is not the same
count in both directions. I didn't buy this piece. The LNS-owner added it
to my pile of purchases one day because she didn't want it. Hence, it's
in my stash but clearly labeled as Driftwood.
As an aside, the name of the edge of the fabric can be spelled either
way, selvage or selvedge, and has its roots in self+edge.
--
Beth Katz
ka...@cs.millersville.edu
http://cs.millersville.edu/~katz (click on needlework)
WIPs: MLI's "Celtic Banner"
PaulaB
Thanks for the additional input on the Driftwood. I used to use it so
much that I knew which direction it went, and I couldn't tell the
other day. I do know that the piece I had was 32-count - I don't
think I ever used any 28. Part of my thinking was that the natural
threads, being unbleached, were possibly stronger, and better able to
stand the stress of being the warp threads. Does that sound sensible?
Next time I'm in the LNS, I will see if they have some and see which
way the selvedge goes. Hey, I have to go to the post office today -
right next door, practically...Paula B.
Susan in Alabama
> If I look carefully at the weave, the warp threads have longer sections
> showing. The cream thread is slightly thicker and softer. But then again,
> I looked at some loosely woven lambswool linen that has the selvage, and
> the weft threads have longer sections showing, so I could certainly be
> wrong. But ... I wouldn't be surprised if the Driftwaood is different
> counts in different directions.
>
> <short break to stitch a running stitch to count and then label fabric>
>
> It looks to be 26 threads per inch along the cream threads and 28 threads
> per inch along the natural threads. So at least my chunk is not the same
> count in both directions. I didn't buy this piece. The LNS-owner added it
> to my pile of purchases one day because she didn't want it. Hence, it's
> in my stash but clearly labeled as Driftwood.
Don't know if this sheds any additional light -- OK, it's throwing a
wrench in the works, and I know it ;) -- but the Zweigart color called
Driftwood is "officially" offered only in 19, 25 and 32 linens, plus
14 Yorkshire Aida. Maybe the LNS discovered the count on this piece
wasn't true, but couldn't return it, and that's how she came to add it
in with your purchases.
Just a thought ...
Susan W.