Needlework and Needlework Hint and Tips
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KEEPING TRACK IN A CHART
If wanting to mark off an embroidery
chart while stitching, Use a blue water soluble pen to mark off the chart. Then if a pen
mark gets on your fabric, it will wash out. Or use the straight edge of a "Post
it" note to mark where you are on a chart if you don't want to mark the actual
chart..
WHAT TO DO WITH
YOUR EMBROIDERY?
What do we do with our embroidery design once we have stitched it? Here are
some ideas of what to make our design up into: neck scarf, add a wire bell pull for
a hanging, carry bag, quilt cover, needle holder, box, book cover, towel edging, pocket,
book mark, head band, pincushion, photo frame, tissue box cover, chatelaine, baby cot
cover, brooch, Hats, hanky.
Oops, CUT THE WRONG THREAD, it's okay
If cutting fabric threads inside a design shape, when stitching Schwalm
embroidery for example and you cut the wrong fabric thread. Completely remove the wrong
cut fabric thread from inside the area. Pull a fabric thread from along the very outside
edge of the fabric. Then weave in this fabric thread where the wrong fabric thread was
cut. Weave the ends into the back of your design outline stitches. Trim the excess fabric
threads. No one will ever know.
USING RAYON THREAD
If using Rayon thread while stitching. Slide the thread first through a damp
sponge. Then allow thread to dry, before threading your needle. This takes the bounce out
of the thread while stitching.
LEFT HANDED
DIAGRAMS
For left handed people, hold your right handed stitch diagram up to a lit
window, place the diagram so it is facing the window. The reflection you see through the
paper, will be what 80% of what left handed people would understand.
MOUNTING - ACID
FREE CARDBOARD
Always use Acid Free cardboard under your embroidery or when constructing
fabric items. Non Acid Free card will discolour in time and stain your fabric over the
cardboard. You can purchase from your picture framer the right cardboard.
MAIL ORDERING
If placing a mail order with an embroidery shop. To help explain to the
retailer what colour fabric you need, use the Anchor Stranded Cotton colour range as a
guide to the nearest colour. This saves confusion if the shop has two light pinks in the
fabric range. www.jmddesigns.co.nz
WHAT NEEDLE TO
USE?
When not stitching and wanting to pierce the actual fabric thread while
stitching, but go between each fabric thread e.g. Cross stitch, Hardanger,
Buttonhole Bars etc. Use a Tapestry needle. It has a blunt end and less likely to catch
the fabric thread while stitching.
If stitching and wanting to put the needle in
any part of the fabric you like, e.g., Coral Knot, Stem stitch stitch etc. Use a Crewel
needle or a sharp pointed needle. This will make it easier to pierce the fabric threads.
There are of course other needles that have
to be used e.g. When stitching Bullion’s, use a Straw needle. This needle is the same
thickness the whole length of the needle and makes pulling the needle through the rows of
wrapping a lot easier and a more even looking Bullion is produced.
OK, now we have the type of needle, what size
needle in that range should we use? A good rule to follow is the embroidery thread once
threaded in the needle, should be able to move freely, through the eye of the needle.
WIRE TAILS
When doing Stumpwork with wire, I hate the way my thread gets caught
around the wire tails while stitching. So: Place some cream masking tape over the wire
tails onto the surrounding fabric while stitching, or poke the wire tails through to the
back of the fabric.
View tips for Appliqué and Quilting
here
The instructions in JMD Designs
retail pattern packs are a lot more
detailed than what is given here in this tutorial above.
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