In message <654178.80006...@web51103.mail.re2.yahoo.com>, Dona Bushong
<dmbush...@yahoo.com> writes
My first question concerns the thread. The pattern calls for Egyptian Cotton
80/2. As I said though, I'm putting this on linen. Does one usually mix
fibers for the lace and fabric? I know from knitting and spinning that
mixing of fibers can give different results when it comes to laundering. And
as I hope this will get passed down from my daughters to their children, will
the different fibers age differently?
I'm working a Bucks piece (a one-off, of my own design) at the moment
and using linen thread which is at the thick end of comfortable for the
grid - when I hit a slub it is hard going. (Yes, I know, I could have
used a larger grid but I want a denser effect on this one, I also have
reasons for the thread choice!). The particular thread (Texere's Galway
Linen) behaves the same as DMC Broder Machine - untwists with the
movement of the bobbins so I have to keep a constant watch that the
threads are not about to fall apart on me (which has happened a couple
of times).
I personally prefer to use a glazed cotton for Bucks, but find the
William Hall 80/2 cotton produces a good result without the untwisting
problem.
As a weaver, you will know that there is a difference in the "handle" of
the finished lace between lace and linen - and the same will go for the
robe itself. The amount of drape and creasing you want may be a deciding
factor between the two fabrics. If the robe is likely to be used in a
hot climate, then fine linen may be a good choice, but cotton fabric may
be a lot easier to care for and may give a nicer feel against the baby's
skin.
Because you cannot expect to be there when your gr.gr.gr.gr
grandchildren are using the robe, I would go for a match between fabric
and lace threads, to make washing/care as easy as possible for someone
who may not have our knowledge, and would definitely not add the hassle
of having to remove the lace from the robe before washing, then put it
back, to the schedule of a busy new mother who may not be the best of
needlewomen! Handing down washing instructions with the robe is a good
idea, as long as it is kept up to date with the availability of washing
products over the next hundred-or-so years.
We have two robes - one made from my mother-in-law's (cotton) wedding
dress, worn by my husband and eldest daughter, and a smocked silk robe
and bonnet I made for my younger daughter (before I started making
lace).
As for the effect of the gimp round the honeycomb, without seeing the
pattern, I would work a small sample first, looking at the effect of
doubling and stop-start, and decide which looks best. Double would at
least mean that the threads are continuous, and less likely to come
astray over the washings to come!
--
Jane Partridge
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