This component may factor into lace and other threads, and perhaps I shared before, but threads do have "nap" and also their "S" or "Z" twist. Beginning use of a thread from one end or the other can greatly factor in.
An example for those who do not sew is cordoroy or velveteen. Run you hand one way and it is smooth, and run it the other direction and it feels rough. It is the same with many threads and even yarns. Case in point; when I do hand sewing, I often cut the length of thread I need, and thread the needle with the last to come off the spool (esp. with certain brands or certain thread compositions ie: in this instance a synthetic thread is often less cooperative than a natural fiber). Even though the thread will be folded in half to sew, it can make a huge difference in how the thread handles. When I smock, I run the floss through my fingers to feel the nap, and thread the needle so the nap will be lying down/smooth to go through the fabric with the least resistance. This can apply to threads when winding bobbins for bobbin lace, and often become more evident with fibers such as silk, etc. If you work against the nap or twist it can have a tendency to "drag" and weakens the fibers when working. I don't know if anyone has ever noticed thread "leads" coming off a bobbin without weight on it may demonstrate a tendency to curl, or if tensioning they may "resist," and choosing winding direction to begin may factor in. Since both ends of threads are commonly wound it may seem moot, but taking the one end and letting it "unfurl" may help, and from my naive bobbin lace experience, it can be even more important to passives and whether they want to comply or not. This may be less obvious with cotton for instance, but show up in more "temperamental" threads such as linen or silk, Even when knitting I find that yarns need to be allowed to unfurl periodically and the best way to remedy this to my mind when using threads, would be to cut a length and allow it to relax, whether for seconds or whatever times it takes to wind one bobbin. After all in mfg., it is twisted to become the thread, and then twisted again on the spool/ball. May seem moot to some, but I have found it to be a real headache saver when doing repetitive things, and a time saver too. If I smock with thread against the nap, it will wear out much more quickly than with the nap. Also I note that it something that is worked more or less in one direction, and with too much "torque" on the thread, can result in a biased piece or one that will not lie or relax into it's natural harmony, and is an often unnamed factor there also. Just in case it helps. Susan Reishus - To unsubscribe send email to majord...@arachne.com containing the line: unsubscribe lace y...@address.here. For help, write to arachnemodera...@yahoo.com