Dear thread users, When I wrote about the effect of dyes on thread fibers, I expected to start a discussion, and have been successful. I know you both (and many others) have much experience, with threads and dyes. When I joined the Embroiderers' Guild of America in 1968, some of the first classes I took at their headquarters, then in New York City, were with teachers of various ethnic embroideries. These were teachers experienced in Greek, Swiss, German, Danish embroidery on linen. They actually showed examples that proved to me that it is important to pay attention to how much "coverage" different DMC colors gave, and if the result was "weak", to add a strand. This also proved to be important with wool, when I went on to learn about canvas work from expert teachers. Unfortunately, I did not think to ask about this when on a private tour of the DMC factory in France, near the Switzerland border, about 30 years ago. I do remember seeing the dyeing operation - in fact, every phase of thread production. And since I think the quality standards have slipped a bit in recent years due to pressures from the huge discounters, I think it is very important to keep reminding lacemakers to closely examine threads at point of purchase. In fact, thread quality was discussed in my review of Barbara Ballantyne's book "The Structure of Threads for Lace", in March. Alison, I hope you will love your vintage Singer Featherweight machine. Mine is now 54 years old, and still in good shape, after replacing the foot pedal once. Now, that is what quality used to be all about!! It is always my go-to machine, though I own another newer electric machine and two antique machines that are entirely powered by this human. Kind regards, Jeri Jeri Ames in Maine USA Lace and Embroidery Resource Center -------------------------------------------------------- In a message dated 6/10/2011 5:58:12 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, paternos...@appleshack.com writes:
I have to agree with Alison. In a few threads (Empress Mills cottons and Swiss Maid come to mind) the white threads are measurably finer than the coloured equivalents. Whether that is because the dye adds to the bulk of the coloured threads or the bleach takes away from the white I'm not sure, but definitely it's the coloured threads which are thicker. Brenda On 10 Jun 2011, at 20:41, Alison and Gary Addicks wrote: > "The thread becomes progressively thinner depending on how > much dye is absorbed by the fibers." > > Jeri, this just doesn't make sense to me. Procion dyes and vat dyes which > are routinely used in dyeing cottons adhere to the fiber via chemical bonds, > and while I know the mercerization process (caustic soda bath is one > version) reduces the grist of the fiber, the difference produced by the dye > process, though small, would increase the diameter of fiber, not reduce it. > The dye process is additive, not subtractive. Where am I amiss in this? Brenda in Allhallows www.brendapaternoster.co.uk - To unsubscribe send email to majord...@arachne.com containing the line: unsubscribe lace y...@address.here. For help, write to arachne.modera...@gmail.com. Photo site: http://community.webshots.com/user/arachne2003 - To unsubscribe send email to majord...@arachne.com containing the line: unsubscribe lace y...@address.here. For help, write to arachne.modera...@gmail.com. Photo site: http://community.webshots.com/user/arachne2003
