[lace] Threads for sewing christening gown
Interesting question, and my immediate response is ...Possibly not. In all my sewing experience, I haven't found any machine thread made of linen. It's the nature of the textile that makes it unsuitable for machines. Linen thread tends to be a bit irregular in thickness, and has slubs. It is also not slippery. Thread for machines needs to be very even and smooth, and slide easily through all the gears. A sewing machine makes the thread rub against metal about 20 times before it is sewn in the fabric. Slubs would jam up the works. In history, machine laces didn't become a major commercial venture until cotton thread became widely available (after the development of the cotton gin). The linen thread just would not slide easily through all the slots and gears. Cotton thread did. In hand sewing, a person can deal with the thick and thin parts of the thread. I guess a spool of lace linen thread could be tried in a machine to see how it responds. I've never had the reason to try it. And I have no linen garments to look at to see what the commercial industry uses. One of the better quality thinner linen threads might be strong enough to not break while making one small garment. Has anyone on the Lace List sewn a linen garment? Please speak up. What thread did you use? Alice in Oregon --- where it's changed from cold and icy to cool and wet. - Original Message - From: Dona Bushong bdonama...@gmail.com With renewed energy I've managed to make good progress on yardage that I'm making to go on the bottom of a christening gown. I've decided to go ahead and sew the gown and begin applying the lace that I have made. .. My question deals more with the thread for sewing the gown than with the lace. Both the lace and fabric are linen..I've looked online for linen sewing threads but most of my searches have come up with threads for hand sewing. Will I be able to find linen thread for machine sewing? Dona in Havre de Grace, MD - 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://www.flickr.com/photos/lacemaker/sets/
RE: [lace] Threads for sewing christening gown
H Donna I would use the same thread that I have used to make the lace to sew the finished lace to the material. As your material is linen and your lace is made from linen then there would be no compromise.Plus it would blend in beautifully. Maureen E Yorks UK Where the snow fall from last night is melting under the sunny morning. - 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://www.flickr.com/photos/lacemaker/sets/
[lace] Handicaps
Hi Re: It is always amazing what handicapped (I hope that is a politically-correct term) people can do and I am wondering if other Arachnians have seen or worked with lacemakers with one arm or, as in the case of Ilske's aunt, an arm that is paralyzed. I have taught a very slow learner who was in my class with a carer. The carer also learnt so she could help her. She was always happy and enthusiastic and made yards of the basic torchon fan pattern to put on gifts that she was very proud of. She gained a lot from the sessions being in a normal class and achieving so much. At one time we had a thalidamide victim with one distorted hand and arm coming to our lace group. She uses continental style bobbins and glass headed pins and uses her teeth to pull them out. I have taught others with various problems. Although not really in the category the original post was about arthritis makes lacemaking difficult. I think of all the options regarding sitting position, the various ways of handling bobbins, pinhead size, thickness of thread and describe the options. I also let students try the different equipment. It is only the person with the problem that can decide which of the options is best for her. Also listen to what aspect of making lace is difficult for her and try to think of an answer, it may not work, only she can be the judge, but she will appreciate that you are thinking of her. Learning problems can go hand in hand with physical ones, but don't assume it. The majority of people with physical problems are capable of using their mental capacity to mitigate them. Best wishes to all those having to cope with physical problems, I have arthritis and it is frustrating at times. Alex - 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://www.flickr.com/photos/lacemaker/sets/
Re: [lace] Threads for sewing christening gown
Another major reason why linen threads are not suitable for machine sewing is that they are nearly all S spun. That makes them very suitable for BL because most BL has more twists than crosses in its construction and the twist action will tend to tighten a Z spun thread but loosen an S spun thread. However, sewing machines are all made to take Z spun thread. Even if you do find a nice smooth linen it will tend to come unspun with the action of the sewing machine and the machine will definitely not be happy. Really you only have two choices - use cotton (not polyester!) in your sewing machine or use the linen thread you used to make the lace and attach it by hand. Having spent a lot of time making the lace I personally would choose to attach it by hand even if the dress itself is linen fabric sewn together with cotton. Brenda On 26 Jan 2013, at 08:14, lacel...@frontier.com wrote: In all my sewing experience, I haven't found any machine thread made of linen. It's the nature of the textile that makes it unsuitable for machines. Linen thread tends to be a bit irregular in thickness, and has slubs. It is also not slippery. Thread for machines needs to be very even and smooth, and slide easily through all the gears. A sewing machine makes the thread rub against metal about 20 times before it is sewn in the fabric. Slubs would jam up the works. In history, machine laces didn't become a major commercial venture until cotton thread became widely available (after the development of the cotton gin). The linen thread just would not slide easily through all the slots and gears. Cotton thread did. 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://www.flickr.com/photos/lacemaker/sets/
Re: [lace] Threads for sewing christening gown
The one site I found which sold linen sewing thread did say that it has to be waxed with bees wax before using. Probably for this very reason- the coming unspun. Will that bit of wax become a problem later on? Will it eventually collect dirt and discolor? I do think my best option is to sew the garment itself with a cotton thread and hand sew the lace onto the garment with linen. Next question - do I wash my lace before attaching it to the garment? I will, of course, wash the fabric first. Thank you all for your thoughts. Dona Another major reason why linen threads are not suitable for machine sewing is that they are nearly all S spun. That makes them very suitable for BL because most BL has more twists than crosses in its construction and the twist action will tend to tighten a Z spun thread but loosen an S spun thread. However, sewing machines are all made to take Z spun thread. Even if you do find a nice smooth linen it will tend to come unspun with the action of the sewing machine and the machine will definitely not be happy. - 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://www.flickr.com/photos/lacemaker/sets/
[lace] Re: Threads for sewing christening gown
thread for sewing Christening gown (preferring the thread is linen, as) both the lace and fabric are linen. In French Heirloom, it is typical to use 80 thread and an 8/60 needle, which is too fine for linen thread. You don't have to use French Heirloom techniques and if not, then can use 50 (or finer) thread. I have never seen linen thread used because of it's inconsistency and tendency to break, and of course sewing is done at higher speeds and with tension. It really isn't flexible enough to go round the bobbin hook and catch at the eye of the needle in tight and repetitive movement that happen with machine sewing (machine timing can also factor in). You can find 50wt. (or finer) linen thread, so then you could consider setting your sewing machine at a slow speed (if you have that option, or with foot control), and it becomes imperative that you use a Topstitch needle (titanium is likely best) in a size that can accommodate the thread, which more likely would be an 11-12 needle (perhaps a 10). Some of it depends upon the weight of your actual linen (tissue linen or is it heavier?) and the 'heft' of your lace (perhaps finer or heavier than 120wt. for instance, plus your lace design saturation, etc.). In the main, you want a project that is pure(ly linen), but keep in mind that you also want something that will stay together long term, so I would strongly consider a fine cotton, or even silk thread (which is quite strong). Generally French Heirloom techniques are done on lawn or batiste, and many linens tend to run heavier (even in handkerchief/tissue linen), plus with a heavier lace that linen thread provides you will have to test it out thoroughly for hand and drape. My guess is that it would be ideal to sew it in a standard way with perhaps a bit of entredeaux, etc. as technique here and there, not as a solely French technique. I would also consider finding cotton organdy if you need any interfacings. It is the standard way things were done, not long ago, and more authentic, or perhaps tissue linen would suffice. One has to think not only about construction, but also outcome with all pieces merged, and endurance for generations to come, of which cotton or silk thread would well serve. HTH, Susan Reishus - 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://www.flickr.com/photos/lacemaker/sets/
[lace] linen christening gown
Hello All! Please forgive if I am asking the wrong question here--but is it possible to hand sew the garment with linen thread? My curiosity stems from a (vintage) child's silk dress that I own. It is completely hand-sewn. When I checked Hedgehog Handworks the finest linen thread offered is 100/3. Wm. Booth, Draper offers 90/2 it says on his site that it is suitable for sewing handkerchief weight linen. Usual disclaimers, no relationship to the sellers, satisfied customer etc. There are books, online resources (occasionally) classes available if you decide to work in hand. Sincerely, Susan Hottle, Palm Beach Gardens, FL, USA - 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://www.flickr.com/photos/lacemaker/sets/
RE: [lace] Re: Threads for sewing christening gown
Must admit I had only got as far as thinking about attaching the lace to the garment and not sewing the garment together to start with. So ignore my comments. Maureen E Yorks 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://www.flickr.com/photos/lacemaker/sets/
Re: [lace] knitted lace
Thanks for the site Lorelei, the shawl is absolutely gorgeous. Plans for an Estonian lace scarf are in the making although I may change my mind and go for the gold (shawl that is). Norma http://normasneedlez.blogspot.com http://sistersstitching.blogspot.com NATA #847 Your worth consists in what you are and not in what you have. --- On Tue, 22/1/13, Lorelei Halley lhal...@bytemeusa.com wrote: - 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://www.flickr.com/photos/lacemaker/sets/
[lace] Handicaps
We had a lady in our lace group who had cerebral palsy. She was in an electric-powered wheelchair, which she could manipulate with a lever operated by her right hand, which was the only part of her body she could use. She couldn't speak and had a conversation book which she held down with her left hand and turned the pages and pointed to what she wanted to say with her right. She was very intelligent and did all sorts of crafts which could be done with one hand and wrote her life story using a computer. She lived in an independent living bungalow with half a dozen other disabled people, where they did as much for themselves as they could, but had a live-in carer. She loved her cat. She made various edgings and mats in lace. The bobbins had to be wound for her and the pricking put on the pillow. She couldn't hold the bobbins, but would move them by pushing them where she wanted them, including making twists and crosses, with her right hand and a helper put the pins in. She came to the group every week until she died in her sleep in her eighties. Jean in Poole, Dorset, 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://www.flickr.com/photos/lacemaker/sets/
[lace] What thread and/or pattern would you use?
Hello to One and All! Today my DD Leah turns 16. I want to start making the lace for her wedding gown. I've looked at so many patterns that I can't think anymore. I've been checking patterns for about 6 months. Does anyone have any suggestions as to patterns to use and the thread. I've done all kinds of lace but torchon is my favorite. Hugs, Susie Rose For a 15% off coupon for the month of January use coupon code 2013JAN15 at my Etsy store: http://www.susierosedesigns.etsy.com Buy quality foods in bulk at a lower price. http://www.zayconfoods.com/refer/zf145544 - 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://www.flickr.com/photos/lacemaker/sets/
Re: [lace] What thread and/or pattern would you use?
I think the design used in the latest IOLI is beautiful - have a look at that Sue sueba...@comcast.net -Original Message- From: Susie Rose Sent: Saturday, January 26, 2013 3:08 PM Today my DD Leah turns 16. I want to start making the lace for her wedding gown. http://www.flickr.com/photos/lacemaker/sets/ - 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://www.flickr.com/photos/lacemaker/sets/
Re: [lace] What thread and/or pattern would you use?
There is a lovely Tønder pattern called Little Hearts that begs to be used for a wedding. There is a similar pattern in Bucks as well. I know that Little Hearts is in the Skovgaard book which has long been out of print, and Rebecca is a similar design which is found in Stott and Cook's 100 Traditional Bobbin Lace Patterns. Clay On 1/26/2013 4:08 PM, Susie Rose wrote: Hello to One and All! Today my DD Leah turns 16. I want to start making the lace for her wedding gown. I've looked at so many patterns that I can't think anymore. I've been checking patterns for about 6 months. Does anyone have any suggestions as to patterns to use and the thread. I've done all kinds of lace but torchon is my favorite. - 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://www.flickr.com/photos/lacemaker/sets/
[lace] What thread and/or pattern would you use?
Whereas it will take a while to make the lace, and I can appreciate why you are wanting to start now, unless she has an arranged marriage planned and very definite, unlikely to change, ideas about the type of dress she would like which she has already told you about, I would hold fire. I was hoping that one of my daughters (now 25 and 28 respectively) would wear the veil I made for my City Guilds and the tatted headdress my mother made for me - but neither has married and it may be years before they are in a (financial) position to marry. I had very firm ideas as to the style of dress I was going to make and wear for my wedding - I couldn't find the right fabric and changed my ideas to an overblouse and long skirt (which could be, and was, worn again several times) instead - this, if my mother had been a bobbin lacemaker (she was a tatter, and later in life took up needlelace) and had spent years making lace for me, would have been a potential disaster. To answer your original question, the thread you would use would depend on the fabric the dress is made from, both in fibre and colour. You may choose ivory for the lace now, she may choose oyster for the dress in the future, the two may not suit each other. Lace is in fashion for wedding dresses now, but in a year or so it may not be, and fashion tends to go in 20 year cycles. There are lace items that can be made - garters, flowers, jewellery, tiaras, horseshoes, etc - that can be made once the couple have chosen their wedding colour scheme and may be treasured more than lace on the dress itself. The dress has to be your daughter's dream dress, not the dress that you would wish her to have - we all want our little girls to look the perfect princess, but if you concentrate on making that day, if it happens, her day rather than everybody else's, and support her in her choices without making them for her, she will have truly flown the nest but will come back to you when she needs advice in the future. In message 1359234485.25305.yahoomail...@web141005.mail.bf1.yahoo.com, Susie Rose susierose_89...@yahoo.com writes Hello to One and All! Today my DD Leah turns 16.? I want to start making the lace for her wedding gown.? -- Jane Partridge - 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://www.flickr.com/photos/lacemaker/sets/
Re: [lace] What thread and/or pattern would you use?
Susie I am having the same problem picking something for my Grandaughter. I will be watching this thread closely From: Susie Rose susierose_89...@yahoo.com To: Arachne lace@arachne.com Sent: Saturday, January 26, 2013 3:08 PM Subject: [lace] What thread and/or pattern would you use? Hello to One and All! Today my DD Leah turns 16. I want to start making the lace for her wedding gown. I've looked at so many patterns that I can't think anymore. I've been checking patterns for about 6 months. Does anyone have any suggestions as to patterns to use and the thread. I've done all kinds of lace but torchon is my favorite. Hugs, Susie Rose For a 15% off coupon for the month of January use coupon code 2013JAN15 at my Etsy store: http://www.susierosedesigns.etsy.com Buy quality foods in bulk at a lower price. http://www.zayconfoods.com/refer/zf145544 - 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://www.flickr.com/photos/lacemaker/sets/ - 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://www.flickr.com/photos/lacemaker/sets/
[lace] Re: Linen Christening Gown
possible to hand sew the garment with linen thread (100/3)? Wm. Booth, Draper offers 90/2 says it is suitable for sewing handkerchief weight linen. Susan Hottie Hand sewing has so many variables. Sewing something together, or using it for drawn work, couched gimp, decorative stitches to anchor lace headers or insertion, ad infinitum. Additionally, I find that 'men' who sell things, whether textiles, thread, or sewing machines, may SAY something is possible and be told it via a supplier and/or training, but within practical application, it can be a stretch or not even applicable. Most hand sewing is about using something invisibly to merge things together, vs. embroidery for embellishment. The 33 weight sounds quite thick---45 might be more tolerable as many standard sewing threads are nowadays in the 50 range. And then some threads are given a wt. that varies considerably, also. As I mentioned, handkerchief linen typically requires 80 (and often 90) thread. I hope you let us know how it works out, as it is always nice to get more info. Best, Susan Reishus - 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://www.flickr.com/photos/lacemaker/sets/
Re: [lace] What thread and/or pattern would you use?
Hi Susie, I too wanted to make lace for my youngest daughter's future wedding but neither she nor I had any idea what kind of dress she would want and so I began yardage for a wedding veil when she was still in high school. I chose a torchon pattern about 2 wide and used Metler 60/2 cotton thread. Over the next 5 years I made 8 yards. I used all but 13 when I made the veil. I also made her garter and lace for a hanky. Finally I made a square mat that was open in the center for the bridal pillow and after the wedding I took the mat off the pillow and put a picture of the bride and groom in the center, framed it and gave to the bride and groom. There are lots of ways to use lace in a wedding besides on the dress. It is a very rewarding endeavor and I'm sure you will enjoy making lots of lace for your daughter. Best Regards, Carol Melton Valley of the Sun Phoenix, AZ. USA where it has been raining off and on for 2 days. We have had almost 1 and 1/4. It is supposed to be wet until Tuesday and then clear off. If this keeps up the desert will have a profusion of wild flowers in the spring!!! - 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://www.flickr.com/photos/lacemaker/sets/
