Mtg w/Paige & Sarah/?? about 32 ct. linen edges
Question:
- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Well, got together with Paige and Sarah at Paige’s in Richmond this past Sat. Funny how some people you meet(esp. on the Internet) you feel like you’ve known them all your lives. And Sara–she is so similar in personality(obsessive/compulsive/anal retentive) that it’s scary! :-) I learned alot, got to view some great catalogues/magazines and enjoyed the company. We plan to do it again and I -may- go to the Winston-Salem Spirit of Cross Stitch with them… Now, question time. I’m going in pursuit of my material for the Guardian Angel this week and I want some tips for handling the edges of the material while I’m working it. Do you use Fray Check or masking tape or turn it under and stitch or what? I don’t have a sewing machine and hand sewing(except CCS) is for the birds in my book! :-) This is my first attempt on 32 ct. and being my OCAR(obsessive/compulsive/anal retentive) self, everything must be as near perfect as possible. Any suggestions welcome. Ness — Tis a gift to be simple, tis a gift to be free, Tis a gift to find out where you ought to be. And when you find yourself in a place just right, Twill be in the valley of Love and Delight. –Old Shaker Tune
It is best not to use fray check or masking tape around the edges. Suspect anything that is sticky of being acidic, so it is wise not to use it. I don’t like hand stitching either, but blanket stitch around the edges of fabric for cross stitching is an exception. Get someone to show you and please do it. You and your framer will be glad.
Response:
Now, question time. I’m going in pursuit of my material for the Guardian Angel this week and I want some tips for handling the edges of the material while I’m working it. Do you use Fray Check or masking tape or turn it under and stitch or what? I don’t have a sewing machine and hand sewing(except CCS) is for the birds in my book! :-) This is my first attempt on 32 ct. and being my OCAR(obsessive/compulsive/anal retentive) self, everything must be as near perfect as possible.
I used fray check on aida once with rather poor results. YMMV, especially if it takes you less than the three years it took me to complete my project. Well, come to think of it, I probably didn’t lose more than 1 row of squares. If you have room, I’d use masking tape, although I find blanket stitch to be a pretty quick hand stitch. — Tis a gift to be simple, tis a gift to be free, Tis a gift to find out where you ought to be. And when you find yourself in a place just right, Twill be in the valley of Love and Delight. –Old Shaker Tune
I think it’s "come down where you ought to be." Wonderful hymn! Gretchen S
Response:
Now, question time. I’m going in pursuit of my material for the Guardian Angel this week and I want some tips for handling the edges of the material while I’m working it. Do you use Fray Check or masking tape or turn it under and stitch or what?
Serging around the edges is the best method I’ve found. (If you don’t have one, how about a friend? It only takes a few minutes to do). On the very first project I did, I overcasted by hand… and my serger was sitting in my sewing room… duh! Also, the owner of our local stitchery shop has just acquired a serger and insisted on finishing the edges of the Lugana I bought for the project I’m working on now. Pat Mason
Response:
I want some tips for handling the edges of the material while I’m working it. Do you use Fray Check or masking tape or turn it under and stitch or what? I don’t have a sewing machine and hand sewing(except CCS) is for the birds in my book! Ness
Hi. Well, I use a tapestry frame, where you lace the material onto the frame on all four sides so you can do the pulled fabric embroidered laces, and I was taught it has to be drum taut. The traditional method was to do a hem stitch edging, (where you actually turn the edges of the fabric so the hem stitch actually hems it) and do the lacing just inside of this reinforced area. I’m lazy. Instead, I stitch double fold bias tape on all four of the edges, and then run the lacing threads (with adjustable knots) through that to secure it to the frame. Either way reinforces the edge, eliminates raveling on the edges, and neither leaves a sticky or chemical residue behind. But stitching the bias tape over the edges is much faster to do, even by hand than hem-stitching. We are beginners at more than we are experts of.
Response:
Well, got together with Paige and Sarah at Paige’s in Richmond this past Sat. Funny how some people you meet(esp. on the Internet) you feel like you’ve known them all your lives. And Sara–she is so similar in personality(obsessive/compulsive/anal retentive) that it’s scary! :-) I learned alot, got to view some great catalogues/magazines and enjoyed the company. We plan to do it again and I -may- go to the Winston-Salem Spirit of Cross Stitch with them… Now, question time. I’m going in pursuit of my material for the Guardian Angel this week and I want some tips for handling the edges of the material while I’m working it. Do you use Fray Check or masking tape or turn it under and stitch or what? I don’t have a sewing machine and hand sewing(except CCS) is for the birds in my book! :-) This is my first attempt on 32 ct. and being my OCAR(obsessive/compulsive/anal retentive) self, everything must be as near perfect as possible. Any suggestions welcome. Ness — Tis a gift to be simple, tis a gift to be free, Tis a gift to find out where you ought to be. And when you find yourself in a place just right, Twill be in the valley of Love and Delight. –Old Shaker Tune
