While reading, I have noticed that there are some people complaining that the Belle Soie by Crescent Colours has been shredding on them. I can honestly say that I have never had this happen. And, if it is going to happen to anyone, it will happen to me. I can also honestly say that I'm a self confessed "Silk Snob" and lately all I have been stitching with on my personal pieces is Belle Soie.
All of this led me to think (yes, that is smoke you smell and it is coming from my brain!) that maybe people are having trouble pulling individual strands of the silk. Even though I don't know all the fancy terms, I thought I'd give a little lesson. Maybe you will learn something and then maybe you won't. So, if you already know about this, please forgive me. I'll just be glad if this helps one person out there!
Did you know that Belle Soie (and a few other silks) have twelve strands?
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| This the Belle Soie Tortoise Shell that I used on my memorial sampler. |
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| The three groups. |
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| On the left are the two other groups. On the right I have already separated the four strands in the third group. |
Once I have distinguished the four strands, I carefully pull out one of the four threads. Then I'm all ready to thread my needle and go to work.
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| One thread down....three more to go! |
Like I said earlier I just hope that this helps just one person!
Oh, and Sharon, feel free to jump in with any additional comments or corrections. After all, you are the expert and the Queen of the Threads!
Happy Stitching!
9 comments:
Jennifer, that did help-thanks! I love silks but don't own very many - Yet :-)
I will remember this......
robin
I would also caution against using 12 feet long sections of floss at one time. ;)
If you cut the Belle Soie at the loop, IIRC, that gives you a one yard length of thread that is perfect to work with.
And change your needles! Old needles sometimes wear out the floss quicker, silk or cotton! :)
Shedding? Hmm. I've never had that happen to me before either.
I agree with the poster above though: changing your needles frequently is very helpful in a smoother stitching experience all around.
Well, I have a couple of thoughts on this. One, be sure you have a proper needle for silk. The eye of the needle needs to be big enough for the strand(s) you are using. The needle eye also needs to be free from snags in the metal. A needle such as that will shread anything. My preference in needles are the Bohin needles from France (sold at many shops) and Piecemakers. Both needles have a 'clean' eye and are very smooth to stitch with. Jennifer has stitched with the silks for years and she's never had a problem.
Two, I agree with Jen on the way you pull out the strands. Her tutorial is dead on. Treat the strands with care, using needles with clean eyes and also ponder the type of linen you are using. Is the linen rough, stiff? Pulling silks through that is like scraping up against a building and expecting to come away without a scratch. I know there are stitchers that enjoy these types of linens so my best advice there, is make sure you use the right needle to fit the weave of the fabric.
Also, are you pulling the strand through the same hole too many times? Let's just examine 40 count, over two threads and in a dense part of stitching. The silk goes through that particular hole four times. Then you go to over one stitching, smaller hole but still the same sized strand. The thread is forced to go through one hole four times, rubbing up against the fiber, fabric and the eye of your needle.
Your mileage may vary..I have a friend that stitches everything over one on 40 ct with Belle Soie. She's never had anything shred. She uses a needle with a clean eye.
Jen, my sweet friend, hope this adds to the conversation.
Happy Stitching,
Sharon Crescent
Crescent Colours
Thank you both, Jennifer and Sharon, for such useful information!
spot on! that's what i do and i use the bohin and piecemakers as well :) like the feel of those needles. I have never had my silk shred on me either. :) but i did have Sharon show me the correct technique of pulling the threads once at stitch-in. :) thanks sharon!
I have had it shred a few times but honestly, I knew it was because I didn't cut the length in half and tried to stitch on rougher material. All those factors do make a difference so I can see how it can fray.
I love Bell Soie silk!!!!! Really love it and have not used it exclusively because of the increased cost of silk but the quality if great, excellent. I am currently using several silks now in a sampler I designed.
I find that I'm spoiled when I use the silks because they feel like butter through the fabric. When I change to a cotton, it's really noticable.
I agree that Bohin and Piecemakers are my favorites.
I did have a fray more than usual when I used R and R fab because it was stiff as croker sack....(ok, I'm from the South LOL) but honestly, I'm sure that added to fraying.
It's a trial, pros and cons of both but thanks for the tips and thank you Sharon too!
Jennifer
Feathers in the Nest
Wow, that is awesome to know as I had no idea....I do just grab a strand and go. I have never had it happen with any silks, but I do tend to tug too tight on my stitch and I know that weakens it.
Thanks, Jennifer for your perfect tutorial it gave me tips that I didn't know and it showed me some ways to improve my stitches....I got inspiration as always from you :)
Sharon...thanks for your advice from the source...you were so sweet to comment for us all.
XOXO
Ma TK
I found this very helpful. I had no idea. I also found Sharon's comments helpful as well. I just got some Belle Soie in the mail so I'll definitely be using your advice.
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