In a message dated 8/23/04 11:54:34 PM Eastern Daylight Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:
> One, I don't have a lot of money right now. Two, I've never tried > attaching > anything to fabric before, so the first pieces probably won't be very nice > anyway. Three, cheap on eBay doesn't necessarily mean low-quality (not that > I > have any idea how to tell the quality of a piece of fabric in any case). > > That said, I'd try to get better fabric if I had any idea how to tell which > one > that is. It seems like just trying to buy more expensive fabric instead > isn't > the best idea, so for now I'll just get some cheap stuff to practice with, > and > maybe figure out the quality later. <g> > > By the way, does anyone know if cross-stitch fabric is normally higher or > lower > quality than other fabric? > ------ Weronika, You sound angry or frustrated with the responses you've received. Almost all of us have had the problem of limited funds, especially when we were young like you. We remember those years. We are not trying to annoy you when we provide advice from our experience. We are sharing what we have learned. In answer to your first paragraph, I recommend you buy a yard of machine-made lace similar to what you've made, and practice attaching it to any fabric you choose. You will quickly learn what to expect when you go on to attach your carefully-made lace to a fabric. It has been the experience of many that we keep our first laces and show them to others so they can see the progress we have made. It is difficult to determine what you mean by cross-stitch fabric. You could mean Aida, Hardanger, or an even-weave linen, such as Belfast, Cashel, etc. Since you are in the U.S., I recommend you call Nordic Needle at 1-800-433-4321 and request their 2004 Mail Order Catalog (it is free). It is nice to have on hand for comparisons with what you see in stores (you can carry it with you when out physically shopping) or on the internet (you can have it available at your computer). While you are waiting for the Catalog, go to their web site and take a look: www.nordicneedle.com This company generally offers high-quality products. (I give them only "generally", because they do offer the kit from H*ll.) Though they will sell retail to you, they are also wholesale suppliers to the nicer individually-owned needlework stores throughout the U.S. Their original focus was Hardanger, and they have built the business up from there. The owners use the products (though obviously not the kit from H*ll). Another thing you must consider is that various stores carry different qualities of fabrics by the same manufacturer's name. In a large store like W*llM*rt or chain fabric and craft stores, the quality has been watered down, and it becomes apparent to you immediately (if you are experienced) or later when you've owned a piece a while. Cheaper fabrics tend to be heavily "starched" or "sized" to give them the body weight of the better quality. You need to know this for future reference. If there is a synthetic present in a fabric, it may yellow over time. I have noticed pieces in lace collections where the fabric is yellowed, while the attached lace is white. When the term "cheaper" is used, it does not necessarily refer to cost, but to quality. In time, you will learn to judge the "hand" of fabric. You will be able to tell if it is heavily starched or sized, or whether there are synthetics in the fiber mix. Whenever you are out and about, I suggest you stop into stores and learn about the hand of fabrics. When I say "the hand of fabrics", I mean how it feels in your hand. Your fingers are sensitive to lace threads, and they can become sensitive to fabrics. Talk to the shopowners. Ask questions about what you are buying - clerks in chain stores may not be helpful, but individual stores use the products they sell in their classes, and they know how the products perform. Read the labels on the ends of the bolts on which the fabric is wound. Write done the info, if you buy a sample. Someone who really wants to make a study of this might collect something equivalent to "fat quarters" that quilters collect. Label them, and keep them together in an organized way. Come to think of it, this would be **a nice project for a lace club** to develop and make available to members. Pre-determine the size so the collection of fabrics can be orderly, and put a collection together that everyone can refer to when they are thinking of what fabric to select for a project - whether it be a christening gown or heavy-duty bureau scarf. Size of fabrics should be large enough so you can squeeze each piece in your hand. Early home economics textbooks give wonderfull summations of the merits and problems presented by the use of different fabrics/fibers. The above suggestion would be a nice way for modern lacemakers to update the study process. I would like to recommend a book aimed at quilters, but useful to people learning to select fabrics to which they will attach laces: Harriet Hargrave's "From Fiber to Fabric - The Essential Guide to Quiltmaking Textiles" was published by C&T Publishing, 1997, ISBN 1-57120-025-8, original cost was $30. Love the binding of this quality book - it is hard cover with a rounded spine covering the spirals! This book covers consumer expectations, from fiber to fabric, manufacturing processes, finishes, dimensional stability (grain). If you love textiles in general, try to borrow this book through InterLibrary Loan at your local library! To answer your last question, cross stitch fabric can be of the same quality as other fabrics. If you are willing to pay the price, you can get almost any degree of quality you want in any fiber somewhere in the world. I toured the Belfast Linen Mill years ago during some of the worst fighting in the neighborhood, and saw wonderful linens being woven. Photography was not allowed, and some sections were not open to us. They custom weave for some of the most unlikely customers and countries. Why do we not have all linens available in the U.S.? Thank the textile lobby for making life difficult for people who want quality fine needlework products. The greatest insult has been that American textile companies, have tried to convince us that their products containing synthetics are good substitutes for the real thing. Weronika, there are reasons we use the products we use. It has taken the majority of us - those who regularly provide answers on Arachne - years to accumulate experience we pass on to you for free. We have traveled long distances by many means of transportation, stayed in hotels etc., paid tuition, paid dues, used vacation time, bought expensive reference materials and inconvenienced co-workers and families to learn what we pass on to you. Jeri Ames in Maine USA Lace & Embroidery Resource Center - To unsubscribe send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] containing the line: unsubscribe lace [EMAIL PROTECTED] For help, write to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
