--- David in Ballarat <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > but Z & S twists can be > really important when you are doing a fine Petit > Point, Cross Stitch or > Tapestry. If the thread starts to unply, or become > frizzy when it shouldn't, > then the twist is important to its use, and it means > you have started sewing > with it from the wrong end!
If a thread becomes frizzy when it shouldn't, yes it means you have started sewing from the wrong end -- but that has nothing to do with S & Z twists. Turn an S thread around, and it's still an S twist. Same with the Z thread. It's the spinning of the thread that catches the 'head' of the fiber section in the forming thread, and leaves the 'tail' on the edge of the thread. You want to use the thread 'head first' so all the friction of using the thread rubs down it the same way it was spun. If it is used 'tail first', then all those little end fibers will be rubbed away from the thread with the friction and you get friz. The S & Z twists will show up in embroidery with the sewing habits of the person. If someone tends to roll the needle as the stitches are made, the thread will either untwist or tighten up. The Twist could explain why some threads come apart for a person, and other threads do not. In bobbin lace, we don't have quite the friction on the threads that embroidery does. There is some, however. And, remember, when the threads are wound in pairs, one of them will be headfirst, and one will be tailfirst. Treat the threads as gently as possible so they will remain un-fuzzed in the lace. Thread wear can be seen when we reverse lace a section a couple times. It usually most evident when a thread separates and we are left holding a suddenly unattached bobbin. This event leads to muttered curses, retro lacing or the use of the hackle pliers we recently discussed. <G> Happy lacing, Alice in Oregon -- facing several days of rain - To unsubscribe send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] containing the line: unsubscribe lace [EMAIL PROTECTED] For help, write to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
