Ordinarily I wouldn't dream of disagreeing with Barbara Underwood, but in the case of thread, I disagree with her. I've made Bedfordshire with Brok, Egyptian, and Finca. My lace made with Finca was nice and stiff unwashed, but after rinsing it in water, drying and pressing it, it turned into soft fuzzy lace. Rinse lace made with Brok thread in water, dry it and mangle or press it, and it is as limp as Egyptian. The main difference between Brok and Egyptian, I am convinced, is the sizing. Finca, I think, is an inferior thread made with short bits of cotton that has been coated with a strong sizing that is effective only until the first washing. I don't use Finca at all anymore.
This is a subject I've been thinking about for awhile. I wish I knew what the thread manufacturers use for sizing. My handweaving books have some receipes for sizing and I've been thinking I need to do some experiments. Like Barbara, I want stiff Bedfordshire. Sally Schoenberg Farmington New Mexico - To unsubscribe send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] containing the line: unsubscribe lace [EMAIL PROTECTED] For help, write to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
