Hi Elise -
Generally speaking, we are encouraged to have our fansticks "in hand"
before we begin the lace, so that we can modify the pattern to fit the
sticks, if necessary.
But fortunately, Louise Colgan has a very nice man who actually makes
fansticks to accommodate her fans. He is John Aebi, and you can reach
him at [email protected]. This address was good in 2006, so if it is no
longer working, you might write to him at 18 Stayman Ct., Lafayette, IN
47905.
Clay
Elise and Scott Hays wrote:
I have been working on Louise Colgan's torchon fan from her book "Bobbin
Lace Fans" and have come up with a couple of questions. I am using Egyptian
Cotton 36/2 and it looks like it might end up looking a tiny bit skimpy in the
cloth stitch trails. If I make it again using the same thread, I will probably
add a pair or two in the trail. It is difficult to tell while all the pins are
still in and it is only half-way finished, but in case it does look thin, I
wondered if using an afficot might help. After reading the discussions about
the afficot, it sounds as though it burnishes the fibers by mashing them down,
causing them to flatten and mat together. I would think that would give a
cloth stitch area a denser look. I would probably try it on a sample piece of
cloth stitch first, but I was curious if anyone else had ever solved a similar
problem using the burnishing technique.
I have really appreciated all the videos and explanations of tallies,
(and David, I got a kick out of your New England Patriots sweatshirt!) Now I
wonder if someone could help me with a few hints on tensioning headside fans.
I seem to have a problem getting a nice curve in the warp threads. If I pull
too tightly the cloth stitch fans (or in this case hearts) have very straight
warp threads which kind of ruins the curving outline of the headside. If I try
to tension more gingerly, it tends to look bunched up and uneven and I get an
overwhelming urge to yank the threads straight! I particularly noticed this
problem when I was working with linen. I love the hand and crispness of linen,
but it was very difficult for me to tension--I think from the slubbiness of
it. The cotton slides into place with less effort, but I am still not
satisfied with how the headside looks. Any ideas?
My last question is about fan sticks. Where can I get them? I have only
seen a few websites here in the U.S. that mention them and there seems to be
no variety. Is there anyone who has information on where I may find a supplier
with an assortment of stick sizes, styles, and materials? And for those of you
who have made and mounted lace fans, what did you prefer-- a contrasting stick
color and thread color, or matching the color of stick to thread as closely as
possible. I know it really boils down to personal preference, but any
guidelines or tips would be appreciated!
TIA
Elise in Maine, U.S.A.
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