Could it be just a trick of the eye? That the darker shades appear finer and so to get the same visual effect an additional thread is added, or is there a measurable physical difference?
On 11 Jun 2011, at 05:36, jeria...@aol.com wrote: > Dear thread users, > > When I wrote about the effect of dyes on thread fibers, I expected to start > a discussion, and have been successful. I know you both (and many > others) have much experience, with threads and dyes. > > When I joined the Embroiderers' Guild of America in 1968, some of the first > classes I took at their headquarters, then in New York City, were with > teachers of various ethnic embroideries. These were teachers experienced in > Greek, Swiss, German, Danish embroidery on linen. They actually showed > examples that proved to me that it is important to pay attention to how much > "coverage" different DMC colors gave, and if the result was "weak", to add a > strand. This also proved to be important with wool, when I went on to > learn about canvas work from expert teachers. > > Unfortunately, I did not think to ask about this when on a private tour of > the DMC factory in France, near the Switzerland border, about 30 years > ago. I do remember seeing the dyeing operation - in fact, every phase of > thread production. And since I think the quality standards have slipped a > bit > in recent years due to pressures from the huge discounters, I think it is > very important to keep reminding lacemakers to closely examine threads at > point of purchase. In fact, thread quality was discussed in my review of > Barbara Ballantyne's book "The Structure of Threads for Lace", in March. > > Alison, I hope you will love your vintage Singer Featherweight machine. > Mine is now 54 years old, and still in good shape, after replacing the foot > pedal once. Now, that is what quality used to be all about!! It is always > my go-to machine, though I own another newer electric machine and two > antique machines that are entirely powered by this human. > > Kind regards, Jeri > > Jeri Ames in Maine USA > Lace and Embroidery Resource Center > -------------------------------------------------------- > > In a message dated 6/10/2011 5:58:12 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, > paternos...@appleshack.com writes: > > I have to agree with Alison. > > In a few threads (Empress Mills cottons and Swiss Maid come to mind) the > white threads are measurably finer than the coloured equivalents. Whether > that is because the dye adds to the bulk of the coloured threads or the > bleach takes away from the white I'm not sure, but definitely it's the > coloured > threads which are thicker. > > Brenda > > On 10 Jun 2011, at 20:41, Alison and Gary Addicks wrote: > >> "The thread becomes progressively thinner depending on how >> much dye is absorbed by the fibers." >> >> Jeri, this just doesn't make sense to me. Procion dyes and vat dyes > which >> are routinely used in dyeing cottons adhere to the fiber via chemical > bonds, >> and while I know the mercerization process (caustic soda bath is one >> version) reduces the grist of the fiber, the difference produced by the > dye >> process, though small, would increase the diameter of fiber, not reduce > it. >> The dye process is additive, not subtractive. Where am I amiss in this? > > Brenda in Allhallows > www.brendapaternoster.co.uk > > - > To unsubscribe send email to majord...@arachne.com containing the line: > unsubscribe lace y...@address.here. For help, write to > arachne.modera...@gmail.com. Photo site: > http://community.webshots.com/user/arachne2003 > > - > To unsubscribe send email to majord...@arachne.com containing the line: > unsubscribe lace y...@address.here. For help, write to > arachne.modera...@gmail.com. Photo site: > http://community.webshots.com/user/arachne2003 - To unsubscribe send email to majord...@arachne.com containing the line: unsubscribe lace y...@address.here. For help, write to arachne.modera...@gmail.com. Photo site: http://community.webshots.com/user/arachne2003
