Dear Sue, I would add to this. I have two cloth stitch tapes on the side of my altar cloth pattern. I actually measured the distance the worker pair went per pass, multiplied it by the number of passes per motif, so I had an idea of the amount needed for the worker pair. I then multiplied that figure by 1.5 so I could go without adding a pair and allow for twists and inaccuracies. This is not a foolproof method, and I suggest doubling the figure you get for the actual use to allow for the way lace eats up thread, but it is a start. I keep notes on how much thread I wind on, and how much is left over so I know if my method works. Usually I wind too much thread, but that is better than the alternative in my opinion. I'm using linen, and that's relatively cheap. If I were using an expensive thread, I might think differently. Thread is the cheapest thing we use to make lace.
When I know how much to put on a bobbin, and it's a number of yards, but could be meters, I wind the amount on a yardstick first, and put the right amount on the bobbin. When I'm done, I measure how much is left, roughly on the bobbins if it's significant, so I can be more accurate the next time. I don't do this for everything, certainly, but when I'm doing the same pattern over and over, this record keeping can help winding a more accurate amount of thread the next time around for the same patterns, and I'm making 3 strips of each size. Lyn from Lancaster, Pennsylvania, USA "My email sends out an automatic message. Arachne members, please ignore it. I read your emails." Bev wrote: >For a pattern for a garment, using a minimal number of bobbins, the broad >answer is 'lots' of thread. > >One can get a good idea of the amounts per passive by placing a single >thread all along the curving trail, then measuring that thread. I do this >for the entire length if it is a small Russian tape pattern, could get away >with measuring a quarter of the design if it is large, multiply by 4 for >the length per passive bobbin. >Allow more thread on the passive edge pairs for the extra twist, if using >CTCT at the edges, and especially for the passive pair that will depart >with the weaver to do any fillings, and though it seems a small amount >allow for the tethers on all bobbins as well! >Hope this helps. >Bev in Shirley BC, near Sooke on beautiful Vancouver Island, west coast of >Canada > - To unsubscribe send email to [email protected] containing the line: unsubscribe lace [email protected]. For help, write to [email protected]. Photo site: http://www.flickr.com/photos/lacemaker/sets/
