Hi Susan: Normally I don’t use support pins in Binche; I have learned tensioning methods that work well for me. Of course, when I am in a class taught by a support pin fanatic, I use them. Life is easier that way.
Here’s the thing - if I understand your description, you’re cloth-stitching across a row inside a motif, at the end you drop the weaver, take the next pair to it and cloth stitch back across the row. When you get to the end, tensioning that row pulls against the first weaver, pulls it away from the edge of the motif, and creates a hole. That does not happen if, while you tension, you hold down that first weaver. The two pairs pull against one another and the tension is nice and even. Now, it does round off the corner of the row a little bit, but you’re not looking for a 90 degree angle anyway; you want a nice, rounded, filled motif. One of the fun things about these types of laces is that you will often make 2 or 3 rows before there’s a pinhole. Yes, it does work! You can make 3 rows, put up a pin, and use that to tension all 3 rows. I find that satisfying and exhilarating, but don’t do it in a class where you’re expected to put in support pins; the teacher will get really excited, and not in a good way. I think the secret when you learn these laces is: 1. Don’t obsess; it will take the joy out of your lacemaking. Tension as best you can and then move on. and 2. Get lots of practice. Many lacemakers just make a few short samples and call it a day. Pick a pattern and make a couple of feet of it; long enough for you to go through the pattern many times, and then you’ll be much more comfortable with the process. Hope this helps. Adele West Vancouver, BC (west coast of Canada) > > Hello All! I am working a small beginner sampler & the weaver changes every > other row. Since I do not know what I am doing (!!), this has lead to small > holes in the slanted edge of the cloth work. While I suspect this is a > tension issue that I must overcome, should I use a support pin at that point > to help keep the newly discarded “weaver turned passive” in place? Remove it > after a few rows? Temporary pins can create holes too so maybe this is a case > of a double edged sword. I am using the most delicious color of pale pink > Aurifil 50 so I would like to make decent lace. Suggestions are welcome. Many > thanks. - 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/
