Re: [lace] lacemaking helpers
Hi everyone At the momet my 'useful gadget' is a large plastic mixing bowl... I have just started a Honiton Sampler and have found that my pillow sits nicely onto the bowl similar to a honiton pillow stand (which I'm hoping to get for my birthday in May from DH) This makes balancing everything much easier. [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: I propose a useful thread: Tell us about the handy things you've found in everyday life that have been applied to your lacemaking in a new and helpful way! A couple of years ago, we talked about Clay's tool, which is a swivel-hackle plier made for fly-tying. I discovered that this could be used as a clip-on bobbin when you broke a thread, or if you reached the bitter end of the thread when the lace was almost finished. - To unsubscribe send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] containing the line: unsubscribe lace [EMAIL PROTECTED] For help, write to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: [lace] lacemaking helpers
Replying to myself. is that another 'nearly 50' thing to contend with. I noticed that I didn't sign off the previous message so here goes Celia Mulhearn in a cold, foggy and frosty SE London but where the sun is trying to peep through Celia Mulhearn wrote: Hi everyone At the momet my 'useful gadget' is a large plastic mixing bowl... I have just started a Honiton Sampler and have found that my pillow sits nicely onto the bowl similar to a honiton pillow stand (which I'm hoping to get for my birthday in May from DH) This makes balancing everything much easier. [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: I propose a useful thread: Tell us about the handy things you've found in everyday life that have been applied to your lacemaking in a new and helpful way! A couple of years ago, we talked about Clay's tool, which is a swivel-hackle plier made for fly-tying. I discovered that this could be used as a clip-on bobbin when you broke a thread, or if you reached the bitter end of the thread when the lace was almost finished. - To unsubscribe send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] containing the line: unsubscribe lace [EMAIL PROTECTED] For help, write to [EMAIL PROTECTED] - To unsubscribe send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] containing the line: unsubscribe lace [EMAIL PROTECTED] For help, write to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
RE: [lace] lacemaking helpers
G'day Friends, I have a couple VERY useful little helpers. One is the electrical tool hackle plier which was recommended on this list some years ago (just prior to the swivel plier which comes from the same place). The other is a bush walker's head lamp. When I first looked at these about 3 years ago they were quite expensive at around AUS$40. However, these days I see much cheaper versions at the weekly markets for only about AUS$5. This little lamp has been invaluable when I've been out bush with no power and as it's on your forehead, it points to exactly where you are working. It will work just as well when at home, but as the batteries don't last all that long it's easier to use my halogen lamp. I also use the plastic pockets religiously, but mainly with cross-stitch and petit point when the pattern could be as much as 25 pages large. I keep them all together in one pocket with the thread colour chart on top. That way I can see at a glance which colour I am using. The actual page I am working on is on my desk with the highlighter pen beside it of course. Another very handy hint I can offer to embroiderers is that when you are doing a fine petit point (say 40 sts per inch or more) and it's difficult to locate the spot to start a new thread, find the spot and then immediately stick into it a pearl headed pin. This pin will be quite a bit thicker than your embroidery needle and when removed leaves a visible hole - also very handy for a bookmark if you have to dash off to answer the phone, make a coffee or go to the dunny :) David in Ballarat - To unsubscribe send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] containing the line: unsubscribe lace [EMAIL PROTECTED] For help, write to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: [lace] lacemaking helpers
I used one of this little head lamp things recently, quite good:-) David, how is your big project going. I haven't seen any references to it or follow up pictures for quite a while now. Sue T G'day Friends, I have a couple VERY useful little helpers. One is the electrical tool hackle plier which was recommended on this list some years ago (just prior to the swivel plier which comes from the same place). The other is a bush walker's head lamp. When I first looked at these about 3 years ago they were quite expensive at around AUS$40. However, these days I see much cheaper versions at the weekly markets for only about AUS$5. This little lamp has been invaluable when I've been out bush with no power and as it's on your forehead, it points to exactly where you are working. It will work just as well when at home, but as the batteries don't last all that long it's easier to use my halogen lamp. - To unsubscribe send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] containing the line: unsubscribe lace [EMAIL PROTECTED] For help, write to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: [lace] lacemaking helpers - for those who make petit point to use with lace
In a message dated 2/18/2008 7:16:41 A.M. Eastern Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: I also use the plastic pockets religiously, but mainly with cross-stitch and petit point when the pattern could be as much as 25 pages large. I keep them all together in one pocket with the thread colour chart on top. That way I can see at a glance which colour I am using. The actual page I am working on is on my desk with the highlighter pen beside it of course. For David and others trying to keep their place when using stitching charts, I nominate a colored pencil: If the chart is not colored, and has just symbols - I use a colored pencil (erasable) to color in the most dominant color in the area being worked. That way, all the zigs, zags and openings made by that color can be seen. It makes it easier to see to fill in the stitches in other colors, or if a counting error has occurred. I do not prestitch this dominant area, as it would result in puckers in embroidery and difficulty fitting in the other colors. I stitch the rows in order, starting in center row and all below it, then turn stretcher and chart and work all the rows in top half. I don't use highlighter pens near needlework. Accidents happen! I embroider at a table and sit in a straight chair as the professionals do, with embroidery fabric attached to a stretcher to fit the whole piece. No hoop for me! If petit point silk gauze is the ground fabric - extremely expensive when of best quality from Switzerland - I cut the gauze a little larger than the embroidery will be, and use sewing machine to zig-zag that gauze onto the center a very firmly woven fabric (like raincoat fabric), then cut a window opening in the under fabric (so it looks like a window screen). This larger firmer fabric is what is tacked or stapled to the stretcher. If you make miniatures, this will result in a flat rug or other furnishing for your rooms. This method works for petit point jewelry, as well. Hope some of you have seen exquisite work that combines petit point and lace. It is the sort of thing you rarely see today. Jeri Ames Lace and Embroidery Resource Center **Ideas to please picky eaters. Watch video on AOL Living. (http://living.aol.com/video/how-to-please-your-picky-eater/rachel-campos-duffy/ 2050827?NCID=aolcmp0030002598) - To unsubscribe send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] containing the line: unsubscribe lace [EMAIL PROTECTED] For help, write to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: [lace] lacemaking helpers
WOW! What a wonderful assortment of good ideas and nifty tricks! We all know that our collective wisdom is amazing - all we have to do is ask!! Thanks for a welcome shot-in-the-arm of lace-related emails for the past two days! Let's not let it die down to a dribble again! Clay -- Clay Blackwell Lynchburg, VA USA - To unsubscribe send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] containing the line: unsubscribe lace [EMAIL PROTECTED] For help, write to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
RE: [lace] lacemaking helpers
Hi All, I, too use a plastic pocket for the working diagram copied from the book. At present I am working an edging from one of Elwyn Kenn's books. It sometimes helps to have a piece of cardboard in the pocket too. Although it does not apply so much to lace patterns, I use a highlighter pen when working filet crochet, marking each row as I have worked it - then can see where I have been and where I am going. If I am working a repeat pattern, eg, on an altar cloth edge, I sometimes use a metal plate and magnets (specially made for the purpose) to keep track of where I am up to. Mary Carey Campbelltown, NSW, Australia _ Your Future Starts Here. Dream it? Then be it! Find it at www.seek.com.au - To unsubscribe send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] containing the line: unsubscribe lace [EMAIL PROTECTED] For help, write to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: [lace] lacemaking helpers
What will we call this handy device? Clay's Diagram-Dock maybe ;) over!! The holder even protects the diagrams when I pack up to go to class or to a guild meeting. I love this thing!! To see this, go to... http://tinyurl.com/2vocwm I use 4-page transparent folders with a turn-out sleeve on each 'page' so that groups of papers can be kept together according to whatever project I'm working on. Then I have the reference material - diagrams, my notes, samples of the thread or the lace itself contained, and more accessible for me than if in a single stack. I have a staple-less 'stapler' which is a dandy toy for clipping papers together - it is of no help particularly with lacemaking but it is clever, and I prefer the neat small hole it makes, to the metal staples. -- Bev (near Sooke, BC 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]
RE: [lace] lacemaking helpers
Amen. Hallelujah, Amen!! Can't say enough good things about the tweezers, when it comes to cat hairs!! Clay -- Clay Blackwell Lynchburg, VA USA -- Original message -- From: Beth Mccasland [EMAIL PROTECTED] My list is short and sweet - hemostats or tweezers - for picking cat hairs out. Beth McCasland in the suburbs of New Orleans where we're having spring like weather. [Original Message] From: To: Date: 2/17/2008 4:42:46 PM Subject: [lace] lacemaking helpers Hello Spiders! This list has been unusually quiet lately! Is everyone suffering from the winter blahs, or - for our friends downunder - from the dog days of summer? I propose a useful thread: Tell us about the handy things you've found in everyday life that have been applied to your lacemaking in a new and helpful way! A couple of years ago, we talked about Clay's tool, which is a swivel-hackle plier made for fly-tying. I discovered that this could be used as a clip-on bobbin when you broke a thread, or if you reached the bitter end of the thread when the lace was almost finished. What prompts me to write is that I have a new favorite: It's called a DocU-Pocket, and is like a page protector - except it isn't made for a binder. It's meant to hold pages that people would hang on their cubible walls in the office, with certificates, charts, lists - or even pictures. Also, unlike the page protector, these are rigid. And therein lies their application to lacemakers!! When I work a piece of lace from a book, I generally copy the diagram(s) so I don't have to keep my book open all the time and add wear and tear to the spine. With the DocU-Pocket, I can slide a number of pages into the pocket and the one I need is on top. I can use post-it arrows to help keep my place, and the pages stay in order. It's a wonderful tool... but the best part is that because it is rigid plastic, I can prop it against almost anything and it stays put, the pages don't fall over!! The holder even protects the diagrams when I pack up to go to class or to a guild meeting. I love this thing!! To see this, go to... http://tinyurl.com/2vocwm I'm looking forward to lots of other ideas from all of you! Clay -- Clay Blackwell Lynchburg, VA USA - To unsubscribe send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] containing the line: unsubscribe lace [EMAIL PROTECTED] For help, write to [EMAIL PROTECTED] - To unsubscribe send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] containing the line: unsubscribe lace [EMAIL PROTECTED] For help, write to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
