What technique have you always wanted to learn?

6 Responses to What technique have you always wanted to learn?

1. 

   jmp on June 3, 2007 at 9:14 am

   You’ve answered some questions for me. 1. I too have rough cuticles and have a problem with silk. I am always slathering my hands with creme when I stitch with silk (actually with all fibers). 2. Who sews buttons. That’s for the tailor to do. 3. I too am a leftie . . . . never thought that was a problem stitching with silk (I guess I am unconscious) — another obstacle for a leftie (or is it that I just don’t know perfection)!!
2. 

   jmp on June 3, 2007 at 9:15 am

   Mary Ann –
   The leftie problem isn’t with all silks, just with some silk because of the direction of the twist.
   The only one I know I can’t use with any ease because of this is Trebizond.
3. 

   jmp on June 3, 2007 at 9:16 am

   Thank you so much for clearing that up. My stash of Trebizond is small(a mere quart size zip lock bag) — but I do love the colors. I thought it unravelled for everyone. Whoever thought that working with a little “cord” could be so difficult. I guess I will use it for small areas only … until my stash is used up. BTW, love your blog — nuts about needlepoint has been my friend for many years!!
4. 

   jmp on June 3, 2007 at 9:17 am

   Janet: I have always wanted to learn the basics of shadow stitching. Exactly, what is it and how do you do it?

   Thanks, Claire
5. 

   jmp on June 3, 2007 at 9:17 am

   Claire –
   Great question. Shadow stitching is actually MUCH simpler than you might think. It’s just using threads which are considerably thinner than usual to stitch a canvas.
   The light coverage allows the painting to show through. It works incredibly well on canvases which have really detailed painting, like many of the ones from HP Designs.
   It also makes a really neat background.
   Pretty much any stitch will work, but I would stay away from layered stitches like cross stitches. I would also make my thread thinner, the denser the coverage on canvas. For example if you are going to do Basketweave in shadow stitching I wouldn’t use more than one strand.
   I have a friend who did a Lee’s Needle Arts geisha in this technique. She was skeptical, but loved the result.
   There are a couple of post about shadow stitching on the blog, I’m adding a category on the technique, so they are easy to find.
6. 

   jmp on June 3, 2007 at 9:18 am

   Hi Janet
   For Japanese embroidery you twist your own silks. They do tend to loose their twist during stitching but you are taught how to maintain the twist. Can’t do much about the sharp needles thought, they really do need to be sharp.
   CA