You can see there is variation in the silk so if you are one of those people who don't like striping in a design, simply switch the direction of the second piece when realigning them. Sharon did this and then I tried it myself on an upcoming design and it is beautiful. You get an aged appearance without stripes. I like the stripes/banding on rooftops and some other things but now I am sold on this other way of using overdyed as well.
Another tip. . . . . . . use a good needle! If the eye of the needle is rough you'll have problems. And too, cut the length in half if you don't like stitching with long pieces. When it is time to "lengthen" your thread in the needle don't pull on the needle. Instead move the needle by hand up the length of the silk. All of these tips should make stitching with silk super easy and give you beautiful stitches that sit nicely on top of the fabric.
One more thing. . . . . that is a look at the cocoa linen in the background. I love it! It also comes in 35 count in which case you would use one strand of the silk.
Happy Stitching,
Diane
Diane...thank you so much for taking the time to educate me on the proper stitching method with Belle Soie silks. I am a very inpatient stitcher so if it doesn't go easy the first time I want nothing to do with it! I am currently using this brand of silk thread and have found that I really don't like it...but through reading this entry in your blog I now will admit that I need to take a little extra time to treat my floss with a little TLC. *hangs head in shame*
ReplyDeleteThank you so much.
Oh and I love, LOVE this new color! I must have it!!
Peggy Lee. . . . you will certainly change your mind if you follow these simple steps. I had a learning curve too but once you get the hang of it you won't want to stitch with anything else! Thanks for your comment.
ReplyDeleteI have never tried this thread - Now you have my interest - Beautiful color - :)
ReplyDeleteThank you for the explanation. I am a xstitcher from the old days where there was few choices. I quit from frustration and lack of choices.
ReplyDeleteNow there are so many exciting choices for fabric colors, thread, and all of the patterns.
I am soon to be an addict again. Please continue your schooling for us newbees...K
I ditto the excellant advice. I do not stitch too often with silk, but when I do...ahhhhh!
ReplyDeleteThanks for explaining. When reading I stumble on a line I don't understand:
ReplyDeletesimply switch the direction of the second piece when realigning them.
I read this line over and over but still dont know what it means LOL Wish my home language was English.
My problem with silk are my rough hands from too much housework. So I only stitch with silk on "good days", and there is only one "silk" project at the time. The other projects are with cotton threads. For me this is a good system and prevents me from frustration.
ReplyDeleteLiebe Grüße aus Deutschland von Anja
Excellent comments about stitching with silks...I love the feel of them also and you cannot beat Belle Soie~~ The coverage is wonderful and the pull makes you want to keep stitching...ONce I got the hang of pulling the thread out of the bundle, mine never fray now. And the advise about the needle is spot on. Having a good needle is pivotal.. Thanks again fo rthe great advise! Faye
ReplyDeleteCarin. . . .I was having trouble finding the right words to explain this part. What I meant was rather that place the two strands together as they were pulled from the set of twelve, reverse the direction of one of the strands so that they were opposite each other. As in "head to toe". That way the color will look more variegated as you stitch. Does that make better sense?
ReplyDeleteAnja. . . . I have trouble with dry and rough hands in the winter too. So about 15 minutes before I stitch I apply hand cream and concentrate it into my fingertip area. It really helps. In fact I keep a small tube of the lotion in my stitching box. :)
ReplyDeleteDiane thank you. NOW I understand what you mean !! I'm going to give it a try when I start on these. Thery are great designs and I love stitching designs in only one color.
ReplyDeleteI have a large collection of silks in my stash, but I have such problems with dry hands that I rarely stitch with them, as the silk snags on my hands, and makes my hands even worse.
ReplyDeleteI love stitching with silks, and especially Belle Soie. I'm just starting a new project and will try the tip to switch the directions of the two strands of floss. I didn't want the "stripey" look -- but do want an aged look to the project. Thanks.
ReplyDelete