Linen Thread

Expect it to shred readily. I haven't found that shorter lengths made much difference. I have found that using a slightly large needle (with a larger eye) helps guard against abrasion so quickly.

I love the look of linen thread, but it does require a bit of patience.

Dianne

Thanks Dianne. I've been playing a little with it and so far haven't had too much trouble, but using a needle with a larger eye sounds like a very good idea.. I'm off to find the next size.

Lucille

Remember linen is a directional thread - it works a lot easier if you pay attention to the grain (i.e. thread the end coming off the spool/card through your needle and work from there.)

I moisten the thread with water (distilled) to make it behave somewhat better.

Linen thread can be a bear to work with, but worth the effort. However, if you're working with the DMC linen thread you may decide to forget it - the only way I can use that thread is to ply it with the regular floss. Even then, use short lengths (12" or so.)

Phyllis Maurer

Please tell us what sampler you are doing. I'm always curious to see the chart when someone asks a question about it. Sincerely, Mary Ann Goodin

It's an old (dated 1986) chart that I've had forever called Shadows, from The Cross-Eyed Cricket. I found it a long time ago on e-bay. It's basically a background of regular ABC's and numbers and has a black silhouette in the foreground of a young girl with needlework in her lap. I thought doing the background lettering with the linen would make the silhouette stand out nicely.

So far it's going nicely.

Lucille

Adding to my own note, I decided to google it and found a link to the design I'm doing----

Oooooh, can I have it when you're done? That's a lovely piece.

My great aunt used to do silhouettes of early 1900s ladies with pen/ink. They were gorgeous and I always wished she would do some for me. Dianne

Sounds nifty. If you were thinking of recycling the chart.....

I think we need to establish a pass it along list! C

What a great idea. You have my heartfelt thanks and the promise of my next born (can't say first) for coming up with a great solution to a dilemma. I was kind of wimping out and ready to say: Why don't the two of you work it out amongst yourselves?"

Just let me know and I'll be delighted to put a little yellow sticky right on top, with the name and address of the lucky winner.

By the way, I'm delighted that everyone likes my choice.

Lucille

Very nice. I had a look at the project and I think that same one or one very similar to it was also in a cross stitch magazine many years ago and at the time I thought it would be nice to do. I am going to put it on my "find" list next time I go through my magazines to see if my memory is correct. Any one remember it?

I found it...The design is featured in the 1992 premier issue of Better Homes and Gardens "Treasures in Needlework" as the editors favorite project but there is no chart. At the time. I noted that the design was very similar to a silhouette in Cross Stitch and Country Crafts that featured a girl and a quilt design that says "The best kind of sleep beneath heaven above is under a quilt handmade with Love"...that design was later in the hardcover book 101 Best Loved Designs --

Since Cheryl is spending a lot of time in rinks right now, and I'm chugging along on deadline stuff, Cheryl can have it first, because I'm not getting to anything new any time soon.

Still need to finish the baby present and the housewarming present, a few Christmas presents, then the belated wedding gift, and when all that is done, I have an MLI to do for a 2007 birthday. THEN I can finally think about doing something for me.

That should have read the three of you. Now it's down to two and Dianne actually asked first by a very few minutes. I wouldn't dare to decide who is number one so it's still up to you guys.

Just let me know.

Oh, I don't want the chart. I want your finished sampler! (evil grin) Dianne

Do you think you can afford me? Aren't you one of the people who agree that one should never underestimate what the finished piece is worth? heeheehee

Lucille

Actually, Dianne has first dibs!

Cheryl

Spew! sounds of great amusement and joy!

Cheryl

As I said, I'm willing to be last in line because my stitching plate is overfull. As long as I see it eventually.