Going nuts

I worked the previously mentioned freebie on stretcher bars and was appalled that it gotten so skewed that none of the sides are perfectly straight. In an attempt to get even edges, I did something really stupid -- I cut a border of

12 threads, folded it leaving 4 threads as a visible border, did some herringbones (is that a word???) in that area to attach the flap and pulled some more.

Is is too late to block it?

Is it worth worrying about since it'll be going on a purse?

Reply to
anne
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You should make sure Ellice sees this. . .

Reply to
lewmew

how would I do that????

I'm in an all too frequent obsessive/compulsive mood and didn't wait for advise. I'm also in quick and dirty mode so I backed the piece with fusible webbing instead of stitching it down and then said a bunch of of nasty words when side 2 wouldn't adhere to the placemat that'll form the front of a tote bag like purse. Spent the last hour or more trying to decide how to attach it and have looked at different beads, sequins, charms, and buttons; plan du moment is to use metallic thread and knots.

Where's Sheena? I need a drink and bet she's got some potent potables!!!

Reply to
anne

It is only worth worrying about if you do not want a skewed looking purse.

Needlework is supposed to be enjoyable so what is the big rush?? If your ground fabric is out more than an inch it is going to take a fair amount of time straightening it out on a blocking board. You have to straighten it a little bit at a time each day. If you used the basketweave stitch figure about a week, if you just used the needlepoint (tent) stitch and you are an uptight stitcher figure on two weeks. The only way to speed things up is to use staples (use copper ones) versus pins to mount the ground fabric each time onto the blocking board.

You can take the modern approach and just slap the purse together or you can go the tried and true method of blocking the ground fabric properly, how you display your stitching talents to the world is up to you. I trust that the ground fabric and design are fairly large as it might take a fairly BIG purse to hold all the written excuses for the modern approach causing things to look so skewed! LOL

Fred

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nothing changes, nothing changes.Don't back stitch to email, just stitchit.

Reply to
Fred

Some people see the world through rose colored glasses; my glasses skew everything.

I'm printing that to remind me to ignore people who say 'interesting piece'

I guess I'm modern. The purse is slapped together; pictures soon.

Reply to
anne

LOL - ummm, well, not too late to block it. Almost never too late to block (almost). But, if you've gotten it really twisted you'll need to do the blocking on a board, not something bendable like foamcore. But, I'd certainly give it a try.

I'm not completely sure that I have a good picture of what your edges look like now, but if you can post a pic on your on-line album, then I'll take a look and be happy to try and advise you WRT the blocking. Normally when I block (esp. When working at the framers) the pinning is done right at the edge of the stitched area - 1 thread over. And honestly, we bang in tacks onto a plywood board. And then spray damp the piece, then let it air dry, and keep on doing until it's nice and straight and level. So, it's likely that you can block your piece. I just have to think about what you've done with the folded over. Normally it's better not to trim anything until after you've blocked it - as you don't want to put the blocking tacks thru the stitching.

It's never hopeless....FWIW, with a lot of canvas pieces that have geometric stitches that pull in various directions, I suggest to leave it on the stretcher bars and let the finisher/framer take it off.

Seriously, I've blocked out a stitched canvas that looked like one big spiral cone when it was brought in. Granted - it took about a week, and had to be re-pinned 4 times IIRC, but it came out pretty well - almost perfect.

Think good thoughts - this was fun, remember?

ellice

Reply to
ellice

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