Other newbie questions :)

It is absolutely not necessary to prewash floss before it is used, as long as you are using high-quality brands such as DMC or Anchor. Can't speak for the lesser brands. I don't purchase kits, usually, and the only other floss I have around is old Beldings, which didn't need prewashing either.

A very few persons here at RCTN have had trouble with a couple of the DMC threads running since the dyes were changed sometime back. If you are going to wash your project after you have finished, you might want to ask about here to see what people have to say about this. Even if floss runs, rinsing numerous times usually solves the problem.

It will not be a problem for you under glass.

I have not liked the DMC metallic flosses that are skeined. However, I do love, very much, the Z-threads that are wound on spools. I've used several shades of gold and silver and enjoyed them. They wash well, but like all metallics, don't take many washes before they begin to fray.

Can't help you with the rest of your question, nor question 3.

Dianne

According to the owner at my LNS, if you are using the blending filament alone, i.e., 2 strands of it without any other threads, then yes, you can substitute a fine Kreinik braid. I only wish I had known of it before starting on this MarBek angel for my daughter. Takes longer to thread the needle with 2 strands of filament than it does to stitch the section! If I wasn't more than halfway through the filament part, I would have frogged and redone it in the braid. I don't use the DMC metallics, so I can't help with that.

Carolyn

Tracey wrote:

I can't say anything about lap frames, as I've thought the same as you (plus, one must first HAVE a lap and I'm a bit too "fluffy"). I think you have things under control as far as frames go. You might want to check out Q-snaps for any smaller projects you might have or want to do. They are much lighter in weight than any scrolls I've owned so far. And if you get positioned just right with them, you can stitch two-handed with them, as well. And thats about the neatest thing I've learned to do, btw. I'm right handed, so my right hand stays under the fabric and my left hand stays above. I can visually guide my "stupid" left hand and the right hand just seems to "know" where it needs to go. Plus, with good light, you can sorta see through the fabric to have a fair idea where that right hand needs to be, anyway.

Btw, I had to chuckle at your Lynyrd Skynyrd quote! I'm terribly excited about finally getting to see them in concert later on this month. I know it's not quite the same, but it's still gonna be fun!

Keep stitching! Tegan

I was soooo bummed last year when I had already made plans to fly to my parents house and would be there over the 4th of July weekend and a couple of months before, LS committed to playing at a local military base. I had to miss them. :(

Have you ever seen them in concert? A few years ago, I was lucky enough to see The Who in a very small venue (once they block off the 'bad' seats, it probably holds ~5000 people) and I'm not ashamed to admit that I was teary-eyed through a big part of the concert. I was just so amazed that, after, uhm, let's just say more than a couple of decades < :P > of listening to their music, I actually got to see them in person.

And thanks for the comments. I think I've got a good setup myself since I can see the TV and catch up on my DVR list and all of the series that I can't seem to stop buying in DVD format. :P Any kind of free-standing frame would have to be put elsewhere.

Tracey

Thank you. I didn't figure it would be too big of a problem. I guess another aspect of it, though, is that the stuff I'm doing now I'm not looking at as something that I expect or even want to 'pass down' so I'm not particularly shooting for heirloom quality stuff, ya know? I just want something purty.

I'm guessing (don't know, of course) that the DMC metallic flosses are probably similar to the packaged kit flosses. I'll check them out next time I'm in a store.

Thanks! Tracey

Sounds good to me. I'll be giving it a try. :)

Tracey

Tracey, the project will go thru just fine, if you will get some wide, clear shipping tape, and tape every inch of the glass that is showing. I have shipped from Colorado to Virginia that way many times, and they always arrived intact. Frances

I can certainly agree with your opinion of how most lap stands appear. I felt the same a couple of years ago when I went looking for one to help me stitch a huge x-stitch project. I searched a lot on line and finally found one by American Dream Products (NAYY) that doesn't have something you sit on (this was something I refused to involve myself with!) If you go to

and scroll down to the Tomorrow's Treasures Lap stand, you will see what I found. I love it and use it for about half of my projects. It sits on either side of me, (or if it's too wide for my chair, on the arms of the chair) and is fairly light weight to move aside. I found mine on eBay and it came with several scrolls. I, like Tegan, have learned to stitch 2-handed and it saves me a lot of time. :) One day I think I would still like a free-standing floor stand, but not for a while...besides my birdie would probably think it was a perch!Addie

You're talking about taping it like for a hurricane except for taping it all, not just an X? Directly on the glass? Isn't that a pain for the recipient to clean?

Tracey

That looks like something I would like and I'll put it on my list (birthday is coming up in a couple of months!) Thanks!

Tracey

Another option is to ship it without glass and have the recipient go to a framing shop for a piece of glass to fit.

Tracey said

When I send a piece that has glass, I usually cover the glass with several layers of newspaper and then wrap the thing in an old towel. I try to fill either the envelop or box with bunched up newspaper so the project won't move around. Finally, even if it might not do any good, I write Fragile in several places.

Just wash the finished project before framing it.

Every metallic I've used has frayed terribly. I love the look, but really hate stitching with it.

I've been using scroll frames without a stand for years. I just prop opposing sides of the scroll frame on one knee, or a pillow, or the couch arm rest, or whatever is handy. I've also used embroidery hoops for smaller projects too. Debra in VA See my quilts at

I had checked out the website you told me about and decided that a price tag of $65.00 with shipping added on was a little too much to spend right now. But I lucked out and ended up winning a bid on eBay for a total (auction and shipping) of $39.95. :P Thanks much!

Tracey

I think that's how I got mine too!!

Addie

Yes, that's what I've been doing so far. Right now, I've got 3 different scroll frames but they're of cheap wood, not sanded well and already seem a bit loosey-goosey. We have a semi-circular couch and I've built up a little 'nest' of pillows to support me and the arm that holds the frame so I'm thinking a stand-type of frame will help out on my 'OMG! My DVR is at 99% capacity! I must watch 3 or 4 of these shows so I can record MORE shows!' nights. :P

Tracey

Ah, those sound like very good things. I'll have to start looking for them. Thanks!

Tracey

I was that way with finally getting to see Sting a few years ago. Maudlin as it will sound, the one thing that always makes me teary at the concerts I manage to attend these days is that most of them are bands that my SO introduced me to and he passed away before getting to see most of them. I can't tell you how silly I felt (after the fact, of course) boo-hooing when I got to hear Gregg Allman sing "I'm No Angel".. When I drug a much younger coworker with me to see Leon Russell I can't begin to tell you how many tissues I went through! LOL

This will be my first shot at seeing LS, and I've just found out that there's a "regular" that comes into the truckstop/convenience store where I'm working now that does sound mixing for quite a few of the local concert venues. We're working on some sort of "arrangement" for tickets.. He had me literally whimpering when he talked about Van Zant and 38 Special being on the same venue! I came close to crying then, too! LOL

And about stitching.. you'd be surprised how easily a floor stand can be incorporated into regular tv viewing habits! Use the "right" fabric and you can almost literally see through it, plus, if you really MUST watch a scene, you can (depending on how the stand is built) peek over the top of the scroll frame. I have a GripIt Legend that works really well, and is light weight enough that it's easy to move out of the way. I do think the bird would be troublesome, though. Chen Li (my cat) thinks the knobs on the frames are there simply for her rubbing pleasure.

Tegan