Substitute for Sand Belfast Linen?

Might I humbly ask why you don't like stitching on linen? Not saying you shouldn't prefer a non-linen even weave, but I'm terribly curious as to why the linen (I love Belfast linen) is causing you such trouble.

Dianne

Nicole wrote:

Yes, you may ask. My stitches look more uniform to me when I stitch on an even weave. I feel like my stitches move after I stitch them on linen. When I compare my stitches on an even weave to my stitches on linen, the difference is noticeable (at least to me). I just think the 2 fabrics "handle" differently.

Hope that makes sense. I won't turn down a project simply because it's to be stitched on linen, but when given the choice, I'll take an even weave.

Nicole in NC

"Nicole" had some very interesting things to say about Re: Substitute for Sand Belfast Linen?:

I personally dislike the appearance of linen (all those bumps and such). To me, evenweave just looks tidier and nicer. Entirely a personal opinion :-).

I have no qualms whatsoever about changing the fabric to suit my tastes. For example, when I started kitting "Memoriam" (9/11 tribute by Ellen Maurer-Stroh), the photo showed it on a tan/beige fabric (not sure where that boundary is :-) ), which I didn't think worked well. I'm planning this one on black Jobelan (fits the colors and the content better, IMO). Another example: also presently kitting the Marbek Nativity, which is shown on white in the photos. I'm planning to do it on navy blue (at least for this one, I'm sticking to the specified fibers instead of swapping, unlike Memoriam, which has been kitted in rayon (grin)).

I know I am picking nits, but most linen IS an even weave.

Elizabeth

"Dr. Brat" had some very interesting things to say about Re: Substitute for Sand Belfast Linen?:

Granted, but due to all those bumps and such, linen doesn't look terribly even to me. LIS, totally a personal quirk. Those who like linen are welcome to it. :-)

Have a look at Zweigart's website:

Most of the fabrics come in colours like cream or mushroom which would probably substitute quite well. "Summer Khaki" Lugana would give you a more antique look.

Or you could completely change both the background colour and the colours used in the stitching - not too difficult a task since there are only three. How about the alternative colour that MLI suggests - green?

emerald

OK Dianne, Are YOU grinning as much as MOI?? Elizabeth, YOU GO GIRL :-). I guess we are starting into the summer doldrums so it's time for the yearly even weave vs. evenweave round of discussions! I love it and agree with Elizabeth TOTALLY!!! If the fabric is woven with an even number of threads in both directions then it is, by definition (how DO you spell that word properly???), and even weave (note the TWO words)fabric!!! The term evenweave (one word) is some marketing dept's. made up term which is now part of the language, I suppose. Actually, IIRC, Aida IS an even weave, too!!!! LINEN, OTOH is not necessarily an even weave, as Elizabeth pointed out!!! Linen is a natural FIBER(like cotton or wool), and can be fabric OR thread OR floss, etc. When used for needlework it should be described as linen even weave (when it is an even weave fabric). OOOO I just love some of these nit-picking discussions :-). For those of you new to the group, this is one of our standard, recurring discussions. Stay tuned and we might even get into the "licking floss" or "thread grain" discussions. I, for one, most enjoy or annual Mayo vs. Miracle Whip (a gross, nasty, disgusting spawn of the devil spread) wars :-))). CiaoMeow >^;;^< PAX, Tia Mary

I reallly like evenweave, specially for larger projects. iIt is simpler to use. However, I love linen on smaller projects, where the thickness and thinness of the thread just gives the item a "pizaaz" , and doesn't drive you nuts!!

Gillian

The term "even weave" has nothing to do with how the thread is spun (not woven) but rather with the relationship of the weft to the warf. Even weave cloth has the same number of threads per inch each way. Linen cloth comes in both even weave and uneven weave. Both exhibit the slubs characteristic of linen thread.

Elizabeth

Tsk Tsk Tia Mary -- do NOT start them on the licking floss discussion! I lick I stitch I don't care!!! Hey ... figure it like this -- if something should ever happen to me, I just hope I have my stitching with me at the time so the DNA is on it and they know who I am!!! (*grin*). OH ... and Miracle Whip is something I agree with you on ... nasty disgusting mess ... gimme Kraft REAL Mayo any day!

HUGGIES Tia Mary ... I've been missing you!

When I originally replied, asking the question why the preference for something other than linen, I purposely said something to the effect: Why would you prefer a non-linen even weave?

I figured that would "teach" without hitting over the head.

Thanks for adding why you prefer one type fabric over another. :-) If you're satin stitching on a non-even weave linen, you just pierce the ground threads so that there are no gaps. If you're counting, however, that wouldn't be possible . . . though I might be tempted to fudge a stitch or two. :-)

Dianne

Mavia Beaulieu wrote:

No one here has made the claim that you would find linen as even as cotton, Mirjam. That's not the issue up for discussion. Even the most unevenly spun linen, if it had the same number of warp and weft threads per inch when woven, would still be called even weave. That's exactly why some prefer to work on even weave fabrics other than linen.

Elizabeth (who likes slubs)

You spelled "definition" just fine. It's "an" you got wrong, you bleeping nitpicker. :)~

HELLMAN'S!!!!! (Known as Best Foods west of the Rockies)

Right on Karen, it's Hellman's for me too. And it's ok to lick floss in my house, just not the piece I'm using. That's reserved for my spit and I won't share.

Now I have another important question to ask? Is there any ketchup that tastes right, other than Heinz???

Inquiring minds need to know ??? ;+)))

Lucille