Hiding threads on Redwork or other embroidery

When embroidering with colored thread on a very light background one must work to avoid the threads on the wrong side shadowing on the front side. I recently heard that some hand stitchers are using a Pelon product called "Stacy". This is ironed to the wrong side of the fabric before stitching is started. According to the rumors I have heard the extra layer does not cause problems with the embroidery stitches and prevents the shadowing. Has anyone tried Stacy? Have you successfully tried anything else? One of the designers suggests that you stitch through two layers of muslin. I find this awkward and would prefer an iron-on product. All suggestions will be appreciated.

Susan

Reply to
Susan Laity Price
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Random thoughts, Susan. Alex Anderson of Simply Quilts used to be in love with redwork. Perhaps she has a book with guidance or there may be some info at her website. IMHO, I'd be very reluctant to use any pelon product that could eventually yellow or cat face (my mother's term, you know but meaning making tiny wrinkly places). Are you using the best white or off-white that you can find? Silly me. Of course you are. I haven't done any redwork but have enjoyed quite a bit of shadow embroidery which is similar in that what goes on with the underside is important. Your question is an interesting one. I look forward to the answers. Polly

"Susan Laity Price" When embroidering with colored thread on a very light background one

Reply to
Polly Esther

n find? =EF=BF=BDSilly me.

forward to the answers.

At Country Sampler, we've had quite a few people do WINTER WONDERLAND, which is a quilt with embroidered redwork panels. The instructor had them back the fabric with Warm 'n Natural. They were basted together after marking but before hooping. The batting hides the threads and doesn't seem to cause a problem with either the embroidery or the piecing or the machine quilting afterwards. I would think that a layer of white flannel or even muslin could accomplish the same thing, but I'd probably do a sample first.

I've gotten the pattern and starter kit for OVER THE RIVER, which is a sequesl to WINTER WONDERLAND. Now just to get started!

joan

Reply to
joan8904 in Bellevue Nebraska

This may not help your quest - but just when you have time go look around at

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I was buying some Minkee and wandered over to their needlework section. They do have some fine embroidery ideas. Polly

Reply to
Polly Esther

These are the quilts we have been working on. I say "we" because they are store samples for The Quilt Merchant in Winfield, Illinois. I have done most of the embroidery on Winter Wonderland and Over the River. Both quilts were done earlier this year. Kits and patterns have sold well. The piecing was done by my friend Val and the quilts will be hers once the shop no longer needs them. So far we have stitched 10 of the blocks for the Halloween quilt by the same designers. That sample should be done by the first of the year. We are disappointed that the only spring design they have is the block of the month flower baskets. I have plenty of stitching time as I care for my mother. These quilt panels are ideal as they are totally mindless. I find the stitching very relaxing. My friend owes me big time for all the stitching I have done this past year but I know she will help me in the future when the right project comes along. I should start hand piecing a quilt but that would take more thought than this embroidery.

Stitching thru the Warm and Natural sounds bulky but I will try it.

If any>>> Random thoughts, Susan. ?Alex Anderson of Simply Quilts used to be in love

Reply to
Susan Laity Price

When I was learning embroidery at my Great Aunt's elbow, she had me turn the work over, wrap the red thread around itself on the back, thus keeping it in place, even after waashing. She was very meticulous about this.

Butterfly (now that it is iimpossible for these hands, wonder how I'd do it by SM????)

Reply to
Butterflywings

If you are embroidering really well there shouldn't be any threads that are flopping around. My grandma was taught by convent nuns in Europe and her work looked almost as nice on the back as the front. She complained numerous times how often they had to unstitch when they were learning. My work isn't that good though. I noticed some pretty fine embroidery work on some pieces at the LQS and asked about who does it. I was told a local gal does and she backs her work with warm and natural. I don't know the process but would love to know just how that works too. It is nice to see more embroidery than has been around in years. Taria

Susan Laity Price wrote:

Reply to
Taria

One of my friends does a lot of redwork. She always uses two layers of fabric. I think she has them basted together around the outside of the piece and then the hoop holds them together while stitching.

Julia > When embroidering with colored thread on a very light background one

Reply to
Julia in MN

Howdy!

Everything old is new again. ;-) Nice to see this charming mix of quilting and embroidery come back.

Looks like Crab*apple Hill has quite a few patterns in their Spring category; are they last year's or new?

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of pretty things at y'all's shop.
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Best wishes, Susan, and to your mom.

R/Sandy

Reply to
Sandy Ellison

Are you stitching with embroidery floss? I use 2 strands of floss for redwork. I use an extra long length, folded in half and put the two ends through the eye of the needle. To start stitching, I take the first stitch, then thread it through the loop at the other end. I don't knot my finishing stitch, just weave it through the previous stitches. To start a shorter piece, I weave that for a few stitches, then continue stitching. You can also leave a thread tail at the beginning of your work, and weave it in after taking a few stitches.

Reply to
Susan Torrens

What a neat technique, Susan. There are times when I'm doing a little handstitching on preemie garments and don't want to knot my threads. This should just be So nice. I've printed your instructions and posted them on the bulletin board by my SM. If I can't remember, at least I'll be able to find them. Polly

"Susan Torrens" Are you stitching with embroidery floss? I use 2 strands of floss for

Reply to
Polly Esther

Happy to be of help! I use the same method when doing counted cross stitch with 2 strands.

Reply to
Susan Torrens

When using floss I do the same thing. The threads I am concerned about are not the starting and ending threads, I bury those very carefully. I am concerned about the threads running from letter to letter. I don't cross on the back over 1/4" (OK maybe I will jump 1/2" when I am tired). You can't start and stop on every little letter or leaf.

Thanks for everyone's suggestions. I will need to experiment.

Susan (from Chicago not Florida and Canada)

Reply to
Susan Laity Price

Susan: I'm eager to do some Green Work*, so this is an interesting thread. What are you using to mark the design on the muslin? TIA, Pat, back in Virginia PS *I call it Green Work because I intend to stitch Horticultural motifs on cream fabric, using green floss.

Reply to
Pat in Virginia

snipped-for-privacy@4ax.com...

Mark the design using a Pigma pen in the same color as the floss. That way, even if you're off an itty bit, it won't show. joan

Reply to
joan8904 in Bellevue Nebraska

That is a terrific idea Joan. I must file it away for future reference, should I ever do anymore quilt + embroidery. . In message , joan8904 in Bellevue Nebraska writes

Reply to
Patti

green, some LIME i presume? and horticultural designs. sounds like heaven to me. cant wait to see them a block at a time. got any picked out yet? anywhere we can go look at them? j.

"Pat in Virginia" wrote... Susan: I'm eager to do some Green Work*, so this is an interesting thread. What are you using to mark the design on the muslin? TIA, Pat, back in Virginia PS *I call it Green Work because I intend to stitch Horticultural motifs on cream fabric, using green floss.

Reply to
jeanne-nzlstar*

On Nov 19, 2:05=EF=BF=BDpm, "jeanne-nzlstar*" wro= te:

Not lime, but speaking of greenwork--

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joan

Reply to
joan8904 in Bellevue Nebraska

i'd forgotten bout that one. tis a beauty for sure. wish i could see those blocks up close. when i zoom in i lose clarity on the design. :( got me to wondering when i looked again just now, how it might look with some of the fabs i have... light/medium lime greens with black embroidery. also some of the reds i have might work, light/medium other colours too. i'll ponder all that for a bit and see what other possibilitys i come up with. thanks for the reminder, j.

"joan8904 > green, some LIME i presume? and horticultural designs.

Reply to
jeanne-nzlstar*

Although I LOVE Lime and Celadon and even Pea Soup Green, this project will feature a medium dark olive green floss. I am using designs form Betty Ackerman Book. I think I bought it in Houston a couple of years ago, as it has the author's autograph! PAT

Reply to
Pat in Virginia

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