Updated Renaissance Threads, Stitch Sampler, and Needles

Here is the post with pictures this time. Remember, you can enlarge the photo by clicking on it.

First of all my apologies. I tried to download pictures off my phone as usual, but the computer wouldn't let me do that. So I thought I would just use my old digital camera, but guess what? The batteries are dead. And guess what else? I only have one battery in the size needed, and the camera takes two. That means there will not be any pictures with this entry. However, I will not be deterred! As soon as I can get my hands on new batteries, I will get the pictures downloaded and repost this entry.

Let's talk for a minute about Renaissance Threads. Again, these were purchased a while back and experimented with. Even though these were more or less designed for needlepoint, I wanted to try them because they just look so gorgeous (and interesting). When I went to their website today, I noticed that their "What's New" page hadn't been updated since 2014. I can't tell you what that means in terms of their products, but in the past I have purchased their products from ABC Stitch Therapy in their needlepoint section.

These really are beautiful fibers and quite different from the others I've mentioned. The sparkle is out of this world on those that sparkle. That being said, there are some fibers that are made for needlepoint and should only be used for that purpose and I think these qualify for that use. Even though it has been a while since I used them, as I recall, I shelved them because they were either too difficult to work with or I already had fibers that would provide the same effect for a lower cost. I certainly am not going to discourage anyone from trying these fibers because everyone is different, and as they say, "One man's meat is another man's poison.". Give it a whirl and see what happens if you are interested. You just never know until you try.


The four different threads I used.

This is the Black Shimmer. You can see the great sparkle it has and also the
thicker fiber that it is as well.

Here is the Black Sprinkles, another amazing sparkler. The Shimmer and Sprinkles
are not divisible due to the way the sparkle filament is entwined into it. This is
when having a 12 count Aida would be handy, as it would handle these thicker
fibers better. Oh well!

 

So here they are stitched up. The two without the sparkles in them I tried to
brush with a Lana Brush but the results weren't stellar. (More about the Lana
brush when we begin to discuss wool fibers.)

 

 IMPORTANT MESSAGE ABOUT NEEDLES

Now I have mentioned fibers of various sorts, but something that accompanies that are the importance of the needles used. For heavier fibers or those that are thick/fibrous, use a larger needle. That means a larger eye which makes it easier to thread too. The size is totally up to you. I have even used large plastic needles used for sewing on knitted items, so get a few of the really large sized needles in your collection so you can work with these fibers. The bigger the hole you will make, the easier the fiber will pass through, saving wear and tear on it. This is strictly trial and error for each person but definitely one that has to be explored if various kinds of fibers are going to be used in the work. I have found the large Pebbles needles work very well for me and come in nice storage "eggs".

Typically I use 26 or 28 tapestry needles and my favorites are the Colonial needles, however, they are sometimes hard to locate in this part of the country, so I usually end up using the John James needles which are nice, but don't seem to last very long for me (the eye of the needle likes to break off). I know many people though who will not use anything but that brand, so again, individual preference is the key.

Here are some of the giant needles that can be used for the thicker and or fuzzy
looking fibers. These make the hole bigger so you can get the fiber through the
fabric without too much wear and tear. The size of the hole the needle makes will
be filled in by the fiber so no one will ever see it. Find the right needle to accommodate
the fiber for the best results. Sometimes it just takes a try or two to get the combination right.

Here you can really see the difference in the larger needle versus a size 28 tapestry.
 

Here it is in my hand so you can get a better idea of how big it is. Remember,
the smaller the number the larger the needle. DMC makes these wonderful large
tapestry needles as well as John James in the Pebbles line. The larger tapestries
are good to have on hand, just in case.

 

THE STITCH SAMPLER

I began the first stitch in the Sampler which is Version 1 of the Reversible Cross Stitch and here are my thoughts so far. It is definitely fun to try something different. Surprisingly, this goes one time diagonally, and then it goes twice through on the other diagonal stitch, making one thicker than the other. However, you cannot see a difference in them. I'm not sure how that works technically, but visually it is almost like an optical illusion. The purpose of this stitch is to keep the back neat and reversible. So it does have more of a stitched look on the backside but I wouldn't go so far as to say it makes the work reversible. For one thing, there is a distinct difference between the front and the back, plus you still have to anchor the threads on the backside which definitely makes it not reversible. I have no clue as to why this would be called reversible. Maybe more research is needed on this subject.

I had a hard time getting the second row to look like the first on the back (the first row looked just like the book). After numerous attempts I finally tried putting the fabric upside down and then stitching it as I did the first row and that worked, it looked exactly like the first row. So the fabric has to be stitched upside down and right side up in order to get the consistent look on the back. Again, I am questioning the need for this in my stitching since I have no future plans to make the backside of my work visible to the general public. Weight has to be given as to whether the look of the back is equal to the extra work it entails. Again, individual preference has to win the day.

I am using three strands of floss and working over two on the 14 count. I am doing this so I can see the detail of the stitch. I will also do it over one just to see how it looks. I am really enjoying doing this!



Here is the front of the Reversible Cross Stitch over two on 14 count Aida.
Looks like regular cross stitch.

Here is the backside. You can see the difference. Plus you have the floss tails
that you have to secure on the back as well.  I'll be adding more about this stitch
in the next post.

  

Until next week here is another Thought Nugget:

"Looking back upon my work today, I think the best I have done grew out of things deeply felt, the worst from a pride in mere talent."

~Diego Rivera