Help with Stamped Pillowcases.
Question:
I just finished a pair of stamped pillow cases. What I am worried about is the floss comming undone when they are washed. They could just look pretty, but I want them to be practical as well as pretty. I thought about that ‘fray stop’ stuff. Would it work? Is there anything elce that I could do? Thank you gabrille Before you buy.
Response:
Hi Gabarielle, The Fray Stop or similar product will work just fine on the ends of your floss. But one thing my granny taught me…when doing regular embroidery on things like linens I always knoe my floss…Since these items are not framed and often used a lot & therefore laundered frequently, it is OK — or at least USED to be OK — to know your floss when beginning & ending. Now I am sure the purists out there will have a holy screaming fit when they read this, but as I always say, this is just needlework, we ain’t talking save the world here 
PAX & ^;;^< CiaoMeow PAX, Tia Mary ^;;^< Angels can’t show their wings on earth but nothing was ever said about their WHISKERS!!
Response:
But one thing my granny taught me…when doing regular embroidery on things like linens I always knoe my floss. or at least USED to be OK — to know your floss when beginning & ending.
ROTFLMAOWTIMEPIMP…now if I could just learn to TYPE!!! What I am trying to say…quite unsuccessfully…is to KNOT your floss LOLOLOL PAX, Tia Mary ^;;^< Angels can’t show their wings on earth but nothing was ever said about their WHISKERS!!
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I also knot the floss. It’s not where you sleep(no lumps) and it won’t come out. Mine are washed all the time and doing fine. Since they’re already done, if you didn’t knot it I would wash them in a delicates bag so they won’t get as "beat up" in the laundry. Greta
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I have done tons of embroidery since I was a little girl. I also have very old pieces that were my aunts. Don’t knot. It isn’t necessary. The floss won’t come undone IF you have woven it securely on the back. Try not to get in the habit of using materials such as "fray check" or other glues. It isn’t necessary, and may permanently discolor your embroidery. There are way to start embroidery that will prevent floss from undoing itself. If you’re not sure how, hang in there. I’ll have a page on it the first week of November. This question comes up so often, I thought I would update my "how to" page. It is not considered good practise to knot because knotting causes lumps in embroidery. And if you’re thinking of doing the old-fashioned twisted knot around your finger – those are not secure and come undone quicker than you can shake a stick. Backs should be neat, particularly on items like tray mats or pillow cases. Why? Because you’ll see them! Should they look just like the front? Heavens NO!! But they should be "neat" as possible. If you get in good habits, it’ll just happen that way. It takes not much longer to be neat than it does to be sloppy (loose ends of floss showing, loopy knots of thread, long cross overs from one area to another). That being said: there are some instances where that’s ok because you haven’t any choice, i.e. embroidering through an enclosed area like a finished potholder or hem of a pillow case. Or, very complicated embroidery that is going to be lined and incorporates silk ribbon, perhaps, or other large denier threads. It IS permissible to knot in some instances. But normally a back stitch is all that is required. Rest assured, washing, if your floss has been properly woven on the back, won’t make your work come undone. <smile Dianne – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi Gabarielle, The Fray Stop or similar product will work just fine on the ends of your floss. But one thing my granny taught me…when doing regular embroidery on things like linens I always knoe my floss…Since these items are not framed and often used a lot & therefore laundered frequently, it is OK — or at least USED to be OK — to know your floss when beginning & ending. Now I am sure the purists out there will have a holy screaming fit when they read this, but as I always say, this is just needlework, we ain’t talking save the world here PAX & ^;;^< CiaoMeow PAX, Tia Mary ^;;^< Angels can’t show their wings on earth but nothing was ever said about their WHISKERS!!
Response:
I, too, knot my floss on embroidery that will be laundered (pillow cases, table runners, doilies, dresser scarves, etc.). It is how I was taught. As a matter of fact, DH & I still use a set of pillow cases my grandmother made for me when I was just a little girl. They have been laundered numerous times (probably about 20 times per year for the last 20 years considering rotation of cases) and they are still in A-1 condition embroidery-wise. Just my $.02, — InStitches "Count twice, stitch once."
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I also knot the floss. It’s not where you sleep(no lumps) and it won’t come out. Mine are washed all the time and doing fine. Since they’re already done, if you didn’t knot it I would wash them in a delicates bag so they won’t get as "beat up" in the laundry. Greta
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Newsgroups: I just finished a pair of stamped pillow cases. What I am worried about is the floss comming undone when they are washed. snipped<
For something I think will get a lot of washing, I would try iron on interface. It is lightweight so it doesn’t add stiffness or heavy spot to item and I feel more secure that my hard work has some protection. It also helps prevent any threads from getting snagged as I cut the piece to cover the whole area worked…Clear as mud??? HTH NHinkler Happy stitching leads to healthy living <BG, take life one stitch at a time. X/USA/H2+(DON)/29X,23Y/11y,4x,3y/1C(SASSY)1D(PEPE)/3C/-/X,R,E,Cr/14A/DMC/: -P~/H,S/M-/B-/b/R?/S/K+/E-/S/G/W+/C/J/Mel/Stephen/Oreos
Response:
I don’t need help with my embroidery, I have been stitching for over 40 years & I am a professional seamstress and do all types of needlework. As I said in my first post to RCTN…the purists will have an absolute fit because I said it is OK to knot your floss. THIS IS JUST EMBROIDERY! I lick the ends of my floss too….GASP!!! I have a number of pieces that were given to me by my granny…she knotted her floss & even licked the ends and this stuff is still around and has been for about 70 years (I am not a youngster) and is in pretty good shape. Who cares if fraycheck might damage the fibers in 80 or 90 years…this is stuff that is going to be used & abused regularly and the fabric it is stitched on will probably disintegrate long before the floss starts to come apart or discolor. And it takes moret ime to turn your piece over, weave the thread into existing stitches securely & then do the same thing when you are finished. If someone is stitching a piece to be entered in competition then by all means you must be careful of EVERY aspect of the stitching. But for pillowcases that will be used regularly all that folderol about licking your floss & grain of the floss & knotting & using fray check is just that…. unnecessary steps that can & IMHO should be eliminated. Once utilitarian needlework gets back to being just that — utilitarian — then we will all have a better understanding of just what heirloom needlework is. MLI & TW designs are works of art that are done with a needle & should be stitched with every care we can possible give them as they should be true heirlooms. But to put that kind of effort into pillowcases that will be used regularly is a waste of time! So, I am sorry to get on my high horse but I am really past my limit of endurance with stitchers who treat every item they put needle to as if it were going to be displayed in the Museum of Fine Arts…as I said in my post…this type of stitchery is JUST NEEDLEWORK….we are not saving the world of needlework with these pillowcases & it just isn’t that important! IMHO of course…^;;^< PAX & CiaoMeow pawscript: if this doesn’t generate a humongous flame war nothing will…LOLOL PAX, Tia Mary ^;;^< Angels can’t show their wings on earth but nothing was ever said about their WHISKERS!!
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So, I am sorry to get on my high horse but I am really past my limit of endurance with stitchers who treat every item they put needle to as if it were going to be displayed in the Museum of Fine Arts…as I said in my post…this type of stitchery is JUST type of stitchery is JUST NEEDLEWORK….we are not saving the world of needlework with these pillowcases & it just isn’t that important!
You sure are brave! And guess what? I agree with you. I also have been known to lick and knot. I can be a perfectionist when I want, but life is too short to be one twenty four/seven. Katrina L.
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THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! I have been reading this thread and feeling just awful! I have made a total of three wall hangers, but hundreds of pillowcases, table cloths, dresser scarves, and dishtowels, not to mention all of the quilt squares I have embroidered. I have recently gotten interested in doing CCS on afghans, and am collecting patterns now. (I got 6 afghans–or 12 if you cut them in half for baby afghans–on sale at a LNS going out of business sale for $50. That is what interested me in doing it!) As you can see, I prefer to make things to be used rather than looked at. Due to frequent laundering, I always knot so they won’t fall apart. AND WHO NEVER LICKS THE END OF THEIR FLOSS????? My flour sack dishtowels are used and abused, stained and bleached. They haven’t fallen apart, and I love them. They will undoubtably last as long as I do. And be used daily. Embroidery, to me, is used to make everyday things pretty. I smile when I make my bed with pretty pillowcases that my MIL embroidered for me and I think loving thoughts of her. I am also tired of feeling put down for making everyday things in a way have our place in the world of stitchery. And the rooms of our homes are filled with beauty and love. Connie – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I don’t need help with my embroidery, I have been stitching for over 40 years & I am a professional seamstress and do all types of needlework. As I said in my first post to RCTN…the purists will have an absolute fit because I said it is OK to knot your floss. THIS IS JUST EMBROIDERY! I lick the ends of my floss too….GASP!!! I have a number of pieces that were given to me by my granny…she knotted her floss & even licked the ends and this stuff is still around and has been for about 70 years (I am not a youngster) and is in pretty good shape. Who cares if fraycheck might damage the fibers in 80 or 90 years…this is stuff that is going to be used & abused regularly and the fabric it is stitched on will probably disintegrate long before the floss starts to come apart or discolor. And it takes moret ime to turn your piece over, weave the thread into existing stitches securely & then do the same thing when you are finished. If someone is stitching a piece to be entered in competition then by all means you must be careful of EVERY aspect of the stitching. But for pillowcases that will be used regularly all that folderol about licking your floss & grain of the floss & knotting & using fray check is just that…. unnecessary steps that can & IMHO should be eliminated. Once utilitarian needlework gets back to being just that — utilitarian — then we will all have a better understanding of just what heirloom needlework is. MLI & TW designs are works of art that are done with a needle & should be stitched with every care we can possible give them as they should be true heirlooms. But to put that kind of effort into pillowcases that will be used regularly is a waste of time! So, I am sorry to get on my high horse but I am really past my limit of endurance with stitchers who treat every item they put needle to as if it were going to be displayed in the Museum of Fine Arts…as I said in my post…this type of stitchery is JUST NEEDLEWORK….we are not saving the world of needlework with these pillowcases & it just isn’t that important! IMHO of course…^;;^< PAX & CiaoMeow pawscript: if this doesn’t generate a humongous flame war nothing will…LOLOL PAX, Tia Mary ^;;^< Angels can’t show their wings on earth but nothing was ever said about their WHISKERS!!
Response:
AND WHO NEVER LICKS THE END OF THEIR FLOSS?????
<said in a very small voice ummmm… I haven’t. It’s not because I’m a perfectionist either — all you have to do is look at my house to know that. But I learned a certain way and that’s the way I always do it — it just hasn’t occurred to me to lick my floss or tie a knot in it. I don’t see anything wrong with knots if they make you happy, but just for the record there are people out there who don’t knot or lick, but are still nice people who won’t be appalled if that’s how you want to do it. And I’ll tell you a little secret — a few days ago I made a counting error and *left* it in!!! Talk about grounds for tar-and-feathering…. Elizabeth "Never attribute to malice that which can be explained by stupidity…"
Response:
a few days ago I made a counting error and *left* it in!!! Talk about grounds for tar-and-feathering….
ROTFLMAOWTIMEPIMP…Hi Elizabeth, this is too funny…the last piece I did that I know for certain had no counting errors was set of a Frank Lloyd Wright window charts I did for my architect SIL. Those $*(%*&$ designs are so geometric that you have to absolutely precise in your stitching! But when I miscount in an area of foliage or along the edge of a kitty chart, etc. I always leave it in…unless it will really mess up another part of the design. And you are correct…there are many stitchers who don’t lick or knot and they are wonderful people. The decision to lick & knot should — IMHO — depend on the type of project you are working on. I never do either when I am working with fine fabrics like linen or silk & specialty fibers but with plain old DMC & poly-cotton pillowcases ore dishtowels, etc. I just do whatever is easiest & quickesst…and for me that is lick & knot…LOLOL. It’s like anything else in lif…do what works best for you & makes you the most comfortable…My way is just that MY way. ^;;^< CiaoMeow PAX, Tia Mary ^;;^< Angels can’t show their wings on earth but nothing was ever said about their WHISKERS!!
Response:
Deena, Rather than waste canvas, could you buy pillowcases that are suitable for you and use iron-on transfers for the embroidery?? The designs available are somewhat limited, from what I’ve seen, but would give you a start-point. It would be a compromise that would give you the embroidered cases you covet without unduly punishing your hands. Dawne
Response:
Hi you, I also don’t know about doing the pillowcases. Bur, as another fellow FMer, I wanted to let you know I sometimes use elastic wrist supports (the sort you use when lifting weights) and they help a lot. I am quite interested in obtaining a pair of those Hand-eze gloves. I think they would help even more. I think the pressure would actually feel *good*. — California Poppy Minot AFB, ND – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi Deena! I don’t know anything about thread count for pillow cases, but I just wanted to say "hi" as a fellow FMer. I understand about the *feeling* of the pillowcase and the trouble with sewing with tighter fabrics. I have a lot of trouble with my fingers and wrists doing 1/4 and 3/4 stitches on aida. (I say as I am doing TWs "The Castle" on 18ct aida ) Do you do anything special to keep stitching with your FM? I had to give up drawing, painting etc., but got a floor stand for stitching and keep the work at eye-level and then I prop up my arms with pillows/towel…..it looks terribly messy, but my arms are supported enough to get in some stitching. I’ve been hesitant to try those supportive elastic wrist/hand gloves because I don’t know if I could stand the pressure. Have you tried those? Ker (used to be on alt.med.fibromyalgia last winter/spring)
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Anyone else read this as "Knotters of the world untie!"? Karen, the licker
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Anyone else read this as "Knotters of the world untie!"?
Yes, but I just figured that was because I’m used to reading John Caroll’s annual December column about The Untied Way. Nan Evelyn
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There is a time for heirlooms for future generations, but my feeling is that it is after we have made beauty for ourselves. Don’t save the china for a special occasion. Every day that you live is a special occasion!! Jodi
Hear, hear! I know that I take my work seriously; I intend His Majesty to last for at least a century– after all the WORK I put into it, it damn well better. HOWEVER; There are those out there who cherish the time for themselves more than the product. Brava! Make yourself happy, and a fig for those who snub the end result for not living up to *their* standards. ye gods and little fishes, we have too much to worry about than nit-pick over trivia. Edie aka The Ambitious Wench "Yes, I am an agent of Satan, but my duties are mostly ceremonial. If you don’t like it, YOU CAN’T HAVE ANY! Now, having settled *that*, how do I set my laser printer back on stun?"
Response:
I’ve wanted stitched pillowcases, but the stamped ones are always poly cotton and low thread count. I can’t sleep on them. (I have Fibromyalgia and part of that disorder is a sleeping disorder–just the feel of something scratchy on my face is enough to keep me awake for weeks.) Does anyone stitch on 200+ thread count by using waste canvas? Or would it be harder to do than it’s worth (causing a flare up in my hands and wrists trying to shove the needle through)? I suppose I could try one, but then it would qualify as a UFO and I couldn’t handle the shame *grin*
– Deena Wells Palm Harbor, FL
Hi Deena! I don’t know anything about thread count for pillow cases, but I just wanted to say "hi" as a fellow FMer. I understand about the *feeling* of the pillowcase and the trouble with sewing with tighter fabrics. I have a lot of trouble with my fingers and wrists doing 1/4 and 3/4 stitches on aida. (I say as I am doing TWs "The Castle" on 18ct aida ) Do you do anything special to keep stitching with your FM? I had to give up drawing, painting etc., but got a floor stand for stitching and keep the work at eye-level and then I prop up my arms with pillows/towel…..it looks terribly messy, but my arms are supported enough to get in some stitching. I’ve been hesitant to try those supportive elastic wrist/hand gloves because I don’t know if I could stand the pressure. Have you tried those? Ker (used to be on alt.med.fibromyalgia last winter/spring)
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One of the things I’ve done in the past to embellish linens is to crochet lace for them. The lace outlasts the pillowcases in general so you can unpick the sewing on it and use it on another set.
It certainly does. I have lace edging from pillowcases my grandmother did. One day I picked up a small booklet on crocheted edging to do some of my own, and would you believe it? The same patterns were in there. One of these days I’ll make up sets for my nieces, with one pillow with grandmother’s lace on it and one with Aunt Karen’s. Karen
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One of the things I’ve done in the past to embellish linens is to crochet lace for them. The lace outlasts the pillowcases in general so you can unpick the sewing on it and use it on another set. I would also like to try doing embroidered linens, but I also prefer the better quality-higher count linens. I’ve toyed with the idea of getting a strip of good quality linen, embroidering it, and stitching it to the edging on the pillow. It may not look quite as smooth as embroidering the actual case, but another plus would be to be able to reuse the emboidered piece on another case. Hope this helps ~~S~~
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I’ve wanted stitched pillowcases, but the stamped ones are always poly cotton and low thread count. I can’t sleep on them. (I have Fibromyalgia and part of that disorder is a sleeping disorder–just the feel of something scratchy on my face is enough to keep me awake for weeks.) Does anyone stitch on 200+ thread count by using waste canvas?
<snip What I did, Deena, was to buy the kinds of pillowcases I wanted and then to use transfers to put the pattern on so I could stitch them. I used some of the transfers Dover puts out (they have some very interesting collections!) Alison
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I’ve wanted stitched pillowcases, but the stamped ones are always poly cotton and low thread count. I can’t sleep on them. (I have Fibromyalgia and part of that disorder is a sleeping disorder–just the feel of something scratchy on my face is enough to keep me awake for weeks.) Does anyone stitch on 200+ thread count by using waste canvas? Or would it be harder to do than it’s worth (causing a flare up in my hands and wrists trying to shove the needle through)? I suppose I could try one, but then it would qualify as a UFO and I couldn’t handle the shame *grin* — Deena Wells Palm Harbor, FL Wanted to buy: large charted rubber duckie for XS WIP bookshelf quilt WIP jar quilt WIP: Alphabet bears XS
| AND WHO NEVER LICKS THE END OF THEIR FLOSS????? | | <said in a very small voice ummmm… I haven’t. It’s not because I’m a | perfectionist either — all you have to do is look at my house to know that. | But I learned a certain way and that’s the way I always do it — it just hasn’t | occurred to me to lick my floss or tie a knot in it. I don’t see anything | wrong with knots if they make you happy, but just for the record there are | people out there who don’t knot or lick, but are still nice people who won’t be | appalled if that’s how you want to do it. And I’ll tell you a little secret — | a few days ago I made a counting error and *left* it in!!! Talk about grounds | for tar-and-feathering…. | | | | Elizabeth | | "Never attribute to malice that which can be explained by stupidity…" |
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<snip And, best of all, my 8 year old will get to see me make this just for her. My 6 yr old will know that she got one, too. I have nothing like that from my mother. I don’t care if these pictures don’t last until they are 20. For the rest of their lives, my girls will have a memory that signifies their mother’s love in a way I never felt.
This brings up one of my most cherished (now) items. My mother made me a needlepoint picture when I was about 8. It’s framed in plastic and only 5 x 7, but she MADE it for ME! My mother loves needlepoint however she never has time for it. The fact that she took the time to make something for me (and my little brother) makes me feel all misty. At the time I was more thrilled by the elephant in the picture, now I love the way she did something with her hands and didn’t buy it. I treasure a very out of square baby blanket she made while pregnant with me for the same reason. It looks horrible (she’s NOT a knitter) but she MADE it. It’s also her first and last knitting project! My mother is a wonderful person who taught me to needlepoint when I was 8 or 9. This is the only craft she has ever enjoyed so I really appreciate the connection it gives us. I try to make her something every so often, not big things because she doesn’t have room on her walls and she’s not a pillow person. However, she reads so bookmarks are appreciated, and there are always towels! Kate M. Before you buy.
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CUDOS to Jodi…i agree with you whole heartedly. There is a place for all types of stitchery. I too stitch just because I love the process…picking out the chart, deciding on the fabric, organizing my floss, etc. That is why a lot of the stitching I do is just plain old xs on aida that I sit & work on in front of the TV or while I am travelling with DH. I have quite a few lovely pieces I have done on evenweave for myself or as gifts and any number of beautiful RR pieces that are done on linen. These are things I have used my best stitching & materials on as I hope they will last long after I am gone. But the everyday kitty charts that I do are just that…MINE done to please me and to give me the solace I get from just sitting with needle in hand passing the time with my doggie & kitties near by & DH off somewhere doing his checkbook or something. There is room in our hearts for all types of stitchery and, unless something is going into competition or is meant to be an heirloom piece — IMHO — it just isn’t necessary to *always* be so meticulous about the mechanics of stitching. It is so nice to know that you are stitching special treasures for you little ones. DD has several baby kimonos that I stitched for her…and she is 33. They are faded by now & stained, etc. but she LOVES those little garments I made for her when I was preggers. But she & I feel the same as you…The MEMORY of having that stitched piece will last all of our lives…and the stitched item could be lost in a flood or fire, etc. It’s the actual stitching & the memories of the pleasure derived from it that are the the truly important things. ^;;^< CiaoMeow PAX, Tia Mary ^;;^< Angels can’t show their wings on earth but nothing was ever said about their WHISKERS!!
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So, I am sorry to get on my high horse but I am really past my limit of endurance with stitchers who treat every item they put needle to as if it were going to be displayed in the Museum of Fine Arts…as I said in my post…this type of stitchery is JUST NEEDLEWORK….we are not saving the world of needlework with these pillowcases & it just isn’t that important! IMHO of course…^;;^< PAX, Tia Mary ^;;^<
I really enjoyed your post! I really believe that for every one out there who has the time, money and energy to raise this art to a level of religion, there is one of us who just plain loves to stitch and we do as much as we can no matter how broke we are, time crunched, overstressed, unhealthy, etc. I LOVE my big Mirabilias that I am working on, but they are just peices of fabric with little x’s on them! Yes, I will get them framed professionally since they are going to my girls and I do think it would be nice if they lasted until the girls are grown. BUT, the bottom line is that I did them because I love the process. Picking out the pattern, gathering all the materials, and stitching day after day, hour after hour. Bringing myself the peace that comes with each movement of the needle. And, best of all, my 8 year old will get to see me make this just for her. My 6 yr old will know that she got one, too. I have nothing like that from my mother. I don’t care if these pictures don’t last until they are 20. For the rest of their lives, my girls will have a memory that signifies their mother’s love in a way I never felt. I am also doing Just Nan’s Patience. It is so very beautiful. It took a birthday to get the pattern from DH and kids, another month of saving to get the linen band I am working it on, a sale at JoAnn’s for the floss, and a bold credit card move to get the perle cotton a month after I started it. You better believe that when I finally finish it, it is not going into a drawer until I can afford to frame it with heirloom quality materials. Nope. This one is a gift to myself. And everytime I see it hanging next to the door inside my bedroom (on brass bellpull hardware that I will work an overtime shift to afford), I will know that I am worth beauty right here, right now. There is a time for heirlooms for future generations, but my feeling is that it is after we have made beauty for ourselves. Don’t save the china for a special occasion. Every day that you live is a special occasion!! Jodi Orlando
