I do a lot of whitework, particularly Ukrainian, which has eyelets as one of the primary stitches. We do eyelets by coming up in the center and going down at the edges. I find that that results in a nicer hole. Doing half of each eyelet and doing the othet half on the return trip is a great tip! The tip works the same if you go from the center out.
YLI makes a 100 weight silk thread. It's 100% filament silk. I find it lovely to work with on high counts (46 and higher). I've even used 2 and 3 strands on lower counts with great success. My favorites are color 201, a very lush red and color 211, a gorgeous very light salmon color.
Thank you Nicola! I am working on a sampler that has more than a few Algerian eyelet stitches. Never thought to travel up and back to keep the center hole open.
Absolutely loved Margaret Miles sampler, how fun! In an old book about the history of antique samplers I came across a few verses that I also thought were a bit cheeky but different and definitely a lot of fun. Thanks so much for your tutorials ❤
Wonderful video and I love Algerian eyelets. They are so fun and to reverse them was definitely interesting. Thank you again for sharing your tips especially for the scroll frame. I had got some awhile back and just started to use them. The tension is definitely worth it. I am curious about the fly fishing thread, both my sons fly fish and tie their own flies so will be looking to see how they work out for you.
Thank you, Nicola for sharing your tips and tricks! I appreciate your sharing about “planning your route”. It’s SO logical and something I never considered. I guess I’m illogical 😂. This series of videos has been extremely helpful and we are all grateful for you! Have a wonderful week.
Wonderful podcast today. I love algerian eyelet stitches and never thought about the results of carrying the thread in the back. Thank you for sharing this tip. Looking forward to seeing the new sampler the mailman delivered!!
Just finished watching this video and I loved the verse on that sampler by Margaret Miles. All I could think was: Yes (Margaret), you go girl! Glad to hear your feel you have to get that sampler reproduced, I will definitely want to stitch that verse! Will work on those new stitches of the ABC Sampler in the next few days, thank you again for all the information, tips and lessons 🙏 Enjoy the rest of your weekend. 🌺
Thank you for showing the eyelets. I obviously wasn’t paying attention because I confused the 😮 smyrna stitches for eyelets! Thank goodness my sampler is on 32 count or I’d be out stalking women with long dark hair. 🤣
As a fountain pen user I had heard of an allergy to Urushi, which is found on many hand painted Japanese pens. In time it may be cured enough to use the scissors. Your way of doing the Algerian eyelet is interesting. I may try it next time. Happy stitching!
I’m sensitive to urishi and I discovered it during summer when eating mango is part of our DNA here in the tropics. I cannot touch the skin of the fruit as I develop a nasty rash with blisters. We call the rash Mango Burn so if anyone reacts to mango it might be sensitivity to urishi.
For thread finer than Surfine, have you tried Superior Threads Kimono Silk which is a 100 weight thread? I saw this suggested by Kaylee, who is a woman who likes stitching 1/1 on 56/65 count cotton quilting fabric. I purchased a couple spools of this and it is finer than the Surfine, so much so that it barely shows on 56 count ❤
Hi Nicola, I'd recommend that you check out the stretcher bar Patoky stand before traveling. I have to say that when I used anything other than wooden hoops, the Patoky stand tends to not hold it very well--not sure if it is the added weight of stretcher bars, etc vs just a standard hoop or width of these items, but I was disappointed with the results in using the Potoky stand this way. Please understand, I love my Patoky stand, but I know its limits! Have a wonderful trip!
Interesting info about the lacquered scissor handles! I once had purchased a quantity of raw cashews and ate some each day for a couple weeks. As time went on I developed a rash and terrible 😮itching on my toes! What caused this?? After Googling I learned that cashews contain the toxin urishiol and are also related to poison I’ve, oak and sumac! Who knew!! No more raw cashews for me!
Thank you for the information on the allergy. I don’t have any concerns but information is always welcome. You stated you were searching for a fine thread, Flosstube Kaylee Cross Stitch, stitches tiny things as she puts it (56ct). The threads she uses id YLI 100 silk or Kimono silk threads, both are sewing threads. Hope that helps. I was wondering where you purchased your Millennium frames from.
Hi Nicola. If you are working on a piece with the Millenium frame, how do you store it? Sometimes, I don’t work on a piece everyday so I take the side bars out so that there is no tension on the fabric. How would you keep it covered till the next time you stitch?
Hello - I slacked the tension and cover my work with a tea towel. If I was stopping work for an extended period of time I would remove it from the frame and place it into storage wrapped in acid free tissue paper.
It is never advertised enough overseas that Cohana scissors have lacquered handles. In Japan it is well known that urushi (lacquer) can cause allergies. Lacquerware can cause allergies, although it is rare….if you are allergic to something, don’t use it again.
Have you tried using machine embroidery thread for your sampler? Those threads are very thin and my friends husband uses them for tying his salmon flies. Just a thought to pass along. I really enjoy these videos. Thank you so much for all you do for us stitchers!
Can you tell me again the name of the Etsy store for the scissor fobs? I looked in the transcript but it’s not clear. Thank you again for a wonderful video!
Fascinating as always, Nicola. By the way, I think that the 'x' on the scissor fobs that Sue made to go with the Multiplication table sampler is meant to be the multiplication symbol - or maybe you don't use x for multiplication in the UK?
