March 28, 1997
In This Issue:
From Our Readers
Clips from Chats
SHOW AND SHARE
At the Easter Sunday chat (on AOL), we were discussing tying off. I find when I teach my classes that this is probably one of the most difficult feats. I took a class last year from Kaye Guiles. She said to tie only one side off with overhand knots. The other side you should just tie surgeon's knots. I tried that on my very next project. Almost everyone of the surgeon's knot came undone! So I immediately went back to tying overhand knots on both sides. I find that while I am tying off, if I set my pleater on my pleated piece it will not move, then letting me get my knots tied nice and close to my fabric.
Also, I was taught that when doing geometrics you should tie off 1" shorter than your yoke measurement. But when doing Picture Smocking you should tie off to the exact measurement of the yoke, as Picture Smocking does not have as much give as Geometric Smocking.
I hope these tidbits I have shared will make your tieing off task a little easier.
Kathy Frank
* * *
Hi, Beth! Just a couple of comments on the latest newsletter. Sewmari's letter made me sick! $100 for labor for such an item is cheap - what did that woman mean she wanted to see an itemized list of supplies? $100 for labor is a STEAL!
Kim (RoketDream) is looking for violins - Creative Needle had a lovely plate called "Violins for Erica" - I don't remember the issue, but I think it was within the last 2-3 years. They showed it on Gil's Chicken Dress (down one-half of the bodice) and the dress was done in black and white fabrics. It was stunning! I'm pretty sure it was a Christmas issue.
Thanks for the newsletter! I'm enjoying it. Nancy Eddy
* * *
And here's a clip of a chat we had about pleaters - thought the information would interest you. Any comments, please send them in
BooBear99 : I was wondering if the new pleaters have better features than an old read pleater Gdine222 : What new pleaters? BooBear99 : My pleater is about 18 years old-any reason to upgrade? GarFairies : no that's a good one GarFairies : only reason is to get more rows Gdine222 : What more can they do to pleaters other than making pleat the fabric themselves Sew lace : are new pleaters better or the same as old ones? BooBear99 : I do not do many things that require more than 16 rows Gdine222 : I have 24 rows and never have used all of them Sew lace : what things, Boo? BooBear99 : Dresses, inserts any garment that I smock Sew lace : am asking because everyone tells me to get 24 BooBear99 : I guess if I was buying a new one I would get 24 GarFairies : the 24 row pleater is spaced 1/16th of an inch wider between the needles so you end up with a GarFairies : wider piece of pleated material Gdine222 : You would hate to need it and not have it GarFairies : I suggest the Amanda Jane because it's prettier and there are so many new features that make it more desirable. Gdine222 : Is there much of a cost difference between them Gdine222 : I have Amanda Jane and really like it GarFairies : no not much only a couple of dollars the way the pleater wars are going Sew lace : how is a pleater prettier????? GarFairies : It's black GarFairies : and the box is black GarFairies : looks so elegant BooBear99 : How much does the difference in the spacing effect the smocking outcome? Gdine222 : It is very solid well made GarFairies : and the gap in the handle is wider so you can pleat corduroy better GarFairies : and I like the way the way you can easily change the needles BooBear99 : Are the Read pleaters still made in South Africa? GarFairies : just pull out the pins unlike the other pleaters where you have to unscrew the side screws and then risk loosing them. Sew lace : Pat, don't you have an Amanda Jane? GarFairies : No their not Sew lace : has anyone ever used the Martha Pullen? GarFairies : after 16 rows there is an inch of difference between a piece pleated by 16 row and 24 row BooBear99 : The handle and space to hold the material is my biggest complaint of mine GarFairies : the pullen is ok but I'd get an Amanda Jane if I were getting a 16 row GarFairies : that's one of the features that was improved Gdine222 : I have heard that MP's are not as heavy as AJ and Read that there is more plastic parts Sew lace : so a 16 row is all I really neat for most projects? GarFairies : yes Dpsk : I have both a Pullen and Amanda Jane. The AJ is by far the easier to use and gives a nicer Dpsk : pleat I think GarFairies : unless you are wanting to smock more rows GarFairies : also doesn't the Amanda Jane have more half space rows? Sew lace : I would be doing small items, baby and toddler Gdine222 : Yes it does. Great for doll smocking BooBear99 : Another question, when pleating say 10 rows, do you remove the extra needles? Gdine222 : You want plenty of half spaces for that GarFairies : I don't but I'm lazy Sew lace : do other pleaters have 1/2 space rows or only AJ Gdine222 : I do. BooBear99 : My old read has some half spaces GarFairies : the Sally Stanley does but not as many Gdine222 : p's do don't they GarFairies : they do but not as many GarFairies : half spaces were included for smocking on sleeves Sew lace : is it best to just buy a new pleater instead of hoping to find a used one? Gdine222 : Half spaces help for picture smocking GarFairies : nowadays the doll makers love them which is why so many of the newer designed pleaters have so many
* * *
What's the difference in Flosses?
MURPHEZZY: I want to picture smock tulips for AG doll to match outfit for dtr. Any hints to help the design come out right when reduced? GarFairies : do you have a pleater with half spaced rows? MURPHEZZY: Yep...already pleated 1/2 space GarFairies : work the design in two strands of floss so it's not so thick GarFairies : and then work the design using the half spaces as rows GarFairies : think that will work? MURPHEZZY: ok...that's what I figured would work MURPHEZZY: Guess time will tell!!! GarFairies : the trick is to use the two strands of floss - don't want it too bulky GarFairies : maybe a cutwork floss would be better MURPHEZZY: right. MURPHEZZY: cutwork floss?? GarFairies : yes it's not stranded MURPHEZZY: purchased where? GarFairies : two strands of reg floss = one strand of cutwork #16 GarFairies : try a needlepoint shop to see what it looks like MURPHEZZY: match DMC? GarFairies : yes DMC makes it GarFairies : or flower thread MURPHEZZY: ok MURPHEZZY: great...will try that...if 2 strands don't work. GarFairies : also see about the new DMC Floche
(Jean was so kind as to write up a synopsis of the Creative Needle article on Smocking for dolls. It will be included in Issue #3.)
* * *
WEB SITES AND INFORMATION
I went to the www and found an address to try. The one that has the most info so far is Softworld's Sewing Resource Guide. It lists Simplicity & McCalls as well as others. The address is http://www.softworld.com/sewing/sewdir.htm.
* * *
A new web site:
http://members.aol.com/neesie1064/sewsew.htm
It's a mail order sewing directory as well as many sewing related links.
* * *
Here's a site especially for hard to find needlework books http://www.needleworkbooks.com
* * *
"Getting Old?
Everything hurts, and what doesn't hurt doesn't work.
Your mind makes contracts that your body can't keep.
The gleam in your eyes is from the sun hitting your bifocals.
You feel like the morning after but you haven't been anywhere.
You sink your teeth into a steak, and they stay there."
(there was more but I thought it better not to share)