For my new book, I’ll be working with 38 count linen. This means that the linen has 38 threads per inch, in both directions of the fabric – warp (down the length of the fabric) and weft (across the width of the fabric). 38 count linen is also known as Linen 20 or 20L linen sometimes in Europe. (I don’t know what that notation means though.)
I already have tried two types, Graziano Nuovo Ricamo linen from Italy, and some Sampedro linen (I think) from Portugal. In order to know about other linens though, I am wanting to try out other 38 count linens.
I have ordered some Sotema 20L linen from Italy, and hopefully it will arrive any day now. (Can you tell that I’m waiting very excitedly for it?!)
Does anyone know of any other 38 count linens that I could try? Brands and places to get them?
The reason why I want to try them out is because sometimes linens are known as evenweave – meaning they have the same number of thread, over the same distance, in both directions – but then end up being not quite evenweave, as they may have slightly more threads in one direction than the other. If you’re not counting threads, and just using the lovely linen for surface embroidery, then its not going to matter.
However, this can cause problems with counted work as a square (based on thread count) will not end up looking square. For a small square, when there is only a slight discrepancy in thread count for each direction, it won’t make too much of a difference. But over a large distance – say on a tablecloth – it could be quite obvious.
So that’s why I want to try them out, and besides, I just like special linen!
White Threads is the blog of Yvette Stanton, the author, designer, publisher behind Vetty Creations' quality needlework books and embroidery products.
There are some Irish companies that do good quality linens, as well, and they would very probably take an interest in what you want it for!
Details? 😉
I’m also been looking for 38ct linen, other than Graziano’s. How have you found the Sotema ones? What is it like compared to Graziano’s?
Hi Wendy, I have some, but I haven’t used it yet. I have used Graziano though, and find it lovely to work with.
Comparing a piece of Graziano with Sotema (both 38ct), I’d say that Sotema looks just *slightly* more gappy between the threads. They feel very similar. Is there an aspect of the Graziano that you don’t like that you’re wanting to know if the Sotema has it? Or are you just interested in how similar or different they are?
Hi Yvette,
I only just found your site again, and thank you for responding. I like the body and smoothness of the Graziano, however find that the lack of gaps are a bit too much for my eyes, especially when stitching indoors (like in winter). So if the Sotema is slightly more “gappy” as you said, then that might work better for me. However, I’m now really apprehensive about getting linens that have a tendency to shrink. For instance, after waiting and finally trying out the Gander linen that I ordered from France, I find that they shrink disportionately in both directions after rinsing in warm water! What was supposed to be 38ct (in both directions), have become 39/40ct on the piece that I experimented with. It is an annoying problem in that I like my square motifs to be truly square, such as in a sampler.
So, still on my quest for the perfect 38ct…:)
Hmmm… I can’t think of any I’ve ever washed… Maybe that’s bad?!
Good luck in your quest. It’d be great to hear when you find the one you love. 🙂