{"id":8255,"date":"2016-06-03T08:07:01","date_gmt":"2016-06-02T22:07:01","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/vettycreations.com.au\/white-threads\/?p=8255"},"modified":"2017-10-24T16:45:50","modified_gmt":"2017-10-24T05:45:50","slug":"can-i-use-instead","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/vettycreations.com.au\/white-threads\/2016\/06\/03\/can-i-use-instead\/","title":{"rendered":"Can I use … instead?"},"content":{"rendered":"

This post refers to information presented in my previous post<\/a> about the supplies you’ll need for stitching early-style Hardanger embroidery. <\/p>\n

Ok, I know that I’m going to get this question and ones like it a lot (and if you’ve been thinking it, don’t feel bad, because I’m sure many others have too):<\/p>\n

Can I use [insert name and count of your favourite fabric] and pearl cotton instead of the 36 count linen fabric and the linen thread?<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

I’m going to refer you to the first paragraph in “Early-Style Hardanger” (which I know you won’t have read yet, because the book isn’t out yet):<\/p>\n

Forget everything you know or think you know about Hardanger embroidery. Early-style Hardanger embroidery is very different to what most of us recognise as Hardanger today. If you don\u2019t know anything about the embroidery, that\u2019s a great place to start.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Don’t think of this as a style you’ve already done. Think of this as a new-to-you style of embroidery. It IS different to contemporary Hardanger. Very different.<\/p>\n

So maybe you’re used to using 22 count fabric and pearl cotton for Hardanger. Maybe you’re used to using 25 count fabric and pearl cotton for Hardanger. Maybe you’re used to using 28 count fabric and pearl cotton for Hardanger. FORGET THAT.<\/p>\n

This is not the same sort of embroidery.<\/p>\n

Let’s address scale first<\/strong>
\nFor early-style Hardanger they used very fine counts of fabric and linen thread. So that’s what we’re going to use too. One of the important features of early-style Hardanger is its scale. It is small and dainty. They were emulating lace. Lace is small and dainty, so that is the scale they worked on too.<\/p>\n

All the projects in the book (bar two and a half) have been designed on 36 count linen. They are designed on that count, and they work on that scale. If you stitched my cushion, designed on 36 count linen, on your favourite 22 count fabric, it’s going to be almost double the size! If you stitch the collar and cuffs for the shirt on your favourite 25 count linen, you’re going to need a long, wide neck, and long, wide wrists. Some things you just can’t scale up successfully, and even if you do, they’re not going to have the same effect.<\/p>\n

“But I can’t see 36 count.” I know this is going to be an issue for some people. I truly believe that for many people, it is a matter of what you are used to. If you’re used to stitching small, then you can stitch small. Maybe you’re going to have to work your way up the fabric counts to smaller and smaller counts, in an effort to get your eyes used to it.<\/p>\n

But don’t forget, magnification and lighting helps. And the right spectacles. Many optometrists just don’t understand what we needleworkers want to do. So when you go for your next check up, take your embroidery, and show the optometrist what you do, where you hold it, and what scale you’re working on. Then they KNOW and can prescribe appropriately. I know that some people have specific glasses JUST for their embroidery. That could be an expensive little exercise, but think how many hours of pleasure you will get from it! Over the life of the spectacles, that cost may be much more palatable.
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