Monday 16 May 2016

Opinions Please...

By now, my readers know I enjoy to do a bit of stitchery, so my dilemma might be a surprise to you.
 What fabric do you use as a stitchery background? 

I'm struggling to find fabric I'm happy with to do some new stitcheries on. My usual go-to fabrics are not to be found & I just don't know what else to choose.
I've always gone for a milky-white-ish or pale cream colour... something of a tone on tone type of fabric. (sorry I'm not good with colour names)
I've never had joy with homespun, because in the past I've found it virtually impossible to remove creases. Even colours are proving difficult; they're either too stark white, or a very definite beige or dark cream.

I live in an area of very little choice for fabrics... the shops are either Spotlight...  or Textile Traders, which sells end-of-range/overstock/superseded fabrics from reputable brands & designers.
Perhaps I need to try a Moda solid?

Don't be shy, I'd love to know what you use & where you get it... any tips or advice will be greatly appreciated!

16 comments:

Maria said...

I usually use calico or fine hanky linen...

Kim said...

I haven't done hand stitching for many years but my go to was always Robert Kaufman's Kona Cotton white or snow.

Susan said...

I haven't done any stitcheries for a while, but I always find the French General creams just right. I'm not sure what is available now but there are a variety of creams that always worked for me. It's is hard to get cream or off white "just right" when buying online. Good luck. Another thought we be to contact a designer/shop like Marg Low or Anni Downs for a recommendation.

Peg - Happy In Quilting said...

I am bit of a linen girl I must admit ....not always the easiest thing to trace onto ....💗💗💗

Kate said...

Anthea, I've successfully used Kona Cotton, Essex Linen, and muslin. I like the muslin for my primitive pieces that are stained/antiqued. I hope you find what you're looking for.

Susan said...

Hanky Linen is always lovely to stitch on..and comes in a couple of colours...but I also like a lightish tone on tone or soft print...I have used striped fabric and even spots...just depends on what you are going to put with it.
Try to get some Best Press - it will get those creases out..if you mean the crease down the middle - though I would do that before I did the stitching..just in case..
I think Hatched & Patched has Hanky Linen and I have bought some from The Birdhouse (Natalie Bird)...Perth Craft show coming up this week....could be worth a visit...

KimM said...

I like linen....it makes up great.
xxx

sunny said...

I won't weigh in because I live in the land of a million options. I am partial to Kona Snow though. Good luck!

Jeanette said...

I usually use tone on tone fabrics but hanky linen is lovely to use. Hugs,xx

Ondrea said...

Over a decade ago when I first started doing stitcheries I used calico which I loved. I have used cream or white background fabrics and other pale colours too but my favourite is linen. I have stitched most of mine on ecru linen and you can get other shades. I find that printed fabrics can be hard to see through to trace the designs and sometimes the prints are raised. Maybe you just need to try different things until you find something that suits you. I think Red Brolly sells the linen but I do have difficulty finding it.

Fiona said...

I use a variety - hanky linen is my favourite but light tone on tones or plains... depends on the project and what is going on it. After tracing I always back with parlan or whisperweft.
Hugz

Anonymous said...

Hi Anthea i use anything that i think will suit the project,lol and as long as i can through it to trace my pattern :)

Jo said...

I'm with Shez... I use anything that suits the project...

Yvonne W said...

I bought some nice linen from Marg Low's online store, if I am not mistaken-- I bought it early last year. Check out here store and see if she as some. Enjoy your new project.

Wendy said...

I started using Kona white or snow from Robert Kaufman years ago when I could no longer get access to the hanky linen that I was used to using. I love the way it handles and usually buy yardage to have it on hand.

Anonymous said...

The hanky linen IS nice, but I have to admit I've done a lot on just plain old muslin, either white or natural. I don't know if muslin in the US is the same as muslin down under, of course, but I wash it in hot water to shrink it, and it's a nice fabric for stitching. One of my favorites is the cheapest 36" wide one at JoAnn's! I would go through spotlight just feeling fabrics until you find one you like. I know Jenny of Elefantz embroiders on hanky linen, but she also stitches on gingham and tilda. Go with how it feels to you. And you're lucky, because you can get whisper weft down under!

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