Linen from a Fabric Store; can you stitch on it?

Blackhat

I have been wondering about this one for a while. Buying linen from a cross-stitch shop is expensive, and you never get very much. Also, theres the limitation of what colors you can get... has anyone tried buying linen (or linen-look) fabric by the yard from a fabric shop that sells it in bolts? If so, have you had any luck stitching on it? Is there a certain kind to look for, or some process to prepare the fabric to make it easier to stitch on?

Maybe this is a common practice among you expert stitchers, but Im still a novice. :P Please let me know!

BUSYBEE

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oopsiepoopsie

Did it end up working? I would say it might not bc not all linen is evenweave needed for cross stitch

lindakfr

I think linen is linen regardless of where you buy it. Just look for a good quality linen and try a piece.

Blackhat

lindakfr replied at 2012-3-28 08:17
I think linen is linen regardless of where you buy it. Just look for a good quality linen and try a  ...

I did actually try a piece I had on hand, but the fibers making up the grid slid around and didnt hold the floss at even the lightest tension. Im wondering if maybe I had the wrong thing, or the wrong weave...?

HollyBlue

Linen does that anyway - I always stitch over 2 with linen - never been able to stitch over 1 and have it make a cross.

Blackhat

HollyBlue replied at 2012-3-28 12:12
Linen does that anyway - I always stitch over 2 with linen - never been able to stitch over 1 and ha ...

Nuts, really? It seems like the expensive stuff I got from an actual embroidery shop (on sale -- because Im a cheapass ;P) held its form. I wonder if you just have to starch regular linen to get it that way...?

(Maybe if I did stitch over just one it would help keep the threads form bowing together...?)

stitchspider

To me they are the same. I do use my mothers cheat:  Iron and starch linen before sewing, on it seems to help keep the fabric taunt when stitching.  

Blackhat

stitchspider replied at 2012-9-16 21:52
To me they are the same. I do use my mothers cheat:  Iron and starch linen before sewing, on it see ...

Iron first, then starch? Or the other way around? (Really want to learn how to use this method; specialty fabric is getting ridiculously expensive.) Thank you. ^^

stitchspider

Blackhat replied at 2012-9-16 17:20
Iron first, then starch? Or the other way around? (Really want to learn how to use this method; sp ...

I do it all at once.  When I do it I iron, spray with starch and iron flat again. (I just use a small spray bottle filled with water and a half tablespoon of cornstarch )  This is optional though, it just makes it easier for me to sew. I do this to the linen from kits too.  

Blackhat

stitchspider replied at 2012-9-17 05:25
I do it all at once.  When I do it I iron, spray with starch and iron flat again. (I just use a sm ...

Woo hoo! I got cornstarch and I got an empty spraybottle right here! Thanks very much for the instructions! :D

Verank

Thank you for the tip- I wanted to work on linen but it seems way to difficult.