Sewing - FAQ's

For some time now I have wanted to have a section where I can answer some of your frequently asked questions I receive via email - I get asked many of the same questions so I hope you will enjoy reading through the answers.

Of course these are just my thoughts and how I stitch my designs, there are so many different ways, thoughts and ideas on how to accomplish a project and I certainly don't claim to know them all.

Please if you have a question you would like me to answer just send me an email and I will try my best to answer it for you - enjoy!

Natalie x

Why do you use interfacing on the back of your stitchery?

Using interfacing ironed to the back of your stitching fabric will help stabilize the cotton fabric, I find it makes the fabric easier to handle while hand stitching and helps to reduce puckering and fabric distortion.

Where can I buy Cinderberry Stitches patterns from?

Please just ask your local Patchwork store if they are able to stock the Cinderberry Stitches designs for you or place a special order - that way they will be available for you to enjoy in your home town. 

There is a list of online stores on my blog (to the left of the screen) who stock and sell patterns or may be able to place a special order for you.

Do you wash your fabics and fat quarters before using them?

I very rarely prewash my quilting fabrics and use them straight off the bolt, washing tend to remove the sizing in the fabric and sometimes makes it harder to work with (though you can always use a little spray starch).  I did wash the fat quarters a while back and posted a picture on my blog, I did this at the time as I had a lot of trouble getting the crease lines out, washing seemed to be the only option. 

  

I hand washed these rather than putting them in the machine and don't use detergent.  I have read if you use the machine clip all four corners of the fabric to prevent it from fraying at the edges - great idea, though I have not used the technique myself.

 

The only time I would pre wash is if the fabric had a chance of dye running (ie. using solid bright colours or cheaper fabrics).  I test for dye run by snipping a sample and putting this in a glass of warm water - leave it for a while and if the water is clear it should be ok to use without pre washing.

What pens do you use to transfer the stitching design?

There are many different pens on the market which you can purchase to transfer stitching designs - wash away markers, lead pencils and permanent pens or markers

Drawing the design onto your fabric lays the foundation for the entire project, if the pen marks are too wide you will see them under the stitching, the same with thick pencil marks which generally do not disappear.  

So if you spend so much time stitching you want a fab result in the end, right?  This is why I use the Zig pens or Pigma pens.  Both are permanent so you have to be a little careful when drawing and they come in various nib sizes so choose one with a very fine tip, so fine that you can still cover the line with a single strand if required.

The color of the pen is also important, I use a brown or sepia color which is not as obvious as black lines and also easier to cover with light and pale threads.

Do you use anything behind your stitchery design?

Yes you do need to use a light weight iron on interfacing on the back of your fabric before beginning the stitching.  Right now I am using a product called Vilene H410 (often used in dress making) it is light weight and woven and does not have any bulk.

There are also two products called Weaveline and Stafflex which are also very nice to work with and perfect if you plan to applique the piece once stitching is finished.

 

Do you use a hoop?

Up until a little while ago I would have answered no to this question but I am now a convert to the Klipfast frame and can not stitch without it. It really makes long hours of stitching a breeze.  It hold the fabric firmly and tensions it perfectly while removing the stress on your hands and arms while sewing for long periods.

What threads do you use?

I use both COSMO and DMC stranded embroidery cottons to stitch my designs.   Each skein is made from six strands of cotton thread, I separate the threads and do most of the stitching using just two stands - very fine work or small features are stitched with one strand only.  I do have a preference to COSMO as the thread feels like silk to work with and does not seem to knot or tangle as much when stitching.

What fabric do you use to stitch on?

There are many fabrics on the market that are suitable for stitcheries I tend to use fabric which is plain with little print to feature the stitching.  I am currently using Moda solid in snow and have just discovered Hanky Linen in Birch.

Some of my early designs were stitched with Teastain 1045 by XLN this fabric has a mottled appearance as though it has been tea dyed.

Do you stab with your needle or weave it?

Yes, when backstitching I stab stitch - this way of stitching is much easier when you are using a hoop or stitching frame. I find my stitching is smaller and the thread sits more evenly on the fabric surface.  It was slower to stitch this way to begin with but I find the results are worth it.

How small are your stitches?

I take many of my blog photos with a marco camera lens and get in really close to the design, so it is hard to see the scale of the stitching from where you are sitting.  The divine Miss Mouse is helping me with this answer, the backstitch and blanket stitching in this photo is sewn at about 15 stitches to the inch.

My stitching is generally small but can vary - staight sections are a little longer, curved sections can be really small to get those smoother rounded edges.  And if I have had a glass of wine, they can get really wonky...

Find a stitch length you are comfortable working with

Have you got a question for me?

Please either email me or leave a comment and I will try to help you further!

Comments

[trading penny stocks]

You are amazing! So many beautiful designs.
you have great stuff!!!
and great art is made from it.

[penny stock trading]

Knowing your customers and competition is crutual to run good marketing strategy.

[Amanda]

I'm currently doing an Afghan but I'm unsure of how to finish the backing.
I'd be grateful for any suggestions as its for my children and I'm sure it will be washed a few times. I just don't want it to all wash out when it does get washed. Thank you in advance.
Amanda

[DTC]

Your post is rocking and knowledgeable… I really appreciate the way you write . I would like to read more from you

http://www.portagellc.com/

[Judy jende]

Hi natalie
Had a lovely time last week end in daylesford. Thanks for your tutoring loved chatting with you. Stitching your projects at the moment love to catch up again
Take care Judy jende

[MªCarmen]

Hi Natalie!! I'm MªCarmen from Barcelona, Spain. I just wanna say that I have enjoyed your blog. It's very instructive.I like to follow blogs all over the world just to see different things!! I invite you to follow mine: http://labrujitadelpatchwork.blogspot.com.es/
Greeting from spain!!

[Charlie Brown]

I like to spend my free time by reading different web resources and today i came across your blog and I believe that it is one of the best free resources available! Well done! Keep on this quality!

[Hotjobs]

Happy New Year! Happiness and success in 2011.

[Rental]

Hi Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

[Rental]

Happy New Year! Happiness and success in 2011.

[Realestate]

Hi Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, a cool site I like

[school_dubl]

With the new 2011. Year! Congratulations.

[JOBS_frend]

You write well will be waiting for your new publications.

[Antivirus_man]

Merry Christmas! I wish you a lot of gifts and luck in the new year.

[Natalie Lymer]

Hello Louise, thank you for asking & no question is a silly one! I always press my seam to one side and generally away from the stitchery design. As a general 'rule' I was taught to press your seam toward the darker fabrics, of course I break the rules sometimes if the seam sits better in one direction than the other. I hope that makes sense - I love show and tell so please be sure to send me a picture when you have finished! Thx - Natalie

[Louise]

Hello. This may seem like a silly question, but aren't they the ones others wish they asked as well!?? I am at present attempting to put together your quilt, Truly Srumptious, since this is only my 2nd quilt ever to be attempted I thought I would ask your expert advise. Now, here is my question. When sewing your fabrics together, do you, when ironing them, iron the seam allowance out flat, or do you keep it together ironing it to one side. There is something nagging me in the back of my mind saying I should be keeping my seams together, though I am totally doing the opposite. Hope you can help with this one Natalie. By the way, your work is Truly Beautiful, I just love it. If you are interested, I will send you a picture of my finished product, so far it is looking pretty good, teaching myself as I go. I also have a lovley husband who will stop what he is doing and together we figure it out. All the best. Louise.

[Renai]

Hi Natalie,
Those Klipfast frames look good, do you know where i can purchase one in Geelong?

[Sandra Martin]

Hi Natalie, I just love all your designs and at the moment I'm stitching the Tail Feathers Quilt and it's just beatiful! I've also fallen in love with the Vintage Garden Quilt but am finding it terribly hard to find a store that sells this as a BOM. Also can I ask what fabric range you used in this quilt because I just love the colours. Thank you Sandra

[Liz]

Why do you use interfacing on the back of your stitchery? Another designer recommends it too, but I'm not sure I understand what the benefit is.

Thanks!

[Cherie]

Natalie, thank you so so much for your help re 'to wash or not to wash' fabrics. It is such a wonderful idea to be able to post queries to you, as often it is the smaller things that can confuse 'newbies' so thanks for offering your vast knowledge and common sense to us! Regards from Cherie

[Cherie]

Hi Natalie, am loving your blog and viewing all of your beautiful handiwork. Just a query from someone who is a 'new' and already confirmed stitchery addict; do you wash all of your fat quarters before using them? I notice a lot of patterns state 'all cottons should be pre-washed before using' just wondering as I can remember seeing fat 1/4's hanging up drying....are they washed in the washing machine with normal detergent or are they handwashed? Many thanks, regards Cherie

[Natalie]

Hi Penny - the weaveline is ironed to the back of the stitching fabric before you start your hand stitching, enjoy - Natalie

[Natalie]

Hi Joan - Treasured Threads an online store in US are selling the Tail Feather's patterns without fabric, you will find the link to the store under the list "stockist" to the left of the screen - happy stitching, Natalie

[Joan Soresnen]

I would like to buy JUST the pattern for the tail feathers quilt. is it available in the US without the fabric kit?

[Penny Fraley]

Do you iron the backing on the fabric before or after stitching?

[Julie]

Karla The klip fast frame is called the q-snap frame in the USA. I found mine at jo-ann's fabric online. They also have some of the larger sizes in the store. Hope that helps Julie

[Natalie]

Hi Scarlette, check with you local Patchwork store first for fabric or try The Fat Quarter Shop online store, they have some suitable fabrics for stitching!

[scarlette]

hi natalie, i am having trouble finding plain white or off white homespun in the US or for that matter on websites. (or for that matter, any solid) any suggestions on where to find it. thanks, scarlette

[Penne]

Thanks for covering all those subjects, ones I am always asked of my work or ones I even ask of others. I am curious about the iron on product. Sometimes I find the iron on pellon (in the USA) leaves a funky look to the front side of my stitchery. Do you ever feel that way with your product. And where can we get that product in the USA?
Thanks so much for sharing.

[Leah]

Thanks, great idea, Sounds like I may need to invest in a Klip Fast Frame, they look much easier than the old hoop.

[Fiona@Dragonfly-Crafts]

Thanks for those tips Natalie. I'm a hoop using girl and find stabbing makes my stitches more even, flatter etc too so I feel much better now I've read you tips. I'm still a bit slow but I'm also a perfectionist so I'll take slow. Thanks again.

[Paula]

Thank you very much for sharing this information! I would love to know about the size and brand of needles you prefer too =)

[Karla]

Thank you, the information you provided helped answer my questions. But I am unsure of Teastain 1045 by XLN can you find that in the USA? Also how does one find a Klipfast frame? I have been doing stitchery for years and just been using hoops, the plastic with a lip on it to keep the fabrics from slipping. I will be checking into the Weaveline also something new for me to try. Is it lightweight enough to quilt through? Thank you for your faq's page. One problem I have is hand marks on my stitchery,trying to remove that. Any suggestions?

[Julie]

Thanks for all of your answers, you're such an inspiration!! Julie~WI

[Natalie]

You are welcome Eva!

[Handmade]

What threads do you use?

[Eva]

Oh! Thank you, thank you, thank you for this information.

[Nancy]

Ok, really bad language skills in that last question. lol I meant to ask what fabric you usually use to stitch on?

[Nancy]

What is your fabric to stich on?