Stitches

I need help with an embroidery thread stains on fabric after I take the thread out.? I embroidery large purple letters on my project and then dicovered a defect in the project so I am taking out the letters, but there is a trace of purple still apperent. The fabric is a cross stitch 14 count I beleive, it was originaly whitek, but I died it taupe with a fabric die from the store. I want to know how to get the purple traces out, so I can re-embroider the purple in a slightly different place. I can not wash the entire project since it has embroidery elsewhere. But I can hand wash this part. I want to know if there is any soap to use, or tool. thanks.

hand embroidery question? can anyone give me easy steps on how to back stitch on cross stitch fabric please!!!! it would help alot!

My embroidery hoop is leaving a circle imprint on my aida fabric? this is my first cross-stitch project and i was doing it without a hoop but didnt like how my left hand made the left side of the fabric flimsy from holding it so much. So i got a hoop but now, whenever i take it off, there is a circle imprint on my aida fabric. i might stop using the hoop due to this. How can i get rid of the imprint? thanks.

how to print iron on transfers for hand embroidery? Is there any way to print these kinds of iron on transfers from my computer: http://www.bastens.com/fabric-transfers-iron-aunt-marthas-envelope-cross-stitch-colonial-girl-3419.html if not, is there anywhere where I can have my drawings printed on that type of paper? the iron on transfer paper you get at Staples essentially irons on a patch with a photo printed on it. I'd like the traditional kind of iron on transfer for embroidery, but I can't seem to figure out how to go about it. and I know I can print then trace it, but tracing is impossible for me. my drawing always come out wiggly and lopsided. thanks!

How do I get started doing embroidery? I'd like to hand-embroider a large pure silk cloth for an upcoming wedding. I've never embroidered before, but I'm pretty good at picking up new crafty skills. Are there any good websites that can get me started? I'm particularly looking for information about how to mark patterns onto the fabric, different types of stitching, and where I can get patterns. Thanks!

How do I make felt cozies? Like these: http://ny-image1.etsy.com/il_fullxfull.53241041.jpg http://ny-image2.etsy.com/il_fullxfull.53343438.jpg How do you do the stitching (by hand)? What should I use, embroidery floss? Do you think the hearts are glued on? If so, can you recommend a good fabric glue? FYI: I'm not trying to replicate and try to sell, I just want a hobby.

The start of my novel. Opinions please? This is the opening to my novel. If it's badly written, or dull, I want to know. Or does it slowly draw you in (there's not an obvious hook, I know). Grammar, sentence construction and structure - I want to know what you think. Please be honest. Thank you! She laid out the colourful skeins of embroidery threads in systematic rows according to colour, shade and depth, until the surface of the table was covered in gleaming silks. An inch of pale oak separated the groups of assorted skeins so the table was now a luminous patchwork, the blocks of colour vivid in the shabby room. In the corner, her mother, still agile, was kneeling hunched over the shears as they sliced through fabric, faded soft cotton-lawn pyjamas, crisp cotton skirts long since outgrown, the fronts and backs and sleeves of her dead husband’s well-worn shirts, confidently cutting triangles, rectangles, squares and diamonds, all by eye. Her mother did not cut curves. The overall design and pattern was achieved by arranging precise geometric shapes only. If a curve were required she would combine rectangles, triangles and squares, overlapping where necessary (which only added substance to the quilting) to give the clever illusion of a gradual arc. But the component parts were always precisely cut angular shapes. She was not an artist. She couldn’t draw a likeness with pencil or paint but she could work coloured threads and fabric expertly by hand using tiny stitches meticulously placed with the dual purpose of joining together the small pieces of fabric in pleasing colour combinations by means of intricate hand quilting on the reverse that was decorative and unique. They worked silently, concentrating on their tasks. The only sounds the steady familiar rasp of the scissors’ rhythmic action and the gentle hiss and crackle of the ray-burn stove, it’s humid warmth permeating the room. Daisy, the daughter, wants to be only that - her mother’s daughter, at this moment, on this day. Today, and over the last few days, she is seeking a return to something she has lost. Her mother instinctively knows this – there has been little conversation between them – and the stillness is comforting to them both. Having finished sorting the skeins of thread, Daisy sits gazing at all the myriad colours laid on the table. She takes her time choosing three toning shades of crimson and tucks them swiftly up her sleeve. She rises and pads across the worn flagstones to the door at the far edge of the room. With a fleeting glance towards her mother she snibs the door quietly shut and tiptoes up the stairs to her room. It is not really her room but the room where she has recently stayed, here, at her mother’s house. Now, because it alone is unchanged in her life, it feels more familiar to her than any other room, anywhere. The bed with its cold iron frame could remind her of school, but doesn’t - the quilt, chequered with brilliant azure and blues from duck egg to clear turquoise, trellis-stitched with hundreds of deep blue diamond-shaped pillows, removes any association there might have been. She wonders if her mother knows how fashionable the room is now, the original time-darkened boards varnished and scattered with two well-worn rugs. A pine chest sits under the sloping planes of the window recess, and on it stands an old French mirror, framed by ornate gilding that is chipped and flaking. Daisy opens one of the small drawers and pulls it fully out till it meets the stop. She bends her wrist upwards to stretch her fingers towards the back, feeling for the tapestry needle and the small pair of needlework scissors, stuck to the underside of the top of the chest with sticky tape, that she had hidden there years before. They’re still there, as she knew they would be. She puts the needle between her teeth and with the scissors dangling from one finger, lifts the mirror and places it on the floor to one side of the window recess. She puts the scissors and the three skeins of silk next to it on the floor. Crossing over to the bed, she tugs at the quilt and drags it across the boards to where daylight floods the room. She lays it carefully on the floor and, sitting cross-legged, drapes the quilt over her knees and now she’s inside a cosy envelope. She takes the needle from her lips and places it carefully on the floating table of multicoloured silk that tents across her knees. Her hair is tucked behind her ears in a swift unconscious movement. She shifts forward to where daylight hits the mirror and peers at her image as, one by one she begins to remove her piercings.

Question about making a quilt? My Granny just passed away last week and we buried her on Saturday. She was 63 and she'd had survived breast cancer only to develop Myelofibrosis and dehydrate to death after 3 weeks on hospice. I loved her so much and I miss her terribly =( Anyway, she made several quilts throughout her life from simpler block patterns to a fancy puffy quilt to a yoyo quilt that took her a year to hand sew. We displayed them at her funeral. It made me think that I'd like to make one. So today, I used the Christmas money my grandparents gave me to buy 5 printed fabrics (1 yard each) and a cutting mat and rotary cutter. My mother in law gave me a sewing machine last year and I have pretty much everything I need and I know how to sew pretty well. So... I found this quilt: http://www.serendipitypatchwork.com.au/classic/bluestarwreath/bluestarwreath.JPG that I'd like to make. What is it called how the quilt has almost like embroidery stitches all over it? Is that necessary? The sewing machine I have is nothing fancy-- just a basic Kenmore 385.16130200 model. Can that stitching thing be done on it? Is it necessary? Normally I'd call my Granny... And no one else in my family knows how to sew. Thanks.

A questionnaire on handbags is right there.? Pleese fill it out if really interested. I thank all the girls who welcomed my query. QUESTIONNAIRE A survey to study the preferences of girls (14-20 years of age) regarding the use of daily use handbags (Please note that the questionnaire presented is solely being used for study purpose, and all the data collected from it will be kept confidential.) Q#1. Name:___________________________________________ Q#5 In your view what is fashion? (may choose one or two) a.Something everyone likes to follow. b.Something that improves one’s personality in addition with the general good looks that are considered appropriate in a certain period of time. c.Something that make people be emphasized in the contrasting environment. d.No idea. e.Any other (specify) ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Q#6. According to your view of fashion, do you think you are fashionable? a.No b.Yes Q#7. If yes, you tend to be fashionable, a.always b.mostly c.randomly d.seldom e.never Q#8. you carry your purse/ hand bag for the purpose of a.carrying your goods and accessories. b.Fashion c.Both. Q#9. What material is preferred by you for your purse/ handbag? (select one) a.Leather b.textile fabric (cotton, jute, synthetics as jerseys, nylon, polyester, acrylics etc. Crotchet bags included) specify please _________________________________________________ c.suede (rough, soft, napped leather with a velvety touch) d.metallic e.metallic leather ( leather with glossy appearance) f.Fake leather g.Glossy fake leather h.Jelly Kelly (transparent rubber bags) Q#10. Your favorite colors for you bag/ purse (select one) a.greens and blues b.blacks, grey c.brown, fawn, mustard, skin color d.reds and burgundy e.others in the rainbow (pinks, yellow, orange, purple, multicolor etc.) f.white g.no specific preference. Q#11. Which is your favorite style? a. hobo ( casual purpose bags with prominent shoulder straps.) b. tote ( a bag which is usually over sized, with two shoulder handles. The placement of handles specifies the purse as the tote purse; see picture) c.satchel ( hand carry only bag (some come with a detachable shoulder strap as an option which makes this a convertible bag), comes in a variety of shape but rectangular shape (east west) is the most popular). d.messenger (A bag that has straps that crosses over the body, usually holds books or a laptop. A traveling type bag.) e.clutch ( Similar to an envelope, doesn't have any straps or handles, usually held in hand) hobo style: Tote style: Satchel style: Clutch style: Q#12. While buying a hand bag, you consider fashion, a.always b.randomly (depends on mood) c.never Q#13. Which size suits you most? a. large size b.medium size c.small size. Q#14. How often do you purchase a new bag/ purse? a.occasionally b.annually c.half yearly Q#15. How many pockets do you prefer to be in your purse? a. one b. two c. more Q#16. Safety pockets/ mobile pockets should be ________ in number. a.one b.two. Q#17. According to your order of preference, number these factors as you consider them while selecting a hand bag/ purse for your self for daily use. ( ) fashion ( ) color ( ) style ( ) price ( ) material ( ) stitching quality and finishing ( ) usability ( ) durability Q 18 Do you like embellishments on your handbags or purse a.yes b.no Q 19 Your preferred embellishments: a.Jewels b.Beads and fake stones c.Embroidery d.Engraving /self patterns e.Sequences Q #20 Describe the bag that you intend to buy next time. ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ THANK YOU

Sewing - Considering a Janome Sewist 521 Do you own, repair, or sell this machine? I am considering purchasing a Janome "Sewist" 521 sewing machine online, and I would like to know a few things about it. Does this machine have a belt inside, or does it work with some kind of gear mechanism? Does this machine have metal or nylon gears inside? Are the gears inside likely to wear in ten years with moderate use (sewing project every other month, including heavier fabrics)? Will this machine handle jeans and bags made from heavy upholstery fabrics and vinyl? Is this machine relatively quite? Do you own one or work in repairing Janome 521? If so, do you like this machine? Personal thoughts? *Side note - I am an occasional, intermediate level sewer and I will be using this machine primarily for garments, bags, alterations, home decor, and the occasional Halloween costume. Quilting and embroidery are not a consideration for me. I am mostly familiar with older machines. (I even used to sew on a straight stitch, 1950's, Electro Hygiene that stitched lightening fast and I loved, till I lost it in a move.) The machine I have used the most over the past ten years is a White, manufactured about 30 years ago. Between those two machines and an old Viking serger that I bought for next to nothing, I've been able to do all that I needed. I am nervous about purchasing a newer sewing machine because I have heard that they are just not built with the same high standards as machines of the past. On the other hand, my old White has really (really) been showing it's wear the past year or so, and I've been thinking about how nice it would be to have a quieter machine with more accurate tension controls and stitch selectors. At this point, I think the White is not worth servicing any longer, so I need to invest in a new(er) machine... but is the Janome the machine for me? Question 3 - just to clarify - "sewing project" could mean just something simple like hemming some pants or patching some jeans.

A questionnaire on handbags is right there.? Pleese fill it out if really interested. I thank all the girls who welcomed my query. QUESTIONNAIRE A survey to study the preferences of girls (14-20 years of age) regarding the use of daily use handbags (Please note that the questionnaire presented is solely being used for study purpose, and all the data collected from it will be kept confidential.) Q#1. Name:___________________________________________ Q#5 In your view what is fashion? (may choose one or two) a.Something everyone likes to follow. b.Something that improves one’s personality in addition with the general good looks that are considered appropriate in a certain period of time. c.Something that make people be emphasized in the contrasting environment. d.No idea. e.Any other (specify) ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Q#6. According to your view of fashion, do you think you are fashionable? a.No b.Yes Q#7. If yes, you tend to be fashionable, a.always b.mostly c.randomly d.seldom e.never Q#8. you carry your purse/ hand bag for the purpose of a.carrying your goods and accessories. b.Fashion c.Both. Q#9. What material is preferred by you for your purse/ handbag? (select one) a.Leather b.textile fabric (cotton, jute, synthetics as jerseys, nylon, polyester, acrylics etc. Crotchet bags included) specify please _________________________________________________ c.suede (rough, soft, napped leather with a velvety touch) d.metallic e.metallic leather ( leather with glossy appearance) f.Fake leather g.Glossy fake leather h.Jelly Kelly (transparent rubber bags) Q#10. Your favorite colors for you bag/ purse (select one) a.greens and blues b.blacks, grey c.brown, fawn, mustard, skin color d.reds and burgundy e.others in the rainbow (pinks, yellow, orange, purple, multicolor etc.) f.white g.no specific preference. Q#11. Which is your favorite style? a. hobo ( casual purpose bags with prominent shoulder straps.) b. tote ( a bag which is usually over sized, with two shoulder handles. The placement of handles specifies the purse as the tote purse; see picture) c.satchel ( hand carry only bag (some come with a detachable shoulder strap as an option which makes this a convertible bag), comes in a variety of shape but rectangular shape (east west) is the most popular). d.messenger (A bag that has straps that crosses over the body, usually holds books or a laptop. A traveling type bag.) e.clutch ( Similar to an envelope, doesn't have any straps or handles, usually held in hand) hobo style: Tote style: Satchel style: Clutch style: Q#12. While buying a hand bag, you consider fashion, a.always b.randomly (depends on mood) c.never Q#13. Which size suits you most? a. large size b.medium size c.small size. Q#14. How often do you purchase a new bag/ purse? a.occasionally b.annually c.half yearly Q#15. How many pockets do you prefer to be in your purse? a. one b. two c. more Q#16. Safety pockets/ mobile pockets should be ________ in number. a.one b.two. Q#17. According to your order of preference, number these factors as you consider them while selecting a hand bag/ purse for your self for daily use. ( ) fashion ( ) color ( ) style ( ) price ( ) material ( ) stitching quality and finishing ( ) usability ( ) durability Q 18 Do you like embellishments on your handbags or purse a.yes b.no Q 19 Your preferred embellishments: a.Jewels b.Beads and fake stones c.Embroidery d.Engraving /self patterns e.Sequences Q #20 Describe the bag that you intend to buy next time. ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ THANK YOU

If I remove embroidery by hand will it ruin the fabric or leave holes from the stitching? I have a very nice coat that has an embroidered logo on it but I want to remove the logo. If I remove the stitching will it look bad because of the holes from all the stitching?

Do you think the price for these jeans is to high? I am charging $199 for these jeans I made. (I'm a recent Fashion Design graduate.) I made the pattern, cut the fabric, sew them together and did the embroidery by hand. The embroidery took about 10-12 hrs. (If you don't believe me then you've never done cross- stitch.) True Religion and Rock and Republic have jeans that are like $269 and they are plain. My jeans are exclusive, there are only 6 pair made. So what price would you put on them if you designed them? http://www.myspace.com/ga_fashionista

Craft supplies in Cairo? I posted this question before, but received incorrect information. So anyway, if you know where I can find a good craft supply shop I'd appreciate your answer. I know that Kol Shei2 sells stuff for cross stitch, knitting and embroidery, but they don't don't have enough variety to choose from when it comes to wool. I can't find anything cashmere or silk, and there is no wool that is suitable for felting. Also, I can't find precut wool for latch hooking. I've tried quilling, though the proper tools and supplies were not available, and I've also tried my hand at patchwork and quilting, though the process of finding suitable fabrics that matched was difficult. So, I'm basically baghzil birigl 7omar! Right now I'm looking for felt in a variety of colours and also for plastic canvas. Nobody seems to even know what I mean. So if you know where I can find these materials, please help! Thanks, Hope. I know them and they have several branches. They r just like Koll Shie2 and Castella, except that the sales persons are very rude! They don't have what I'm looking for. Thanks anyway. Thanks a lot Ruby. I'll give them a call. I just gave them a call. Universal arts and crafts specialize in stained glass supplies only...I've already got those! Egypt crafts center don't sell supllies. They sell crafts from different parts of Egypt like pottery and baskets...etc Thanks a lot anyway for your effort and time. Carmenasks, I saw some kits for children in some of the larger toy shops that have stuff for candle making. Some of them were really nice. You may want to take a look at them.