1 or 2 strands

welsh wendy · Post by **welsh wendy** » Tue Mar 21, 2006 10:25 am

Hello

When separating your strands do you pull 1 out at a time or 2

I read somewhere that if you separate them 1 at a time the stitch lies better but I have tried both and cant really tell the difference

Any thoughts thanks

Becca · Post by **Becca** » Tue Mar 21, 2006 10:51 am

1 at a time, but i only use one strand at a time anyway. What i do is use 1 strand and fold it in half. This way when you do the first stitch you can simply pass the needle through the loop made where the strand is folded in half, this holds the thread securely behind the fabric and no thread is wasted.

Serinde · Post by **Serinde** » Tue Mar 21, 2006 11:31 am

Two strands, side by side. I find they tend to lay parallel that way and the coverage is better.

catkin · Post by **catkin** » Tue Mar 21, 2006 2:21 pm

I do the same as Becca. I also railroad the top stitch. It takes a bit more time but the stitch lies flat.
Joan

lindagibb · Post by **lindagibb** » Wed Mar 22, 2006 2:55 am

I do the same as Becca and Catkin.

inuyashagirl · Post by **inuyashagirl** » Wed Mar 22, 2006 3:43 am

i feel like i am an echo but the same as becca and catkin

debbie

Becca · Post by **Becca** » Wed Mar 22, 2006 6:50 am

catkin what do you mean by railroad the top stitch?

an_drea · Post by **an_drea** » Wed Mar 22, 2006 1:02 pm

I separate 2 strands at a time.

catkin · Post by **catkin** » Wed Mar 22, 2006 1:23 pm

Becca - before you put your needle through the fabric to complete a cross you seperate the strands and the needle goes in between the 2 strands then down through the fabric. This stops the thread from twisting and makes the 2 strands lie side by side. I know some professional stitchers do this with both the bottom and top stitch but I just do it with the top. It takes a little time to get used to but with practice it comes as second nature. Hope that made sense.
Joan

Becca · Post by **Becca** » Wed Mar 22, 2006 1:39 pm

I am still a little confused, i understand the idea of making the two strands lie side by side but i'm not quite sure how you are doing it.

mauveme · Post by **mauveme** » Wed Mar 22, 2006 2:01 pm

I do the same as Becca but I will give railrroading a try, sounds interesting.

Serinde · Post by **Serinde** » Wed Mar 22, 2006 2:20 pm

I didn't realise it had a name! That's what I do, too; I read it somewhere -- Jane Greenoff, I think, recommends this. Makes coverage so much better, especially on 14ct Aida. And neat.

Becca · Post by **Becca** » Wed Mar 22, 2006 3:21 pm

Oooh i get it now! Yes it does look better, will it look odd if i do the rest of the project i'm working on like that, having not done it so far?

Serinde · Post by **Serinde** » Wed Mar 22, 2006 6:02 pm

Not at all! You go for it, girl.

Anyway, and as has been said many times in this forum, we are our own worst critics.

catkin · Post by **catkin** » Wed Mar 22, 2006 6:41 pm

Becca

Glad you've got the hang of it. You're work will look really professional now. I found it a bit time consuming at the begining but with practice you'll get faster. I'd still advise to let your needle and thread hang free now and again to untwist though as this will also make stitching easier.

Joan

Becca · Post by **Becca** » Wed Mar 22, 2006 6:42 pm

Ok then, my stitches will all be neat and beautiful from now on. It might take a little longer but i'm getting used to it already.

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1 or 2 strands

1 or 2 strands

one or two strands