Cross Stitch Cafe 2012

flowerofscotland

catwoman150 wrote: »

Has anyone tried Venus Thread before. My mediveal charts has given me the choice of Venus threads or DMC. I dont have a lot a money now this month and I am itching to start it, but I havent got ny thread yet


If anyone has used Venus threads before what does everyone think of them ? Are they better or the same as DMC threads?
They seem to be cheaper than DMC, just wondered what people thoughts were before I got any.

I think I may have used an odd skein (I used to take part in birthday thread exchanges so have all types of thread in my stash). I can't recall that there were any problems with it. But I'm not sure why you are saying it is cheaper than DMC - it's the same price on Sewandso and you can get DMC much cheaper than there anyway.

For a major piece I would play it safe and use DMC or Anchor - just my opinion and I appreciate you are anxious to get started and looking for the most affordable option

flowerofscotland

jamsponge wrote: »

I took the plunge this morning and bought a chart from Heaven and Earth. Its called Air. Have downloaded it. Just have to print it out. Has lots of pages, 70 pages. Might have to get more ink. I have to finish my current project first though, maybe lol.

Wow - how many stitches in the design?

flowerofscotland

sk00bie1 wrote: »

Thanks f_o_s I used 3 strands on 25ct, I find the coverage rubbish if I only use 2.

Am stitching mum's card (Assisi design from WOXS) on 25ct as thats the only evenweave I had and am using 3 strands for that as well.

I need to invest in some 28ct evenweave I think. I am looking at 28ct brittany lugana as I like the feel of the 25ct lugana and I can 'sew' it, i.e keep my hand on top of the fabric and put the needle through the fabric rather than stabbing down and then up. It harder to do with aida as it's stiffened.

Does anyone have any other recommendations/considerations for evenweave types? I did a bit of research and there didn't seem to be much difference between the types other than the fibre blends.

Catwoman - I'm afraid I haven't heard of venus threads either.

Thanks for the prompt response - I am using 28 count so I think I will try a few stitches in both 2 and 3 strands to see which I prefer.

Personally my favourite fabric is linen (Zweigart not Wichelt which I find is too stiff) with Jobelan as a close second - it's softer than Brittany/Lugana. Quaker linen which is a mix of linen and cotton is also really nice and very close in feel to 100% linen. I use the sewing method most of the time and I think this is one of the reasons why the "feel" of the fabric is important to me particularly on bigger projects.

sk00bie1

flowerofscotland wrote: »

Thanks for the prompt response - I am using 28 count so I think I will try a few stitches in both 2 and 3 strands to see which I prefer.

Personally my favourite fabric is linen (Zweigart not Wichelt which I find is too stiff) with Jobelan as a close second - it's softer than Brittany/Lugana. Quaker linen which is a mix of linen and cotton is also really nice and very close in feel to 100% linen. I use the sewing method most of the time and I think this is one of the reasons why the "feel" of the fabric is important to me particularly on bigger projects.

You're welcome! and thanks for your tips. And regarding the prompt response.... you can tell I'm at work

I've never really stitched on linen, will definately try a project on it soon though, I saw some of Jane Greenhoffs designs at a stitchy show and they have been on my 'want' list ever since!
I think I'll hunt about a bit more and will go with the lugana or jobelan, which ever I can get the best price for. And when I get paid next week I'll be investing in some polstitches hand dyed for my unicorn and the 'imagine' design, can't wait!

Oooo better get on and make a list of threads to email to across-town, think I'll be ordering enough to qualify for their 50 for however many pounds offer :money:

Chicky - I agree with much of what you've put. Many people seem to demand/expect help these days, and not returning to thank people is the height of bad manners IMO.
I'm looking forward to seeing your princess palace update

jamsponge - good luck with your HAED! I'm hoping to start on mine soon, although hanging out in the cafe means I see so many other designs I like and get distracted!

catwoman150

flowerofscotland wrote: »

I think I may have used an odd skein (I used to take part in birthday thread exchanges so have all types of thread in my stash). I can't recall that there were any problems with it. But I'm not sure why you are saying it is cheaper than DMC - it's the same price on Sewandso and you can get DMC much cheaper than there anyway.

For a major piece I would play it safe and use DMC or Anchor - just my opinion and I appreciate you are anxious to get started and looking for the most affordable option

Thanks,
I didnt even look at sewandso website. I found a website that sold them for 30p so thats why I thought that they were cheaper than DMC. I just wanted to know about the quailty of them. I think I will wait till I get paid now and order some DMC.

Anyway my Dragon has arrived so I am going to start that now so my threads can wait.

lancs-lady_2

chicky - we're not all bad!

maria_and_the_imps

sorry you feel that way chicky, are you feeling sad now ds1 is back at nursery, i always feel a bit down and lost for the first week that they are back to school, the house is to quiet with only one child in it !

chickywiggle

lancs-lady wrote: »

chicky - we're not all bad!

did I say you were??????

Your a regular poster so certainly don't fall into the ask and run category! However IIRC you won't on the original thread so probably don't get why I'm upset.

maria_and_the_imps wrote: »

sorry you feel that way chicky, are you feeling sad now ds1 is back at nursery, i always feel a bit down and lost for the first week that they are back to school, the house is to quiet with only one child in it !

Not at all hun (and for the record you don't fall into that category either no-one could ever blame you of the things that annoy me :rotfl:)
It only affects me one day a week with working the rest so use it as a catch up session.

mrs-moneypenny

chickywiggle wrote: »

did I say you were??????

Your a regular poster so certainly don't fall into the ask and run category! However IIRC you won't on the original thread so probably don't get why I'm upset.




Not at all hun (and for the record you don't fall into that category either no-one could ever blame you of the things that annoy me :rotfl:)
It only affects me one day a week with working the rest so use it as a catch up session.

you've got me worried that i do now:o, i know i whittled and asked for advice when titanic sank but i did thank everyone that suggested salvage advice. i dont post photos as often as i should but i have to get the kids to help me load them but i always admire others work and try to help if i feel i have advice worth sharing.

elliep_2

I know I've not been about for ages but I guess now is a good time to explain that I stopped posting because the thread kept moving too fast to follow. I can totally understand Chicky's point about people asking and then disappearing, though I don't want us to be an unfriendly bunch where newbies aren't welcomed. Currently I suppose newbies aren't trusted to stay, and therefore aren't given the welcome they might otherwise have had. When they've not been properly welcomed then they are less likely to stay, and so it goes on.

On a board such as this one there is a certain limit to the number of posts per day that most members can keep up with, and I know that personally I can't keep up if the board moves too fast for me. I don't know what to do about that as obviously we can't and wouldn't want to limit the number of posters.

Anyway, I'm still here, still reading what I can and will post more again if the board becomes smaller and more friendly and moves slower again.