Lesson 2 Materials
Lesson 2 Materials
Lesson 2 Materials
1. Fabric- sometimes referred to as cloth, are of great variety and they differ in material, weight,
weave, design, color, and finish.
Common weave- includes most tightly woven fabrics with a relatively smooth surface
like linen, wool and cotton. They are best used for articles with decorative stitches.
Even-weave- are intended for hardanger embroidery since the number of threads per
square inch is same for both warp and woof.
Basket weave- is commonly used by beginners and ramie linen by those who have
been used to this embroidery. It supplies guidelines for cross stitch and smocking
having an evenly spaced pattern like gingham cloth and polka dots.
All fabrics should be prewashed before using them for quilting or embroidery. The
filler that is used in the fabric can cause havoc if it is not removed by washing prior
to working with the fabric.
2. Thread- is available in various types. They differ in terms of texture, fiber content, number of
strands and colors. Threads are usually coded in numbers and color names. They can be
bought in skeins, balls or spools. The color of the thread should suit the color and texture
of the design and the fabric to be embroiders,
Discoloring and fading—Threads, especially rayon, will fade when exposed to sunlight for
extended periods of time. If your threads are stored on a window sill or anywhere that
sunlight can strike them full force, you risk fading and discoloring.
Lint buildup—Threads that sit out, exposed to the elements of your shop’s environment,
are prone to dust and lint building up. Over time, such buildup can sink down into the
threads. When the thread travels through the upper thread path, it takes the crud with it,
dispensing it along the way onto critical surfaces (such as tensioners) that need to remain
clean and smooth. The end result will be inconsistent upper thread tension and possible
thread breaks.
Brittleness—In addition to discoloring and fading, excessive exposure to sunlight can dry
out the thread and lead to brittleness in the fibers. Obviously, this will weaken the thread
and lead to excessive thread breaks.