Take the Work out of Needlework:
- Is your perle cotton in a tangle? After rewinding the thread, wrap a couple of those small tab post-it notes around the skein to keep it tidy.
- Trouble threading bulky fibers onto the needle? Make a fold near one end of the thread and pass the fold through the eye of the needle.
Mending Mistakes:
- Are any thread ends visible on the front side? Color them with Sharpie® markers to match the background color.
Hints on warp threads:
- Choose your warp threads carefully. Avoid stretchy fibers with loose strands. Waxed linen is often recommended, but don't be afraid to experiment.
- Because the weft is compressed as you weave, the warp isn't visible in the finished piece except at the ends. Different thickness of warp threads affect appearance, producing a looser or tighter weave.
- Keep the tip of the needle against the paper pattern when "weaving under" to avoid trapping your thread between warp strands. Some fibers such as Nylon are more prone to this. If the weft won't compress completely, a trapped thread is probably the cause.
- If the weaving thread does catch in the warp, unthread the needle and pull the thread back until it's released from the warp. Rethread the needle and continue. Sometimes, if just a tiny strand of the warp is caught it can be clipped apart, avoiding rethreading.
A Bit About Beads:
- If you have particular beads in mind to use, make sure that the holes are large enough to accommodate the thickness of a doubled warp thread.
- Don't forget to string the beads before you begin weaving. They can be shifted out of the way temporarily while you weave, but remember to re-position them as you weave up to the spot where they're intended to be.
Notes on Needles:
- Tapestry needles are best—the blunt tips won't accidentally pierce the warp thread.
- Several sizes are available. Use what's most comfortable and easy to thread with the fiber you're using.
- The tapestry needle can be used to push down the weft when working in small areas.
- For threading thick or fuzzy fibers: A short piece of beading wire doubled around the weft thread can be pulled more easily through the eye of the needle.
Tension Tips:
- Maintaining an even tension while weaving is difficult, especially if the edges are vertical for more than half an inch or so. Any differences in how tightly the thread is pulled through will become obvious and your straight-sided piece will begin to develop an hourglass figure.
- Incorporating wire around the edges can help to keep the shape aligned with the pattern.
- Keep the thread fairly loose when making the turn at the end of each row or the outer warp threads may begin to pull in towards the center.
CHECK BACK SOON FOR ADDITIONAL TIPS!