Big projects - Help with creasing!

[Kryss]

Thanks for all your input guys. I've pretty much decided that the whole thing is a write off.

Here's how it looks after washing and a very vigorous ironing:





You can see very clearly where each of my pages started. The creasing is just too obvious.

When I was ironing it, I practically folded the whole thing over itself on the crease and ironed it. I was that violent with it. Still didn't work. So I don't think blocking is going to make a difference.

I'm actually considering just starting over and doing it again, without the mistakes this time. I know what I did wrong, so I can avoid doing those things the second time around. I mean, it only took be three and a half years the first time. I'm sure it will be faster this time.

I'm pretty stubborn.

[Newfie Princess]

How about taking it to the cleaners and asking them to steam it? During sewing projects when I need a professional seam, I'll take it to the cleaners. If you are thinking of restitching, maybe it's worth a shot?

[Mystonique]

mount it on some stretcher bars and get the cleaners to steam it. You can't let it go to waste, it's a beautiful piece.

[Raine]

I'm actually considering just starting over and doing it again, without the mistakes this time. I know what I did wrong, so I can avoid doing those things the second time around.

I'm so sorry you're having trouble! What did you do wrong and how will you avoid it the second time?

[coffee_freak]

i think you should put it on stretcher bars and get them to steam it..doesn't cost much..it is so pretty!

[Offe]

If you are going to start over, maybe it would save you time if you just restitched a few lines around the creases, not the whole thing.

[sadpingu]

I registered specially so I could hopefully help !

There is a tip here http://heavenandearthdesigns.yuku.com/t ... es-in-Work" target="_blank" target="_blank but as thats a board that needs your membership approving I thought I'd post the contents for you ....

Looking at the front of your work where you see the line and decide what color is most used. Load your needle with that color, put a sewing pin into the beginning and end of where this line shows up. Now turn the work over and find those pin markers sticking through. You have likely stitched from side to side. To try to fix this tension/line problem insert your needle and thread into the back of the stitches just above where the top pin marker is. Carefully weave it from one side to the other of these stitches down the page line indentation, that you can see here as well as on the front, down to the bottom pin marker and a bit beyond. You are not going deep enough to make this color show through the front, but you are getting enough of the back of the stitches to change the tension of that indentation line.

When you have run the thread through from top pin marker to the bottom, take a look at the front. Did this help? If only partly, then go back and weave it again, upwards this time, but weave it in and out a couple of stitches wider to the top pin. This should work.
There seems to be a weakness in the fabric that can show up because of tension changes when we stitch page by page without overlapping. This is one way to strengthen that area.

NB. If a whole finished work shows page lines, I would start at the top and follow that first line all the way to the bottom (changing thread color if needed). And then the next etc.

Hopefully this will help, it has to be worth ago as its a lovely piece !

[thatrabbitgirl]

Don't give up! Your finished piece is absolutely gorgeous!

[Kryss]

Hi everyone,

Thanks for the replies and suggestions. Sorry I didn't reply sooner, I've been refusing to think about this for a couple of days.

Sadpingu, I will give that a try because it sounds like an interesting idea.

[Kryss]

Yes, the more I think about it, Sadpingu's post describes exactly my problem. I'll give this a try tomorrow and let you guys know how it went.

Sadpingu, if this fixes it, I'm sending you a present!

[Kryss]

Sadpingu, if I knew you in real life, I would give you a big, fat, sloppy kiss right now.

This seems to be working. I'll post again once I'm finished, but it's looking good.

I can't think all you guys enough for this. I was absolutely ready to give up.

[Mabel Figworthy]

sounds promising!

[sadpingu]

I'm glad to have been able to help !

I'm looking fowrward to seeing it without the lines, it was beautiful with them

[Offe]

I hold my thumbs... (that is what we do in Sweden. If you cross your fingers it means that you are lying.)

[Kryss]

I posted in my blog about this.

http://www.stitchesbykryss.blogspot.com

Offe, you will find a nice little surprise in there too. I mentioned your website, because I stitched one of your designs this week. Very cute!

[Offe]

Thank you, Kryss! I am pleased that you like my designs.

[Kryss]

It's all finished!

http://www.crossstitchforum.com/viewtop ... 54#p338954" target="_blank