Laying of blended threads and Q-snaps/no stand?

[CayenneCat]

Vanessa's "Madeline after prayer" has gotten me more interested in doing a Golden Kite design. What's holding me back is the laying of the blended threads (laying the threads flat).

Vanessa said she doesn't try to lay the threads, so I may be worrying too much about it, but I'd like to try to do something.

I can try to learn railroading, but it sounds like a laying tools works much better.

To use a laying tool I need to have a stand (since it takes two hands), which I'm not interested in getting right now.

I'm thinking of getting a trolley needle, but does anyone know if I can use it with Q-snaps and no stand?

If you stitch charts with blended threads, what do you do?

[rcperryls]

I have done a lot of charts that used blended threads, especially Teresa Wentzler, who was my favorite designer, before my current HAED addiction. I used a hoop as I didn't know about Q-snaps and have done them on Aida and also on afghans. I didn't know about railroading or laying tools so just stitched them as if they were a normal 2 stranded stitch and as far as I could tell they look good. I haven't really looked closely recently. One is in a frame, the others in afghans and I have given some as gifts. I'd probably railroad now since I don't have a stand either,but only because I would think I should. If that makes any sense.

Carole

[geekishly]

When I've used blended threads, I've treated them as a regular 2 strand stitch. Perhaps you should do a test with those threads to see how they look without the use of a laying tool and see from there if you want to do it in that manner?

[kimkat_tkl]

When I stitched my Scarlet Quince (also with blended threads, done in a qsnap) I just railroaded. I think with a large project you soon get used to railroading that it becomes second nature. I know that I'll railroad now on any project that uses 2 strands whether they are blended or not.

[vanessanjf]

I am just wondering which Golden kite you are interested in? It would be good to have another GK stitcher on here

[mags]

I hold fabric in hand, no frames hoops or anything. I always railroad my top stitch now, didn't take me very long at all to get used to it. It also makes me twizzle the threads more often and I only very occasionally get a knot now. Win win for me

[mechie]

My Dimension's Gold kit uses blends. I treat them the same as any other stitch. I do railroad, but I railroad all my stitches. Once you get used to railroading it doesn't really take any longer. You'd be surprised how quickly it becomes habit. Oh, and I don't use a stand either. Just a hoop.

mechie

[crafterglen]

Just a thought but not all GK charts are blended, i am doing one that you can get in solids or blends and i picked the solid.

[Lessa54]

I hold fabric in hand, no frames hoops or anything. I always railroad my top stitch now, didn't take me very long at all to get used to it. It also makes me twizzle the threads more often and I only very occasionally get a knot now. Win win for me

I'm the same as Mags, though I'm not as good at remembering to railroad. I do try though especially if the blend is of two very different colours.

[CayenneCat]

Oh wow, you all make me feel better about trying railroading! I'll give it a try today during my regular stitching to see how it looks (great idea to try a test!).

I'm interested in stitching "I Am Half Sick of Shadows".

[rcperryls]

I just took a peek at that one. It is lovely. I see that they also have mini's and as craterglen said solid color options also. It would be beautiful to stitch. I would love to watch it being done (not making any suggestions. really. I wouldn't do that)

Carole

[purvislets]

I've very recently started railroading and I love it! It took a little bit of effort just to get in the habit of it, but now it's going really smoothly and I do it almost without thinking. It slows you down a bit at first when you are getting used to it and I've noticed that I have to stop a little more often and let my needle hang down and unwind to prevent knots, but other than that I haven't had any major issues. I've mostly done single colors, but I did do one section with two blended colors and the railroading really made a big difference in the overall look.

[CayenneCat]

I just took a peek at that one. It is lovely. I see that they also have mini's and as craterglen said solid color options also. It would be beautiful to stitch. I would love to watch it being done (not making any suggestions. really. I wouldn't do that)

Nope, no enabling around here . . .

[jazz298]

I also just stitch as i normally would with 2 strands. Ive done a teresa wentzler chart which had many many blends and it looked perfectly fine

[Mystonique]

I use my trolley needle with all sorts of frames and hoops, no worries. I don't have Q Snaps but I'm certain you could use it with them. http://www.123stitch.com/cgi-perl/itemd ... -1010-TN01" target="_blank" target="_blank

[BizzieLizzie]

I've used a trolley needle and a laying tool with a floorstand and prefer the laying tool, but I've never tried either with a hoop so can't really comment on that.

I am just wondering which Golden kite you are interested in? It would be good to have another GK stitcher on here

I also have seen some GKs that I want. I won't be getting them until I've finished Coniferous Forest, though - they'll be my reward for making it through all that confetti (twisted logic: rewarding myself for doing confetti by doing MORE confetti and adding blends ).

[CayenneCat]

I'm surprised that the railroading isn't too hard. It is slowing down my stitching some, but not as bad as I thought it would. I've been able to get a rhythm going. I can see it becoming second nature.

I'm happy with the extra coverage it gives; I'm stitching black and other dark floss colors so it makes a difference.

Thank you for recommending it! I think I will try to use it on all of my cross-stitching.

I've grabbed the floss for the GK design, and found fabric in my stash. The question is where to put it in my rotation . . .