Fabric advice

[Sarah Gixxer]

Has anyone ever tried Quaker cloth evenweave? I read that it's about 60% linen, 40% cotton or something like that, but I've never tried it. I don't like regular linen (the stuff that has the texture of "hay" and uneven holes in it), but I do like Cashel linen (which was provided in the kit of HMS Victory). Any clues as to what Quaker cloth is like would be great - there is a fat quarter on ebay really cheap that OH will get me to go with the chart he's getting me for Valentine's Day, if it's likely to suitable (I need black evenweave).

[helbel]

I think Mabel has.

From what I've seen of original Quaker wall hangings it's not very regular.

[Mabel Figworthy]

Sarah, you're right, Quaker cloth is a cotton/linen mix. It's got a slight slub but is more regular than linen. I managed to buy a large piece of black and a largish piece of "raw" very cheap, and I enjoy stitching on it. The holes are a little larger than on Jobelan or Lugana, but not as open as some linens. As it's pretty much the same price as linen when you don't bag a bargain like I did, I'd probably not buy it because I'd either use linen (for the look of it) or Jobelan/Lugana (for ease of stitching).

Had a bit of a giggle about your remark that you "don't like regular linen (the stuff that has the texture of "hay" and uneven holes in it), but do like Cashel linen" -- honestly, Cashel is also regular linen, just a different brand .

The "hay" stuff is likely to have been Permin/Wichelt linen, which is very stiff and open. DMC linen is a bit softer and less open, and Zweigart linen is softest and has the closest weave (so threads at the back don't shine through so much).

Zweigart names its linens according to count:
Cork 20ct
Dublin 25ct
Cashel 28ct
Belfast 32ct
Edinburgh 36ct
Newcastle 40ct
Kingston 55ct

I like using DMC linen for bookmarks and the like because its stiffness makes it easier to fold hems and finish with biscornu stitching, also because it doesn't fray so easily; I prefer Zweigart for anything else -- not only soft but also less slubby than the others, generally.

Hope that helps!

[Sarah Gixxer]

I had to laugh as well when I read your reply, Mabel, obviously I don't know anythnig about linen. To be honest I've only ever stitched on it twice. I stitched a World Map on some years ago, which I then finished when I joined the forum after abandoning it for years. This was beige coloured linen and it had a rough texture with uneven holes, it didn't want to stay tight in my hoop unless I tightened the hoop with a screwdriver instead of just my fingers and when I folded it, it "popped up" again so that experience put me off it.

When HMS Victory came with "cashel linen" I was all set to buy some nice soft evenweave to use, but it turned out what they provided was much nicer than the stuff I got for the map - I only wish I knew exactly what that was. Maybe it wasn't even linen.

Anyway.....thank you for the help. I think I will give the black Quaker cloth a try - I'm all for trying new things. If I don't like it enough to do my Valentine project on, I'll use it for something else.

[Mabel Figworthy]

Sarah, just one more note , Cashel is linen, it's Zweigart's 28ct. If you want linen in a different count but with the same feel, just go for any of the Zweigart linens. Personally I think they're just confusing the issue by having separate names for every count -- they used to have that with their Lugana fabric but are now starting to call it Lugana 25ct and Lugana 28ct and so on, much more informative!

Is there a reason why you want to go for black Quaker cloth (instead of a more neutral colour)? I only mentioned it because as I said I managed to buy a large piece at a good price. I'd be happy to send you some if you only want to try it?

[Sarah Gixxer]

Mabel, the chart I'm getting (a white horse and yellow flowers) calls for black fabric and I wanted to use 28 count fabric and stitch over 2 rather than use 14 count Aida. I was looking for available 28 count fabrics in black and 2 pieces came up - a fat quarter of 28 count Zweigart Brittney for £4.95 in a shop and a piece which is slightly bigger than a fat quarter of black 28 count Quaker cloth, brand new in the pack, for £2 from someone who has given up stitching and wants rid of it. I've no particular preference as to the type of fabric as long as it's nice to work with and saves as many pennies as possible. Oh dear, I'm so ignorant when it comes to materials.