I have a friend who's recently started doing counted cross-stitch. She's completed a couple of projects and is itching to try a new one. She's envisioning linen cocktail-sized napkins.
Anyone have the 411 on a good source for the linen for this kind of project? We went to the craft store -- the pre-made napkins were too large (and had tatty lace around the edges.) There was some ivory-colored Irish linen (32 count); I think she's looking for something with a larger count (if that's possible) and perhaps a truer white color.
Recommendations for catalogs, websites, embroidery shops in the DC Metro area, etc would be received and passed on with gratitude.
Thanks in advance!
I have done counted cross stitch in the past but never on linen.
She might try a regular fabric store, though, not a craft store. the important thing is that the weave is even and regular.
linen can be bleached white, but that often weakens the fibers, so usually linen is left at the off-white color referred to in the paint catalogues as (duh) linen.
What about G Street Fabrics? Even if it doesn't have an extensive embroidery section, the staff is quite knowledgeable and might be able to point her to a store with a more extensive embroidery section or emphasis.
My wife is deep into crosstitch and embroidery. We have countless books on the subject (collecting them became a hobby of hers too) and our house is decorated with framed stitchery.
As a result, I have come to learn a bit about fabric ("Mark, could you stop and pick up a yard of 24 count bone white linen on your way home?")
Larger count makes for smaller stitches. On linen she does one stitch over two threads of fabric. That means that the 32 count linen is the equivalent of 16 count Aida cloth. I think the biggest linen count I've seen is 40, but don't hold me to that. She's used enough fabric over the years that I simply go out and buy a bolt, or 10 yards of the stuff at a time when I can afford it.
For something with very small detail work, or for serious embroidery, she uses cotton or silk that can range up to 300 count.
Your friend may have to work off of cut cloth and then finish the edges herself. That's what my wife does.
Ok. The sites of choice are:
www.lacis.com - it doesn't look like much but supposedly has the best selection of stuff in the US.
http://www.haandarbejdetsfremme.dk/engelsk/produktkatalog_uk.htm - this is one of the nirvana sites for my wife. They're based in Denmark but have a US distributor somewhere. They're a bit high in the price department, but top quality materials.
Being that we're in Dallas, DC is a distant place where only politicians reside and we therefore know nothing of the place. Sorry. Can't help with local spots. But our yellow pages has a "Stitchery" section. DC has to have something like that. Stores in this field are a reflection of the owner, so finding someone with similar tastes is important.
Hope that helps.
There is a needlework store called "Needlewoman East" on West Broad Street in Falls Church. They have a nice selection of even-weave fabrics.