As with all of this series of small samplers, the top band is modern Hardanger. In this case, the area is a 'window' with lacy 'curtains' on either side.
Now traditional Hardanger is formed with kloster blocks that are in a four by four grid. The open areas have four threads on each side (or more if on the edge of the lace area) that go all the way across the lace and into the ground fabric on the other side. This makes Hardanger surprisingly sturdy. It had to be sturdy, it's used for table linens, towels and aprons, after all. And it holds up to fairly vigorous laundry. Historically, laundry of the 'boiling water with lye soap, wringers and washboards' type. Even though the most ornate versions were probably used for 'Sunday best' clothes and 'the preacher is coming to dinner/holiday dinner' type use, those items still had to be washed fairly frequently.
The problem is that modern Hardanger doesn't always follow the four by four rule. The other three pieces in this series did, but used shaped kloster blocks and different fillings to make their designs. THIS one, though uses four by four blocks in the 'curtains' and six by six blocks in the 'window'.
Vertically, that's not an issue, the threads running from the top to the bottom of the lace area go into the ground fabric just fine. But horizontally is another thing. There are exactly two sets of two threads each in the entire area that go all the way across. That's not nearly enough for structural stability. You can see in the photo below, the pink basting is where the threads will be cut. Especially problematic is that highlighted center bit.
It's hard to see, but the
right basting will be cut. Directly opposite that cut is a woven bar in
the 'window' section. Only four threads keep the entire thing from
falling apart.
So the solution is one that I would NEVER use with traditional Hardanger - Fray Check. I'm going to run a line of it down both sides of the center 'window' before I do the satin stitch in that area. Heresy to use it on fine needlework, but needs must.
I sure hope this works......
Now traditional Hardanger is formed with kloster blocks that are in a four by four grid. The open areas have four threads on each side (or more if on the edge of the lace area) that go all the way across the lace and into the ground fabric on the other side. This makes Hardanger surprisingly sturdy. It had to be sturdy, it's used for table linens, towels and aprons, after all. And it holds up to fairly vigorous laundry. Historically, laundry of the 'boiling water with lye soap, wringers and washboards' type. Even though the most ornate versions were probably used for 'Sunday best' clothes and 'the preacher is coming to dinner/holiday dinner' type use, those items still had to be washed fairly frequently.
The problem is that modern Hardanger doesn't always follow the four by four rule. The other three pieces in this series did, but used shaped kloster blocks and different fillings to make their designs. THIS one, though uses four by four blocks in the 'curtains' and six by six blocks in the 'window'.
Vertically, that's not an issue, the threads running from the top to the bottom of the lace area go into the ground fabric just fine. But horizontally is another thing. There are exactly two sets of two threads each in the entire area that go all the way across. That's not nearly enough for structural stability. You can see in the photo below, the pink basting is where the threads will be cut. Especially problematic is that highlighted center bit.
 |
So the solution is one that I would NEVER use with traditional Hardanger - Fray Check. I'm going to run a line of it down both sides of the center 'window' before I do the satin stitch in that area. Heresy to use it on fine needlework, but needs must.
I sure hope this works......
No comments:
Post a Comment
I am moderating comments due to getting some really nasty spam comments lately. Sorry for the inconvenience and thanks for stopping by.