When I am doing stitching demos at fairs and shows, folks are always surprised to see me using my laying tool. “What’s that tool you are using?” or “Why do you use that?”, they often ask. I love using my laying tools to get the best results for my stitching. For those new to the concept, a laying tool is a long stick or stilleto that is used to smooth your stitching. Why use it? Well, here are some good reasons:
1. When using multiple strands, it helps to lay them side by side.
2. Keeps ribbons or flosses from twisting.
3. Keeps your threads from knotting up.
4. Helps to regulate your stitch tension.
5. Helps you to get the most sheen from your threads, because the threads are laying flat and aren’t twisted.
6. Helps to get maximum coverage over your ground.
Every stitcher would do well to have a laying tool in their sewing basket. Now, obviously, if you do all your work in hand and not on a frame, you probably will not want a laying tool,at this time, but there are many reasons to start working with frame that I won’t go into right now. Instead, you might want to see what Jay Patterson has to say here. There are several types of laying tools and some are designed for specific uses. A tekobari is squared with little to no tapering, just perfect for Japanese Embroidery. A Mellore is used for doing metal work embroidery, it is short and squat and flat. Generally though, laying tools are tapered into sharp points. They come in metal, bone, wood or composites. They can be very utilitarian or rather decorative. They are not an awl. Your Laying tool must be very smooth so as not to snag your threads and should not have too much of a taper to the point or your threads will not lay even. Some folks prefer a shorter laying tool, like Rainbow Gallery’s Best Laying Tool or BLT, while others need some length. My favorite is the Rainbow Laying Tool from Rainbow Gallery, but I, also, enjoy my Zecca Stilleto.
When using a laying tool, you are going to be stitching two handed. It helps to have a frame stand either a floor stand or a lap/table stand. However, if you lean your work against a table or a stiff pillow that works too. Here is a quick tutorial that I made up for you:
Now, no picking on my film and script quality! There isn’t any, but I think you get my gist. I am going to try making up more demos for you in the future. So, keep on stitching.
This week’s stitch guide is:
Basketweave
Basketweave, or Tent stitch, is a basic in needlepoint. Working on the diagonal, you work up the warp/horizontal threads, or ladders, and down the weft/vertical threads, the pipes. This stitch more stable than Continental stitch and will require less blocking when you are finished.
