How to stretch a closely trimmed tapestry

The Christmas Stocking mentioned in my last blog arrived at the beginning of this month.

It had been badly made up with piping by someone who must have had little or no experience of the job.
The tapestry had obviously not been stretched before making up and although it wasn’t too badly out of shape, I felt it would look better if I could straighten it somehow.  I normally do this on a frame under tension, but whichever method is used – you need spare canvas at the top and bottom to pull on.  This stocking had been trimmed to less than a quarter of an inch and that was coming unravelled…

I wanted a straight edge with enough extra canvas to attach to my stretching frame that would not come unravelled under tension.  So I hand-stitched a piece of spare canvas to the back of the stocking round the bottom edge.

       

This gave me a top and bottom that could be made parallel with each other and square with the sides.  That was my theory, but I still didn’t know if it would work.

… Now on the frame.

Next I covered it with a piece of linen sheeting and gently held a steam iron to it to dampen it; turned it over to do the other side; turned it back again - more steam; checked that the top was still parallel to the bottom; and left it for about three days to become completely dry.

Then off it went to Vi, my Cushion (Christmas Stocking, Doorstop, Anything) Lady to be made up.
And here it is - none the worse for its adventures!

I am pleased to say, my customer was delighted – as was I.
And on top of that, I learnt a new technique which may or may not be the conventional way to do it, but the important thing is, it worked.

I find I rather enjoy rescuing. 
See my blog  'New from Old' 27 April 2010 about a puppy chewed tapestry cushion.

Latest news

2 June 2011  

We can work it out 

I was reminded this week, how much needlepoint can mean to stitchers.
For many, the pleasure is all in the stitching but for others it comes from spending hours and hours making something special for a relative or a dear friend. When a lady rang about our Making up Service, I had barely finished my phone answering greeting when she said the making up of one of my Christmas Stockings was so badly done she could cry.  She showed it to a neighbour who declared they could have done it better themselves.  I was speechless!  Had I posted off an item that badly done?  My sewing lady doesn’t do them badly – or even if she had, how had I let it go?  What staggeringly perfect standard was this lady expecting?  All this shot through my mind as I tried to think what to say!!  It wasn't until she mentioned the piping...  “It’s not piped, it’s binding”  I managed to get in edgeways.  Then she explained that she had sent it to a local shop to be made up.
By this time, I could hear the poor lady was very upset as she explained she had stitched it for a relative and it had a special lining - and she hadn’t sent it to me because she had added to the design - and she thought I would mind. (I wouldn’t)

I haven’t seen this disaster yet, but I was able to say that I was sure my lovely Vi would be able to fix it, probably complete with the special lining …all will be well.

Also last week, a man emailed to say that his wife had just finished stitching Red Patch; he would post it that day and it would be wonderful if it could be ready for his wife’s birthday.  He appreciated that giving me a week when I ask customers to allow 4-5 weeks was asking a lot!

It was - because Vi, my fastest and nearest cushion lady, is on holiday! (She has been known to call me to say “Cushion’s done” within an hour.)

The tapestry had been beautifully stitched on a frame so it was easy to stretch and the warm summer weather helped to speed the drying along.   Then it was off for a drive through the Sussex downs to my backup cushion lady…. and she did it!

A number of factors had to fall into place and fortunately, they did.  Red Patch was packed and posted off in good time for the birthday. 

8 May 2011  

A Special Occasion On special occasions (and the Royal Wedding was a very Special Occasion) I print my own designs onto needlepoint canvas.  This requires a spending time  in my rather spidery shed, usually on a Sunday morning while listening to The Archers omnibus -  which helps me to forget the spiders.

The Royal Wedding sampler is a cross-stitch design but it translates perfectly onto canvas so when requested, I print them to order for customers who prefer printed canvas needlepoint.

The technique requires heat under pressure and this slightly affects the colour of the canvas which takes on a rather pleasant ‘antique’ appearance. It will all be stitched over anyway - but an afternoon in the sunshine restored these canvases almost back to the original sparkling white.   Thanks to those gloriously sunny days we had in April! 

10 April 2011 

Squishy? I had a most interesting conversation with a customer who wondered if I could make my cushions more squishy!

We normally like to use feather cushion pads that are 2 inches wider than the tapestry cover in our Cushion Making Service, to provide a firm, practical cushion that will display the needlework at its very best while providing good support for the back when needed.  These do relax with use and become softer and more 'mouldable'.

So I had to ask my customer exactly what she meant by squishy! 
Was she asking for Floppy? (using a smaller feather pad) for a homely, lived in look - Or Soft and Bouncy? (using a manmade fibre filled pad)  She chose the latter.

The resulting cushion is much lighter than it would be if it had a feather pad but it will remain soft and bouncy.

If you are particular over your squishiness preferences, do let us know.  We aim to please!

24 March 2011 

Spring is here... 
The warm weather has arrived rather early, but then - so did the winter weather!  Easter is on the way and soon we will be stitching in the garden or on holiday - the perfect way to relax.

Here's a little number to remind you of long, sunny summer days.
  
However!  I have been busying myself with some new designs ready for next winter!  I am planning a new Christmas Stocking, a completely new idea for Minikits for children and more.   I may not have time to stitch in the garden...