Comments on: Spin, Span, Spun http://www.plimoth.org/embroidery-blog/2008/05/29/spin-span-spun/ The blog for Plimoth Plantation's 17 Century embroidered jacket project. Tue, 15 Dec 2009 02:44:23 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9 hourly 1 By: Marjorie http://www.plimoth.org/embroidery-blog/2008/05/29/spin-span-spun/comment-page-1/#comment-1704 Marjorie Fri, 30 May 2008 17:53:32 +0000 http://www.plimoth.org/embroidery-blog/2008/05/29/spin-span-spun/#comment-1704 The twist of embroidery threads definitely affects stitching, too. Most commonly available cotton, rayon and silk embroidery threads are, I believe, S twist. However, Rayon threads for Brazilian embroidery are traditionally the opposite, or Z twist and they do handle differently. The first time I made my own threads in a Japenese embroidery class it was a revelation--this lightbulb went on and the whole twists things made so much more sense. I've used this also when making twisted cords, mostly used as edgings when finishing needlework or as drawstrings. Marjorie The twist of embroidery threads definitely affects stitching, too. Most commonly available cotton, rayon and silk embroidery threads are, I believe, S twist. However, Rayon threads for Brazilian embroidery are traditionally the opposite, or Z twist and they do handle differently. The first time I made my own threads in a Japenese embroidery class it was a revelation–this lightbulb went on and the whole twists things made so much more sense. I’ve used this also when making twisted cords, mostly used as edgings when finishing needlework or as drawstrings. Marjorie

]]> By: coral-seas http://www.plimoth.org/embroidery-blog/2008/05/29/spin-span-spun/comment-page-1/#comment-1703 coral-seas Fri, 30 May 2008 10:48:45 +0000 http://www.plimoth.org/embroidery-blog/2008/05/29/spin-span-spun/#comment-1703 Thanks for all the additional information, everyone. In Japanese embroidery we start with flat silk and make our own twisted threads by hand. We 'spin' the silk by rolling it up the palm of one hand with the fingers of the other hand then 'ply' the spun threads by rolling them together up the palm of the opposite hand. Most of the time the undertwist in made on the right palm and the overtwist on the left palm. To make a twisted thread that will be used to stitch knots the thread the undertwist is done on the left plam and the overtwist on the right. As with the crochet thread this is so the thread will maintain it's twist while forming the knot. CA Thanks for all the additional information, everyone.

In Japanese embroidery we start with flat silk and make our own twisted threads by hand. We ’spin’ the silk by rolling it up the palm of one hand with the fingers of the other hand then ‘ply’ the spun threads by rolling them together up the palm of the opposite hand. Most of the time the undertwist in made on the right palm and the overtwist on the left palm.

To make a twisted thread that will be used to stitch knots the thread the undertwist is done on the left plam and the overtwist on the right. As with the crochet thread this is so the thread will maintain it’s twist while forming the knot.

CA

]]> By: Kat http://www.plimoth.org/embroidery-blog/2008/05/29/spin-span-spun/comment-page-1/#comment-1702 Kat Fri, 30 May 2008 00:55:11 +0000 http://www.plimoth.org/embroidery-blog/2008/05/29/spin-span-spun/#comment-1702 Jill, I am hunting up the article, which is here somewhere. I also sent a note to the archaeologist, since he is trained to dig things up! He may well find his copy, or the citation, before I unearth mine. (Knitting patterns ... yarn skeins ... looms ... fleeces ... it's here someplace!) Carolyn, "plying" is when you take two or more yarn strands and spin them together to make a thicker strand. "Double-plied" is two separate strands together. So, you would have two individual strands (or singles) that are spun in the clockwise direction for the S-spin. Take the two and spin them together counterclockwise, and you have a yarn that is spun S, double-plied Z. Believe me, it took a long time to figure all this out! Somewhere I had a listing that showed all the variations on spin -- things like, if you have carded wool and spin it in a Z-spin, that is semi-worsted. I'll see if I can find this while I'm hunting up the article for Jill. Jill, I am hunting up the article, which is here somewhere. I also sent a note to the archaeologist, since he is trained to dig things up! He may well find his copy, or the citation, before I unearth mine. (Knitting patterns … yarn skeins … looms … fleeces … it’s here someplace!)

Carolyn, “plying” is when you take two or more yarn strands and spin them together to make a thicker strand. “Double-plied” is two separate strands together. So, you would have two individual strands (or singles) that are spun in the clockwise direction for the S-spin. Take the two and spin them together counterclockwise, and you have a yarn that is spun S, double-plied Z.

Believe me, it took a long time to figure all this out! Somewhere I had a listing that showed all the variations on spin — things like, if you have carded wool and spin it in a Z-spin, that is semi-worsted. I’ll see if I can find this while I’m hunting up the article for Jill.

]]> By: Carolyn H. http://www.plimoth.org/embroidery-blog/2008/05/29/spin-span-spun/comment-page-1/#comment-1701 Carolyn H. Fri, 30 May 2008 00:03:38 +0000 http://www.plimoth.org/embroidery-blog/2008/05/29/spin-span-spun/#comment-1701 This is all terrific information, but for the spinners who want to know about every little thing, -- what is "double plied Z"? I understand the z, but what is double plied?? Carolyn This is all terrific information, but for the spinners who want to know about every little thing, — what is “double plied Z”? I understand the z, but what is double plied??

Carolyn

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