Linen Fabric

All of my stitching has been done on linen. I am not anti-Aida. The truth is that when I look at things other people have stitched, unless I get way closer than I need to be looking, I can’t even tell if it’s Aida or linen.

I still get confused with linens and if anyone has any info to share, I’d appreciate it. I guess my biggest confusing area is that I order one brand and like it, the next time I order the same brand, I don’t like it so much.

Wichelt:

The very first piece I stitched was A Good Marriage. It was stitched on 32 count Lambs Wool (that’s the color) by Wichelt. It seemed flimsy and the wholes seemed big for 32 count. I assumed I didn’t like Wichelt and hardly ever ordered more but the piece I used for Veteran’s Day is 32 count Antique White by Wichelt and I liked it a lot.

So . . do I like Wichelt linen or not? I have no idea and since I have to order the linens I order, I guess I’ll just order a piece or two and see what I think.

Zwiegart:

I’ve heard a lot about the “old” Zwiegart and the “new” Zwiegart. I don’t know what’s the difference and when I use Zwiegart, I don’t know if I’m using “old” or “new”. I heard a very knowedgeable flosstuber the other day (who doesn’t like the old Zwiegart) say “I’ll be happy when they run out of the old base” so I guess they’re still dying old and new bases.

The linen I’m using for my August Cross Stitch Camp project is Zwiegart but it’s one of the very first linens I bought and I got it from Luminous Fiber Arts

Indie Dyers:

Most of the individual dyers from whom I’ve purchased fabric all seem to use Zwiegart linens but I have no idea whether they’re using old or new.

X-Ju Designs:

I’m not sure what she does to her fabrics but I love them. Her linens are crisp and the holes seem uniform, though I have to admit . . I’ve never actually used her linens. It’s one of those things – if I use them, I won’t have them anymore. OK . . I’ll get over that and use them sometime soon. So much of the linen I have from her is the monthly club linen and it can’t be purchased so really . . if I use it, I won’t have it anymore. Don’t try to reason with me . . I know that’s crazy thinking.

I think maybe because I love all her colors, I love how her linen smells . . I’m almost afraid if I use it and don’t like it, I’ll be crushed. But, I am going to use it.

Most every flosstuber I listen to raves about X-Ju’s Designs’ linens. I will use X-Ju Designs linen sometime between now and the end of the year . . on at least one project.

Fox & Rabbit:

Oh, my . . I just typed “I love their rabbit!” Let’s try that again. I love their linen. I love the colors. I started a project using it a while back but my floss wasn’t working so I changed to something else. I’m using it for A Changed World and I think their linen will stay near the top of my favorites list.

I found this article at Needle in a Haystack. It’s older but it talks about the steps/techniques done by dyers that affect the linen.

I guess I’m mainly confused about (1) Why I didn’t like 32 count Wichelt linen the first time I used it and why it was different the second time I used it and (2) What’s the difference in old and new Zwiegart and how do I know if what I have is old or new? I suppose if I never get answers to either of those question, life will still be great but if anyone can shed any light on this, I’d be happy to learn more.