No, no. I’m not embroidering with chopsticks. But I am embroidering in the company of chopsticks. And I don’t mean that annoying piano piece we all learned as kids – you know, the one that can effectively drive even the most resilient person nuts in a matter of seconds?
I really do mean chopsticks, as in Asian eating instruments.
You may remember that a couple weeks ago, I showed you my slate frame set-up for the commissioned embroidery piece I’m presently working on. And you might remember I was worried about the close quarters of the piece within the slate frame, because it didn’t leave me any room for tensioning the piece further if I needed to.
Enter: the best part of Needle ‘n Thread. You.
A reader (thanks, Cecelia!) suggested a solution that’s often used in Japanese embroidery – inserting a stick or a chopstick where needed, to add extra tension.
And it just so happens that I have a glorious set of matching chopsticks that I appropriated from my mother, who picked them up in Hong Kong some 50 years ago. Thanks, Mom! I bet you never noticed.
By inserting the chopsticks between the lacing and the side slats on the slate frame, I was able to get just that tiny bit of tension that I needed, and that I couldn’t get from adjusting the lacing because there was no room to pull the fabric closer to the slats. It worked really well!
And I discovered something else. When you just need a touch more tension, it’s much easier to insert a chopstick than it is to untie and tighten up the laces on the frame. It almost feels like cheating.
And I bet if I had to, I could insert two chopsticks. Or three! Or the whole set! And Mom will probably still never notice. Thanks, Mom!
Now you know: I’m a cheatin’ thief!
Next time you need a tad of tension on your slate frame – try a chopstick!
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Hi Mary,
Thanks for reminding me of this little gem. You can use the same trick for stretcher bars (regular ons and not Evertights) with fabric (linen, silk, etc.). We used unsharpened pencils for an EGA General Correspondence Course in Goldwork. They worked like a charm – similar to your chopstick method.
Thank you for the advice. It could be very useful.
Ooh Mary, that’s brilliant … although I’m guessing your Mum may not agree if she reads it. 🙂
Oh but this is the best form of thievery and I’m sure your Mother will forgive you in the light of the number of needleworkers you have helped today!
Hi Mary,
Now we can be really creative with little things to tighten up the frame. If the chopsticks are too big, you know those little bamboo kabob skewers? Those might be another option. There’s always the back side that can be tightened too!
Can’t wait to see more progress on the stitching!
You said it almost felt like cheating. Well, years ago my Jap. emb. teacher told me about a saying her Jap. emb. teacher (who actually was Japanese and the son-in-law of Master Saito) told her when she took a short-cut. He said, “Sneaky tech-a-nique. Master not see.” I’ve always loved it.
Mary
I am always happy to read your informative messages with your great humor.