To try to make it more clear about the difference in hand dyed vs. Zwiegart dyed linen, I've tried to take some pictures but this is in the basement with not so great basement lighting.
First, I'm going to insert part of a blurb that comes up when I Google "Why does hand dyed linen seem thicker than Zwiegart linen?"
I want to reiterate that there is nothing wrong with Zwiegart linen. Most hand dyers start with a Zwiegart base and, that is my favorite. I will rarely buy linen that isn't Zwiegart base.
The linen on the left is Zwiegart Cafe au Lait and the one on the right is Fox & Rabbit White Clay. Both are 40 count. There's a green post it note type paper slipped underneath the first layer of both linens. Do you see how much more the one on the left shows through?
Below is the same photo with a bit of lighting manipulation.
I'm not even sure if you can see it but in the photo below, the linen on the left is the same Zwiegart Cafe au Lait 40 count and the one on the right is a Picture This Plus 40 count. The holes in the PTP linen are MUCH smaller. To me, the PTP 40 count all feels more like 46 count because either the threads absorbed something and puffed up or the whole piece shrank in the dying process. If it mattered to me (so far it has not), I could count the threads, measure and find out. I just know that I much prefer stitching and the look on 36 count PTP where other linens, it's 40 count for me.
Again, I love them all. The Zwiegart Cafe au Lait and Vintage Country Mocha are two of my favorite linens but I have LOTS of favorite.
I love the mottling on Picture This Plus linens. One of my most favorite pieces is the one I stitched as a memorial to my dad and his family. It's one thing to stitch on linens I love but when I'm stitching something I hope becomes a family heirloom, I use my real favorites!
There are so, so many great linens. I can't think of anything right now that I've not liked at all. There may have been some and I choose not to remember (that statement is for those of you who are laughing, thinking "I remember when you complained forever about THAT ONE piece of linen!". I truly don't remember.)
My advice, for what it's worth - not much I know - is to order a 9" x 36" piece of 40 count Zwiegart linen ($5.36 at 123 Stitch) and a piece of 40 count something else - Seraphim, Picture This Plus, Fiber on a Whim, Fox & Rabbit (one, not all). Try them and see what you like best. Further advice - don't order a lot of anything until you know what you like.
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Judy your cross stitch projects are beautiful. Wondering what you do with all of them…
ReplyDeleteWell . . there are a lot of them pinned on the old quilt design wall waiting to be framed or made into pillows. There are about 25 that are on walls in our home. Some things have been given to Chad and Nicole. Some things have been given to Addie to decorate her room. There are a few things that are seasonal that hang on a wall inside a long closet when it isn't their season. There are more things I could hang on the walls but we still talk about moving and I hate to put more nail holes in the walls til we decide what we're going to do.
DeleteYou are such an angel for going to this trouble, but I confess I am confused again. Picture this Plus IS Zweigart linen right? Just that it's been dyed? NO worries. I'll be visiting our cross stitch shop next town over soon, and I will get a linen lesson while I'm there. It's a planned activity for sometime next week :) Thank you old friend!
ReplyDeleteOh, my goodness. I have totally confused you. I am so sorry. Yes, you are correct. There is Zwiegart linen that you can buy from quilt shops. It will usually say "Cream by Zwiegart". Apparently (and I didn't know this until I started researching after your first question), for Zwiegart linen, they dye their fibers first, then weave the linen. Then there's linen that has been dyed by Seraphim, Fox & Rabbit, Fiber on a Whim - there are NUMEROUS dyers and they all use "Zwiegart base". They buy huge rolls or bolts of Zwiegart linen that has not been dyed. They dye it. Then there are a couple of other brands that some people will dye. I stick with Zwiegart. Mostly, I buy hand dyed linens where individual dyers have dyed the Zwiegart linen. When I say Zwiegart linen seems thinner - I'm talking about Zwiegart linen that was dyed by Zwiegart.
DeleteYes, Picture this Plus is dyed on a Zwiegart base but it's just called Picture This Plus. All Zwiegart linen will have an orange thread running through the selvage BUT, sometimes, you may be getting a quarter or eighth and it doesn't have a selvage so don't panic if you think you're getting Zwiegart and don't see an orange thread.
Yes, your local shop will be able to give you MUCH better info than I have given you. So sorry for my confusing explanation.
Actually, your reply has completely cleared up my confusion. THANK YOU for hanging in there! I quite like the two pieces of linen hand dyes I've purchase, both with a Zweigart base. One is Picture this Plus and the other Fiber on a Whim. I will probably stick with those for now as they're readily available, until I have some more practice under my belt.
DeleteGlad I was finally clear. I see exactly where I confused you. Sorry. I do try to stick with only linens that have been dyed on a Zwiegart base. I think if you like PTP and Fiber on a Whim, you would like Seraphim too. I like Needle & Flax and Cedar River linens but they can both be a bit difficult to get. XJu Linens is one of my very favorites but she uses a rinse that has a scent. I love it but I think I remember that you don't like scents. Not sure how much linens your local shop will have but I have had great luck ordering from Colorado Cross Stitcher, Hobby House, Kitten Stitcher and, of course, 123 Stitch. Sometimes there's a particular color I want and have to shop around to find it. Buy linen like we bought fabric and you'll be happy! :)
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