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| KNOW-HOW |
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Creating an heirloom is a chance for all of us to leave our mark on the world and create something wonderful to hand down to future generations.
Choose the right fabric ... most old samplers were stitched on linen. This is an ideal fabric for an heirloom because it ages really well. Samplers generally look better when stitched on linen or another evenweave fabric such as 28-count jobelan (Fabric Flair) or linda (Zweigart). Work each cross stitch over two threads on these fabrics and the design will be the same size as on 14-count aida. I prefer to use antique white for a special heirloom piece because it has a softer effect than pure white linen and the colour won't fade.
Stitch with care ... take extra care when stitching an heirloom piece to ensure that it will last. Avoid dirt, oil and acid when you are stitching. The dirt and oil come from handling the fabric (wash your hands before you start stitching) and the acid from detergents and materials used to mount the design for framing.
Sign and date your stitching ... signing and dating your work adds a personal touch and keeps future generations informed about when it was stitched and by whom (it can even make the embroidery more valuable). Sampler-style designs usually have the name and date included as part of the design, but other designs require a little more ingenuity.
5 ways to sign your heirloom
1. Choose a small motif to represent your name or simply one you like. Hide this within the pattern of your design instead of adding your signature.
2. Stitch the details in cross stitch working them into the shading of a motif using the darker, shading colour.
3. Stitch your name and date below or down the side of a motif, using a single strand of the same colour.
4. Sign and date your design using tiny cross stitches in one corner, in the same way as a painter signs their work.
5. For clarity add the name of the century (2000, 2003 etc) in full.
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Framing advice
1. Choose acid-free mount board to stretch your fabric over ready for framing.
2. Avoid using glue, double-sided tape or masking tape - they can stain the fabric over time. Instead lace the stitching to the mount board with crochet cotton.
3. If you are having the work professionally framed, ask for conservation-quality mount board and acid-free tape.
4. Choose a moulding that highlights one of the colours in your design.
5. If you have used beads or charms in your design, put spacer bars or a mount inside the frame between the glass and the fabric to ensure they don't touch. This could result in mould forming.
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