Spinning for Embroidery

[alicia in hawaii]

As I read through the fiber infatuation post...it got me wondering:

Has anyone here done any spinning for embroidery?

I am so excited about embroidery because it can draw on all my venues to showcase it. One of those venues is spinning. I have gazing dreamily at my wool, mohair, cashmere, yak stash...going over it in my head about spin, twist, thread texture, plying....and wondering how a spun single or a thin single done up in 2 or 3 ply would hold up as an embroidery thread. (maybe the term could/should be 'crewel' yarn)
Wouldn't a custom thread/yarn be fabulous?

Has anyone tried it? Know anyone that has? Found what works? or what doesn't work?

I'm going to give it a go tomorrow. I'll try to spin from roving and from combed fibers. I don't know if I can actually get to experimenting with it as needle and thread through a fabric, but I will at least do up a little sample.

Meanwhile, I'd love to hear from anyone that has an information.
smiles, alicia in Hawaii

[Judith Cock]

Hi Alicia-I have done spinning for embroidery. I used silk roving that I dyed by hand first and then spun as thin as I could. It's just as easy as wool-if not easier. I will look out the links to my old blog.
Judith

[Judith Cock]

http://threadspider.blogspot.com/2007/05/spinning-yarn-three-ss.html

Hi again-this link will take you to a page I made about spinning silk for embroidery thread. There are other links on my old blog too about spinning and silk in the sidebar. Good luck and post what you manage.
Judith

[Jacqui]

I knew there was a good reason I got a spinning wheel for my 21st instead of a party! And that was more than 21 years ago! I must get it out and oil it up, put it in working order and then start using it. Thanks for the inspiration.

[Edie]

Hi again Alicia!
a friend of mine is spinning some silk hankies for me in a thread that I can use for embroidery. I have NO clue how to do this-I'm trading something (as yet undetermined) for the spinning. I'm not sure yet if I'll be able to pull the thread through the fabric, or if I'll only be able to couch with it.
anyway, Susan of A Weaver's Yarn, is the spinner. There's contact info on her website, and maybe she can give you some pointers.
good luck!
Edie

[MargB]

If you have access to old issues of Spinoff I am sure you would find information on spinning for embroidery. I did try some of my handspun silk on my first embroidery - it was not very successful (broke as I pulled it through) even on linen as it had been spun as a fancy yarn for weaving . Probably would have couched beautifully. Maybe I need to dust off my spinning wheel. I have some worsted wool that could be worth a try.

[Judith Cock]

Well it's great to have sparked some spinning talk! Paula-I don't YET raise my own silkworms (but one of these days I just might!). As a thread to work with, it would be good for couching but I have sewn with it. It tends to be a little "furrier" than commercial threads. I haven't tried wool embroidery-yet.

[Carol-Anne]

Michael on Wormspit is a weaver who also does some embroidery. He raises his own silk worms, dyes and spins his own silk threads for use in some of his work.

This peoney is embroidered entirely with his own silk.

CA

[alicia in hawaii]

Well...wow and whoo hoo to all the notes here! Silk...I can see why silk would be an answer for spinning embroidery thread. I suppose mohair would be a good staple too. It's rather 'fuzzy' when its done though. I have a flyer for fine thread on my wheel. I've used it to make thread for mini crochet bears. I haven't been able to try it yet for embroidery thread...Gathering the tools...
I see some spinners are here as well. Maybe this will get all our wheels out and give it a go! smiles, alicia in Hawaii

[Tricia]

Hi Alicia,
I spin my own yarns for embroidery. How ever I sew into felt which is much more forgiving of slubby yarn. What I can confirm is that silk is very strong and although people may feel it would be hard to do, it certainly isn't once you realise there is not really much difference between wool and silk, apart from the beautiful sheen. I also like to dye my hand spun silk because I love working with variegated yarns.
If I can help in anyway, let me know. Tricia

[alicia in hawaii]

Thanks Tricia,
I am still hunting for some of my tools. I have them packed away and as soon I find the combs, I'll be set to let the flyers whirl! I will look for you for guidance. Wish me luck!
alicia in Hawaii

[Mary Corbet]

If you're familiar with Michael Cook (from Wormspit.com), he raises his own silk worms, then processes the cocoons, and dyes and spins his own virtually flat silk to use for embroidery. Oh golly. The colors are stunning, and of course, nothing beats the shine.

I find it really incredible that the tiny fiber that comes off the cocoon can be made into something so substantial and beautiful...

[Romilly]

I've done a little embroidering with my drop spindle spinning. Usually of Merino wool. Not enough to have any ideas for you, though. I may have to try silk and dig out the wheel and get it going again now!