100 Details in 100 Days: Day 23

The reason I did the little detail about pierced eyelets was that I used them on the handkerchief design I will be teaching in Natchez over Labor Day Weekend. The first day is a redwork class, and the second day, I plan to show how to make a hankie from a piece of handkerchief linen, plus embroider an art nouveau initial with floral ornamentation. The piece uses raised stem stitch, outline stitch, satin stitch, pierced eyelets and hemstitching.

Anyway, I finished two of the handkerchiefs and was pressing them, which brings me to another detail! I already mentioned that you should always iron linen while it is damp. Ironing spray and starch are both acceptable. If you are ironing a piece after it has been embroidered, then you need to press it face down on a very soft surface using a lot of steam. Susan O'Connor recommended making a special pressing cloth, using doctor's flannel and wool blanketing. I made one for myself using cotton flannel and polar fleece. It works like a charm, when I can find it.

Today was one of those days. So, I grabbed a cotton flannel towel, folded it in quarters, then used it as a pressing cloth. In a pinch, any piece of cotton flannel will do, as long it is several layers thick. When you steam iron your embroidered piece design side down on a plush pressing cloth, the design will sink into the soft cloth and leave a perfect impression of the design. It makes a world of difference!