I received an interesting question from a stitcher this morning. She told me she’d recently finished stitching the runner from my book Frisian Whitework, and she’s moving on to a new project from the book.
I am going to start working on the Whitework sampler. This will be my first sampler. The question I have is, why do you use the Londonderry thread instead of DMC? I am just curious.
This is a great question!
I use linen thread for the white stitching when working Frisian whitework because that is what they traditionally used. I use Londonderry linen thread because that is one that I have access to, and it is less wiry and much more pleasant to use than other linen threads I have tried.
The coloured parts of the sampler are worked in DMC because that was something that would be readily available to many stitchers around the world. Traditionally, the coloured stitching would have been done more often than not in silk, and occasionally in wool.
So why did I not use DMC for the white parts? Whenever I am presenting an embroidery to the world in my books, for the most part, my aim is to present it as authentically as possible. If I tell you to stitch in linen thread when they stitched in linen thread, you’re going to get a much more authentic look and feel to the embroidery. Different threads behave differently. Different threads look different. Different threads have different properties that may make them less suited to the embroidery, or there may be no appreciable difference.
If I had suggested to stitch the whole thing in DMC perle or DMC stranded, you’re going to be getting a very different look and a very different experience. You could do this, but it will be less like traditional Frisian whitework.
So why didn’t I specify that you use silk for the coloured parts, seeing that was what was used traditionally? I could have. But DMC stranded is more readily available, and the experience and look of changing from silk to stranded floss isn’t that much of a difference.
(If this trying to be authentic with one thread, and then not being so authentic with the other seems a little inconsistent to you, maybe it is? I was happy with my decision, though!)
Following my explanation of the use of linen thread, my correspondent indicated she plans to use silk thread for the entire sampler. This is a departure from the traditional, but despite that, I’m sure it will look spectacular!
You can do what you want when you’re stitching my designs: change colours, change threads, change scale etc. Your result may not be so in line with the traditional look, but your aim doesn’t have to be the same as my aim!
If you do want to do the sampler in the same materials I have used, there is a supplies pack available on my website.
I wonder if Londonderry linen thread is as accessible as DMC stranded floss? If silk is not as accessible, is Londonderry linen thread more accessible than silk?