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Love Lucello and love vintage…

2012-07-26T11:41:31.899Z

Love Lucello and love vintage! I was in Melbourne in May doing a workshop with Louise Macdonald - we all spent so much time in this shop and I spent so much money! all worth it though :)

Check out this blog site all…

2012-07-26T10:13:21.899Z

Check out this blog site all about Vintage Haberdashery based in Melbourne Australia http://luccello.blogspot.com.au/

Thanks for putting up the pic…

2012-07-24T23:50:29.925Z

Thanks for putting up the pic. ahhhh, makes sense now, logic even. I've got memories of a tin box full of various tangled threads of my Mum's, that had many wooden reels from Linen thread, upholstery thread, catgut, and a metallic thread in black with gold on a beautiful wooden reel...hmm... wonder where that is.....

Hi Roz, It's about the same g…

2012-07-24T15:57:01.971Z

Hi Roz,

It's about the same guage as topstitch thread but much stronger. Here's a pic. Guttermann topstitch on left, vintage button thread on right.

Hi Aoife Button thread, I hav…

2012-07-24T04:01:50.685Z

Hi Aoife

Button thread, I have not heard of this before. What sort of weight is it? if general sewing thread is a 120, and a jeans stitching thread is around a 30, where does button thread come in?

One of the first things I learnt in the rag trade, was 'never use cheap thread' - So true!

it doesn't actually stick to…

2012-07-23T04:13:43.214Z

it doesn't actually stick to the block, rather when the heat comes through the sinamay or fabric, binds together creating a snug fit around the block. and when it gets a bit tatty after using the block a few times, it comes straight off.

Have never done that but need…

2012-07-21T12:02:08.310Z

Have never done that but need to use fabric that has natural elasticity= silk.Some milliners block a shape in sinamay to line but not at same time. Will post some pics of how I line hats Wanting to do an open to all video clip on this. Cocktails & headpieces have a lining challenge also.

Whether you use cling wrap or…

2012-07-21T11:30:43.963Z

Whether you use cling wrap or alfoil is up to you as long as you get a good end result is all that matters. Always use cling wrap for buckram as it peels off completely whereas with alfoil it adheres to buckram in bits!!

If using heat from an iron to press out felt on block or pari or sinamay cling wrap can melt and permasnently attach to the surface.

I find folds in alfoil easier to flatten onto block as it does not have spring of plastic.

Yesteryear they used a cheesecloth to cover the blocks

Obviously it depends on how i…

2012-07-20T22:47:03.846Z

Obviously it depends on how it was stored, but they don't make thread to last like they used to so if you can find some in good condition it is much better than the thread being produced now. Again it depens on the type of thread but vintage button thread is hard to beat.

A recent tutor suggested that…

2012-07-20T22:25:17.366Z

A recent tutor suggested that plastic bags - the fine, thin type you get vegetables in - works better than plastic wrap as it 'gives' more when releasing the blocked fabric.

Oh, and I use guterman thread. I find that the better quality really does make a difference. Even if you just get the basic colours to start with to keep costs down.