Points - Making a wHole

[hsifeng]

OK, I have a few techniques I am planning on testing out and I am going to document them here for others who might find them interesting. They have to do with the making, binding and filling (use) of point holes for the 16th century.

The scope of the project should be worked out before the first weekend in April (when I plan on my husband using his

Comments

[jillwheezul]

No on fingerloop braiding as an option? I like it better than lucet and it is a bit more fun IMHO...

I taught myself from this webpage:

http://fingerloop.org/

[hsifeng]

I have to be honest, unless Meg knows how to fingerloop braid I probably won't go with that technique on this go round. I am just not that great at following written instructions - I really need someone to 'show me'...*le sigh*

[hsifeng]

So I chatted up Meg on the way by her shop the other day: Apparently she has some recollection of how to do fingerloop braiding. Depending on our success at digging that information out of her memory banks next Tuesday I may add this to the research list for my point ties!

BTW - I am guessing you have done a fair share of handbound grommets in your day. I personally use a very small leather punch and drop a hole in the fabric which I then re-enforce using a modified buttonhole stitch (‘knots’ from the stitch end up on the inside/cut edge of the hole). I have yet to use a tailor’s awl since I can’t imagine that working the fibers apart would make a big enough hole to get a point through easily. What are your thoughts on this? Have you seen any documentation on ‘how point holes’ were made or are we dealing in suppositions about ‘not wanting to cut the fabric’?

[jillwheezul]

I don't punch the fabric, but stick the awl in and widen every couple of stitches which keeps the hole from filling in...

[hsifeng]

That jibes with the experience that I had with my 'test holes'. In addition, the use of the awl made it easy to position/hold the metal reinforcement ring at the back of the project while I was sewing it in place.

Thanks!

[jillwheezul]

Now that I read my comment I don't think it is as clear as what was in my mind. I take the awl out between the widening pokes, but don't poke every stitch.

[hsifeng]

No worries, I understood your comment. My reply just illustrated that my own experience of leaving the awl in place and working the thread with it there (holding the ring) worked out well. *grin*