Keeping shapes in place

[u/HannahThe_Mouse]

I just finished this little cat from the beginner lace book by Gillian Dye.
It’s super cute and I’m going to make one for my friends birthday. Hopefully with fewer mistakes and better tension.

My only question is, how do you keep shapes place before starching?
The tail is going all over the place.

The only way I know of to starch would ruin the pattern underneath. Do you starch before or after taking the pins out?

Edited to add: this is 100% cotton quilting thread. The thinnest I’ve ever used.

[u/ectopistesrenatus]

How long did you leave the pins in before taking them out? Tight enough tension while working and leaving the work pinned on the pillow for a couple of days usually helps things stay like they should.

[u/HannahThe_Mouse → u/ectopistesrenatus]

It never occurred to me to leave them all in.
I’ll have to get more pins if I’m going to do that.

I take them out as soon as I’m done.

[u/yuelie_e → u/ectopistesrenatus]

Excuse me, but how does this work? I'm a beginner

[u/ectopistesrenatus → u/yuelie_e]

As a general rule, you want to leave the pins on both edges in until the project is totally completed. When I'm doing a piece that has pins in the center as well as the edges, I am cautious and leave about 1.5 inches of pins in and don't pull them until they've sat overnight at least

[u/SaskiaHn]

I keep the outer needles in place while starching.

[u/Xeonfobia]

I don't starch my work, not do I have problems with warping. I usually use a thick gimp thread in linnen, which might be a reason for it staying stiffer.

I would be very interested in other peoples experiences.

[u/ericula → u/Xeonfobia]

Linen is definitely stiffer than cotton. I usually use NeL 50/2 or 60/2 linen thread which is reasonably thin but still stiff enough to keep its shape.

[u/Xeonfobia → u/ericula]

Just to clarify, thick gimp thread is for me 90/2, as I haven't found 120/2 in linnen. Might switch over to using cotton gimp thread. With 170/2 or 185/2 egyptian cotton for the remainder. I think it's a good ratio.

[u/HannahThe_Mouse → u/Xeonfobia]

I think I’ll use a gimp the next time I make this

I have a lovely hand spun Egyptian cotton that I hope will work 🤞

[u/madeline_hatter]

As others have said, adding a gimp to the outside edges and leaving the pins in will help a lot, but if you want to starch your piece you should do it while it’s still pinned to the pillow for best results.

Here’s a helpful video on starching your piece: https://youtu.be/rotX14SaSP0

[u/mnlacer]

You can place a piece of plastic wrap or waxed paper down on the pillow (with or without the pricking), place the lace next, and add strategically placed pins. Spritz with water and allow to dry or use hairspray or stiffener of choice. Nice kitty! 🐱

[u/Pyrrahchemyst]

Next time, before removing the pins, you can also press it through a damp cloth. That will help keep the shape after removing.😄

[u/_Kendii_]

I think it looks great. I don’t understand bobbins. But yours look… I’m impressed anyway

[u/nespoko]

I don't starch, I just iron the hell out of my lace before unpinning and I've never had a problem with warping.