Let’s talk about Crocheted Laces and Edgings...

I am asked constantly how I came up with the idea of using decorative stitches to create machine sewn crocheted lace edges...I have to attribute the original concept to Sue Hausmann.  In one of her earlier books, she had done a little edge using Heat Away (a vanishing muslin) and 30 weight cotton thread.  I was fascinated by the technique but I hated the Heat Away...by the time you get it out of the delicate stitches, they are destroyed….and, it makes me sneeze.
Ah Choo!    So I did a few very basic edges and quit working with it because of the drawbacks.

Phase 2...Here is where things get interesting...in 1999, I was at work on a book about creating the antique look using modern day fabrics and machine stitches.  As providence would have it, two new products came onto the market place at about the same time.  One was Romeo...it was an extremely heavy wash away stabilizer that was dry to the touch and the other was a thread named Cotty...both were available at Pfaff dealerships only, and as providence would have it...I happened to work at a Pfaff dealership!    Cotty was a 12 weight cotton thread...much thicker weight than we had been used to using.  Put the two together and you have a combination that gave the look of hand crocheted lace edges.

Since then, I have been obsessed with the possibilities of recreating the beauty of the past with the technology of today.  About two years ago, Sulky of America began to market the Cotty under a different name...Sulky Cotton 12 weight.  They also marketed the same thread but in a 30 weight.  They revamped the color line and also brought out a new stabilzer called Ultra Solvy.  Very close to the original Romeo product.  Oh, I forgot to tell you...Romeo has been changed three times and the current product isn’t even close to the original.  The Ultra Solvy works more like the original Romeo, with the exception being, you need to use two layers and it’s more readily available.  See more information about stabilizers and threads on the upcoming pages.

When Crochet Crudites came out in 2002, many Pfaff owners emailed and called about being able to create the lace edges using their machines…I knew I should write a book specifically for them.  So the idea for Crocheted Laces and Edgings was born.  I have had so much fun creating using all those decorative stitches.  And...I have found out how truly wonderful the Pfaff really is.  I just know that you will love creating with the designs and methods in this book.

One other thing...be sure to look for my HOT TIPS call outs as you go through the book.  My friend Diana Cedolia suggested that I add this...since most of us don’t read the entire book before starting a project AND that tends to get the “cart before the horse”.  The pre-disposition to jump in with both feet gets us in trouble sometimes.    Hope you find the hot tips helpful.