Hints for needlepoint on silk gauze
Bobbie Schoonmaker provides a wealth of hints on the tips page of her online store. Do visit that page - I've been stitching on 48 count gauze for a number of years, but when I found her tips page I learned a lot of useful things.
Everyone seems to have a different opinion on what needle and thread to use on a certain count. In the table below are my own suggestions.
You may want to consider different aspects of which count to choose - what will the finished item look like, and are you comfortable stitching on a certain count? I prefer stitiching with DMC floss, on 48 count silk, as I think 48 count looks much neater and more in scale in a 1:48 setting than 40 count does. 54 count does allow for even more detail, but it you need to have access to suitable thread, and good eyesight (I'm uncomfortable working on 54 gauze without magnifier).
|
Silk gauze count, or holes per inch |
Needle size | Thread |
|---|---|---|
| 40 HPI | Size 26 Tapestry needle | Single strand of DMC floss |
| 48 HPI |
Size 10 needle (crewel or Quilting/Between) |
Single strand of DMC floss, or Gütermann silk sewing thread |
| 54 HPI |
Size 10 or 12 needle (crewel, sharp, or Quilting/Between) |
Gütermann silk sewing thread (a single strand of DMC floss will work in a pinch, but it's a little too thick to work really well) |
| 60 or 64 HPI | Size 12 needle (crewel, sharp, or Quilting/Between) | Gütermann silk sewing thread with one of the three plies removed |
| 72 HPI | Size 12 needle, as above | Gütermann silk sewing thread with one of the three plies removed |
| 90 HPI | Size 12 needle, as above | A double thickness of the 2/20 very fine twisted silk sold by Pipers Silks |