[MR] ?OT: White floss or embroidery thread recommendation for use on linen

[Janie B.]

Dear Gentles of Atlantia,

I tried posting this question to SCAGarb three days ago, but apparently it's 
too far off topic for them.  Please forgive the intrusion if you think it 
too off topic for the Merry Rose.  Personally I don't think it far off 
topic.  I'm asking for a suggestion for embroidery thread or floss on a 
linen object.  We in the SCA use linen.  Some people embroider their linen. 
Somewhere in there, the linen object needs laundering.  To assist in 
recommendations, I include a description of what a Purificator is and how it 
is used.

So, would plain old DMC work or should I try something else?

Sincerely,
Lady Gwendolyn Fitch (Janie B)

Forwarded Original Message (minus a few line breaks)
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Janie B." <janielee at cox.net>
To: <SCA-Garb at yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Wednesday, January 07, 2009 1:36 PM
Subject: White floss or embroidery thread recommendation, please


> My Dear Lords and Ladies,
>
> With such an assemblege of talent, I just know one of you will have an 
> answer.  I need a recommendation for a type or brand of white floss or 
> embroidery thread that is stain resistant; or, failing that, a 
> floss/thread that won't permanently suck up wine stains.
>
> I've been inspired to try embroidery.  I'm planning to make a couple of 
> "purificators" for my church.  Purificators are used for wiping the 
> chalice during the communion service, therefore coming into contact with 
> red wine on a regular basis.  According to the catalog that our altar 
> guild orders from, purificators are a piece of linen 12 inches square with 
> an embroidered cross (for sale at more than $25 EACH, the Horror!).  It 
> appears that a variety of cross styles can be used.  All the crosses are 
> white on our current cloths, but I did see other colors for sale.  My 
> intention is to make these squares and try out a variety of white crosses. 
> I get to practice my hand-sewing and make a project that I don't have to 
> end up storing.  My church saves a little money.  If this all goes well, I 
> may attempt to include the teen group in the project.
>
> The 3.5 oz. white linen for sale at www.fabrics-store.com is acceptable, 
> according to our resident experts.  All I need is a suggestion for what 
> sort of floss or thread to use.  Although the LEMs are instructed to use 
> the linen on the purificator away from the embroidery, it would be nice to 
> have embroidery that doesn't latch onto a stain forever.  Shrinkage 
> shouldn't be a terrible problem as these altar linens are usually hand 
> washed, then ironed within an inch of their lives.
>
> Feel free to contact me off list (at janielee at cox dot com), unless you 
> have a favorite brand and/or vendor you'd like everyone to know about.
>
> Many, many thanks,> Lady Gwendolyn Fitch> (Janie B) > --Like T-shirts? 
> Check out www.cameesa.com !--