About Laying Tools for Hand Embroidery
Whenever you do hand embroidery you will need to use a laying tool. This will allow you to easily maneuver multiple pieces of thread whenever you are working on a large project. It will also make your project look cleaner (both on top and underneath) as it won’t have any bumps.
- Laying tools are used to help you manage your stitches. They help lay your threads flat and position them properly.
- Whenever you are using silk ribbon in your embroidery, this tool will help you stroke them so that they lay properly and curve nicely.
- This tool will help you control your tension, which is great if you tend to pull your stitches too tight.
- If you use a wooden laying tool, make sure that it does not have any spurs or splinters. The wood should be sanded smooth so that it works properly.
- Wooden laying tools are both lightweight and durable. They will not break easily but they can splinter and damage your fabric.
- Metal laying tools are the most durable. They will not break and they are also less likely to damage your fabric in the way that wooden ones do.
- A metal laying tool is the heaviest type of laying tool. Therefore, if your wrists are weak, it will not work as well for you.
- Glass and plastic laying tools are inexpensive. They work well as a temporary laying tool but they will break quickly. Glass laying tools break as soon as you drop them. Plastic ones don’t hold up well whenever you work with tough fabric (i.e. denim, canvas).