What is silk gauze
 Silk gauze is a 100% pure filament silk canvas. The silk threads are fine but very strong. Silk gauze is woven in a leno structure, which increases the stability of the canvas. Leno weave actually interlocks the weft threads making it almost impossible for them to shift.
Stitching with silk gauze can be very rewarding. The detailed needlework you complete will be admired by many. Ask your needlework store for silk gauze, or visit www.kreinik.com for more information.
When to stitch on silk gauze?
Stitch on fine counts of silk gauze anytime you want a small, delicate piece of needlework. Miniaturists and doll house enthusiasts enjoy silk gauze needlepoint pieces because you can achieve realistic looking items. For example, doll house rugs, pillows, pictures, and bell pulls can be stitched to scale: 40-count silk gauze is perfect for 1-inch to 1-foot scale.
Silk gauze work is also now popular among needlepointers looking for something different to stitch on or for making detailed embroidery like jewelry.
How do you stitch on silk gauze?
The first step in stitching on silk gauze is choosing a project. Almost any charted cross stitch design can be used for silk gauze needlepoint. Designs without quarter stitches, blended colors, backstitches, or elaborate color changes make the most successful silk gauze needlepoint projects. You stitch over one thread on silk gauze.
 Continental (or tent) stitch is the appropriate stitch for silk gauze because it makes for a smooth, even silk gauze needlework. Also, it is easier to stitch tent through such petite holes. The use of tent stitch, for example, will have a maximum of two threads in a hole whereas cross stitch could have as many as four stitches per hole. Generally, you stitch with silk threads on silk gauze.
Needle sizes for silk gauze
gauze count — needle size — Kreinik thread to use
18 20 tapestry 6 strands of Silk Mori; 1 strand of Canvas #24 Braid
20 22 Tapestry 5 strands of Silk Mori; 1 strand of Medium #16 Braid
32 26 Tapestry 2 strands of Silk Mori; 2 strands of Silk Bella; 1 strand of Fine #8 Braid; 1/16" Ribbon
40 28 tapestry 1 strand of Silk Mori, 1 strand of Silk Bella; 1 strand of Blending Filament
How do you know just how big the finished design will be?
Take the stitch count of your design and divide it by the count of the silk gauze. For instance, if your design is 80 stitches wide by 80 stitches high and you want to stitch it on 40-count silk gauze, divide 80 by 40. You get two - your design will be 2 inches by 2 inches.
Availability of silk gauze
Silk gauze can be purchased in several ways:
- Kreinik mounts silk gauze on mat board, which acts as a frame while stitching or as a mat for the finished piece. This is an economical way to purchase gauze, and various sizes are available. The framed silk gauze from Kreinik comes with a needle, so you are immediately ready to start stitching.
- Purchasing silk gauze by the yard will enable you to stitch pieces larger than that allowed with pre-mounted pieces. The silk gauze should then be mounted on a frame or stretcher bars for stitching.
- Kreinik offers silk gauze in several different counts such as 20-count, 30-count, 32-count, 40-count, 46-count, 47-count and 60-count. The higher the number, the smaller the canvas “holes”.
- Kreinik also offers silk gauze kits featuring beautiful designs from dogs and cats to garden themes and Christmas designs. Kreinik silk gauze kits come with gauze, chart, thread and needle.
How do you finish silk gauze?
When you are out antiquing or visiting thrift stores, look for items that can be miniature frames for your silk gauze embroidery. Items like pendants, small ornaments, brooches, pill boxes, bookmark with a frame opening, etc. Most needlework stores also carry fine miniature boxes, frames and jewelry for finishing silk gauze embroidery. If you are creating a sampler for a dollhouse, you can make a custom frame out of toothpicks.
When stitching is complete, cut out your needlework in the desired size. If you stitched on a framed piece of gauze, you can also remove the needlework by carefully removing the archival tape holding the gauze to the frame. Mount the gauze onto your desired finishing item by using Treasure Tape (an archive-quality double-sided tape from Kreinik) or other safe adhesive, or simply press your stitchery into the frame/brooch/pendant. A clear piece of plastic may also be used to protect the top of your stitchery when placed in the finishing item.
Want more ideas? Visit the NEEDLEPOINT archives in the Freebies section on www.kreinik.com.
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