Updated January 17, 2023.
“No visible means of support” If you are as old as I am, you will remember that advertising slogan. It was for bras, but over the years, I have found it to be a useful watchword for many things where it isn’t apparent how they get to be what they are.
Back in the mid-80’s I used to get my nails done, as did several of my colleagues. We raced up at lunchtime, had our tips done short, and marveled at the “no visible means of support” ladies who had nails so long we couldn’t figure out how they got dressed and had three hours in the middle of the day to spend at the nail salon.
But the term can also apply to one of my favorite needlepoint tricks. If you will have an open background and don’t want to have traveling threads show, baste chiffon on the back. It’s thin enough that you don’t have to change to a sharp needle but thick enough that the threads won’t show.
I didn’t do it on the shaded kimono pictured here, and my life would have been easier if I had.
I learned this tip from a former needlepoint judge who told me you couldn’t tell it was there after the piece was finished. It really works!
About Janet M Perry
Janet Perry is the Internet's leading authority on needlepoint. She designs, teaches and writes, getting raves from her fans for her innovative techniques, extensive knowledge and generous teaching style. A leading writer of stitch guides, she blogs here and lives on an island in the northeast corner of the SF Bay with her family
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