Thursday, October 29, 2015

Thursday once again

There was some stitching at A&S last night and I spent some significant time today planning my "timeline" for the next 7 months or so...

So, here's this week's status of projects in progress and "on deck":

Current project list/status (SCA/Historic):
  • Motifs for coronation cloaks (different coronation) -- The two that are done were blogged about here.  I've started the outlining for the next one.  There was some more stitching on this, but I really need to knuckle under and get these onto the DONE page.
  • Marshall Hanging -- the very large Bayeux inspired piece that I've been working on (on and  off) for just about forever.  Deadline, June some time summer 2016. Nothing since the beach weekend, but I'm expecting it to see some needle time in the next week or so. 
  • Hem stitched square -- Now 3 sides are done and the fourth one started.  Currently my travel piece.  With no deadline, and just for me just for fun, I'm ok with slow progress on this one.
  • Additional couching & laid work pieces. The June 2016 deadline is for a very special presentation to the East Kingdom embroidery guild, Keepers of Athena's Thimble.  In addition to the master work of the Marshall Hanging, I need supporting pieces in other forms of laid and couched work.  This is what the timeline work has been about.  More later. 
  • Garb.  I have this lovely black silk for a tunic for my husband -- one which will have plenty of stitching on it.  Also in planning are a couple more coifs -- and shifts and shirts. Hope to have something ready for us both for an event in December. 

Current project list/status (Modern):
  • Knitted vest for Joe.  This is done and was worn at Rhinebeck and was blogged on Tuesday. Moved to the DONE (Modern) page.
  • Skirts for work.  One skirt that had been languishing in my studio has had some work done, and now just needs a hem.  I also have some lovely blue and white fabric waiting to be the next skirt. Yes, you're right, no change here. 
  • Bay of Fundy Scarf.  Proceeding well.  This is excellent travel work -- it fits nicely in a project bag and is easy to pull out during lunch. 
  • Gift knitting.  I don't take on a lot of knitting for gifts, especially with my usual policy of only having one knitting project in progress at a time, but I found some lovely yarn at Rhinebeck for a scarf for a friend for an EOYHOYC* gift so that will enter rotation.  I've spent some time on Ravelry and I think I know which pattern I'm going to use -- so this weekend I'll wind the hank and do some swatching. 
  • Knitted Salto fingerless gloves from Craftsy kit using Manos del Uruguay Silk Blend.  This was also finished and worn at Rhinebeck.The rest of the extra skein will go to a preemie hat for donation 
  • Studio project. Yes, the studio is in good shape, but I do still have that wall of desk and closets to finish organizing.  I want to sort/organize and inventory embroidery threads, clean out the other crafts materials, get the knitting tools organized and my new computer set up on the desk.  
Blog notes:
  • Still working on a three day a week pattern -- Monday for SCA/Medieval/Renaissance related; Tuesday for post 1600 to modern related and Thursdays for status updates.
  • I've begun building the "DONE" pages, and moved links around a bit.  The "main categories" are to the right now -- that's the main labels.  Click on one and see all the posts with that label.  Down below are *all* the labels I've used.  
  • I'm also considering a couple other pages -- one for links to museums and other excellent web resources, and one for a bibliography (with appropriate links).  
So, that's it for my plans for the coming weeks.  Now back to my lovely yellow alpaca.


*EOYHOYC - End of Year Holiday of Your Choice -- a designation that started out kind of tongue in cheek but has come, for me, to express that I don't care what you call it, the end of the modern calendar year is an excellent time to spend time with family -- both blood and chosen -- and that's what the end of the year holidays are all about. 

Tuesday, October 27, 2015

A couple of "done" knitting pieces

Quite a while ago (about 2 years ago), My husband and I were walking through one of the big box stores and saw that they had some Lion Brand Fisherman's Wool on a very good sale -- the big 4 oz skeins for $5.00.  The dark brown and the natural drew him over to the display, and I agreed to buy some and make him something.

After several enjoyable sessions browsing patterns on Ravelry, we agreed on this vest.  I finished up the project I was working on at the time (I try to have only one knitting project going at a time), and cast on in May 2014.

Now, knitting keeps getting put down.  It is my "between" project, my "clear my mind when embroidery has filled it up too much" work.  So, it took quite a while to finish.  I bought buttons for it at Rhinebeck 2014 and continued to work on it sporadically.

I finally finished the knitting while we were on vacation in May, and quickly made up a pair of these fingerless gloves to go with the vest.  Then both projects sat in my project bag most of the summer (while I worked on something else, but that's another post).  The week before Rhinebeck, I finally pulled out the vest, did all the weaving in, blocked it and added the buttons.  He proudly wore both the vest and the fingerless gloves to Rhinebeck this year.







 This was my first truly sized piece.  I've done socks, but didn't really follow different directions for size on those.  I'm pretty happy with the final result.  Don't know that I'll be doing a lot of constructed garments -- I like doing shawls and scarves and fingerless gloves -- but I'm glad to know I was able to suss out the instructions for shaping and making it up.


Monday, October 26, 2015

C&L - Couched Cord on Applique

One of the simplest uses of Laid and Couched work is to place a cord or decorative braid around the edges of appliqued work.  Sometimes the cord contrasts with the motifs, as in this late 15th to early 16th century fragment from Egypt and this earlier one, and sometimes the cord blends in with the ground fabric, making the applied motif stand out, as in this Spanish banner from the very end of SCA period.  Sometimes the couched cord is metal thread and in a few examples it is leather strips with gilt, such as in The Tristan hanging (Hanging) | V&A Search the Collections

This Cushion cover includes both metal couched metal thread and couched non-metal cord, as well as some couched cord used within the applied motifs, as can be seen in this close up.

One of the pieces I will be making for my Expert panel in Couching & Laid* work will be such a piece.  It doesn't need to be a large piece, it's one of the "backup" pieces which will, together, show my ability in all aspects of C&L.

I plan to do a cushion cover, though not a long one.  I will make a cushion to fit one of the chairs my husband and I typically take to SCA events which will make it more comfortable (yes, I will be sitting on it, presumably my stitches will be good enough that it will handle it).  I am considering either straight up my arms, or a design of an oak tree with one or more squirrels under it, possibly holding needles as in my arms. I'm kind of leaning towards a nice stylized oak tree with a squirrel.

Since this project is for me and not a surprise, it is one I can discuss the process of on this blog, so there will be updates as I work.

And that's it for this week's Monday post.  Have a great week everyone. Tomorrow I get to show off some of my modern knitting that has been recently completed.


*Couching & Laid work is the category title in Athena's Thimble.

Thursday, October 22, 2015

Thursday delay

It has been a crazy week, and my post tonight was delayed.  We are all hopeful that the construction at the office is almost done and work life will return to normal -- whatever *that* is.

There was some stitching at A&S last night, as well as some general talking about stitching :)  Overall, this week I've been knitting.  One of the joys of having such eclectic interests is that when something is dragging, I can turn to something else (deadlines allowing, of course)

So, here's this week's status of projects in progress and "on deck":

Current project list/status (SCA/Historic):
  • Motifs for coronation cloaks (different coronation) -- The two that are done were blogged about here.  I've started the outlining for the next one.  I do want to get these done sooner rather than later....
  • Marshall Hanging -- the very large Bayeux inspired piece that I've been working on (on and 

    off) for just about forever.  Deadline, June some time summer 2016. Nothing since the beach weekend, but I'm expecting it to see some needle time in the next week or so. 
  • Hem stitched square -- Now 3 sides are done and the third one started.  Currently my travel piece.  With no deadline, and just for me just for fun, I'm ok with slow progress on this one.
  • Additional couching & laid work pieces. The June 2016 deadline is for a very special presentation to the East Kingdom embroidery guild, Keepers of Athena's Thimble.  In addition to the master work of the Marshall Hanging, I need supporting pieces in other forms of laid and couched work.  There will be posts as these are done. Some research and Pinteresting have been done.  One of the pieces has been determined in plan, but won't be presented until February so no posts.  I promise, that's the last "it's secret, no posts until given" item for a while.
  • Garb.  I have this lovely black silk for a tunic for my husband -- one which will have plenty of stitching on it.  Also in planning are a couple more coifs -- and shifts and shirts. Hope to have something ready for us both for an event in December. 

Current project list/status (Modern):
  • Knitted vest for Joe.  This is done and was worn at Rhinebeck.  Expect post on Tuesday with value added photos. 
  • Skirts for work.  One skirt that had been languishing in my studio has had some work done, and now just needs a hem.  I also have some lovely blue and white fabric waiting to be the next skirt. Yes, you're right, no change here. 
  • Bay of Fundy Scarf.  Proceeding well.  This is excellent travel work -- it fits nicely in a project bag and is easy to pull out during lunch. 
  • Gift knitting.  I don't take on a lot of knitting for gifts, especially with my usual policy of only having one knitting project in progress at a time, but I found some lovely yarn at Rhinebeck for a scarf for a friend for an EOYHOYC* gift so that will enter rotation.  I've spent some time on Ravelry and I think I know which pattern I'm going to use -- so this weekend I'll wind the hank and do some swatching. 
  • Knitted Salto fingerless gloves from Craftsy kit using Manos del Uruguay Silk Blend.  This was also finished and worn at Rhinebeck.The rest of the extra skein will go to a preemie hat for donation 
  • Studio project. Yes, the studio is in good shape, but I do still have that wall of desk and closets to finish organizing.  I want to sort/organize and inventory embroidery threads, clean out the other crafts materials, get the knitting tools organized and my new computer set up on the desk.  
Blog notes:
  • Still working on a three day a week pattern -- Monday for SCA/Medieval/Renaissance related; Tuesday for post 1600 to modern related and Thursdays for status updates.
  • I've begun building the "DONE" pages, and moved links around a bit.  The "main categories" are to the right now -- that's the main labels.  Click on one and see all the posts with that label.  Down below are *all* the labels I've used.  
  • I'm also considering a couple other pages -- one for links to museums and other excellent web resources, and one for a bibliography (with appropriate links).  
So, that's it for my plans for the coming weeks.  Now back to my lovely yellow alpaca.


*EOYHOYC - End of Year Holiday of Your Choice -- a designation that started out kind of tongue in cheek but has come, for me, to express that I don't care what you call it, the end of the modern calendar year is an excellent time to spend time with family -- both blood and chosen -- and that's what the end of the year holidays are all about. 

Tuesday, October 20, 2015

New York Sheep & Wool... aka Sheepsies

It's a modern day pilgrimage.  The third full weekend of October each year, from all over the country fiber and textile lovers -- and many others -- make their way to Rhinebeck New York to the Dutchess County fairgrounds for Sheep & Wool. It's certainly a tradition among a group of my friends -- one we refer to as "Sheepsies."  We even have "our" set of benches where we meet up at certain times during the day.

It is a weekend full of fun, food, friends, adorable animals, and textiles. 

Looking through, I realize I didn't actually take photos of any of the many, many, many, many vendors of yarn.  

I did get pictures of animals, though...

This llama carefully posed until I got *just* the shot

Cloud on legs -- Paco Vicuna


Such a face
Working hard


How does s/he see?

I did well this year, being mindful of how full my cedar chest is of yarn still to be worked with.  I did score some patterns and shawl pins, though (the brass ones will be our SCA cloak pins):




And, some CDs.  For me, the experience of Sheepsies is knit up with this music -- I love the fact that the musicians clearly are having fun playing.  I remember from when I made music that there are some pieces that are just *fun.*


I did buy *some* yarn, but no pictures -- it's for a gift. 





Monday, October 19, 2015

Sometimes, time just creeps up....

Since I had a really crazy week, and a fantastic weekend away (Sheep & Wool, to be discussed tomorrow), I have no actual topic for my Monday post which is meant to be about Pre-1600 embroidery.

I will mention that I've started Pages, and changed around some of the links.  At the top there will be the links for the pages -- starting with the DONE pages. Each DONE page will have pictures of completed projects and links to blog posts and other related links.  I'm building them now, but the first one has been started.  There will be one for historically based work and one for modern work.

Now, a couple teases for upcoming posts:


  • Update on the Marshall Hanging -- and some thoughts on working a piece that large.
  • First thoughts on a piece based on the Icelandic altar hanging done in the same style embroidery.  That piece I'll be blogging as I work on it since it's not a secret piece. 
  • Occasional links and discussions to some of my favorite pieces of period embroidery.  
  • Thoughts on a period knitting piece that has been kicking around in my mind for a while.



Thursday, October 15, 2015

Oh, look Thursday

Actually, since I'm off tomorrow, it's like Friday!  Anyway, here's my weekly status update:

Last night was A&S night, though I indulged myself in a modern arts week.  Finally did the weaving in of ends on a vest I made for my husband, and worked some on my Bay of Fundy scarf (the one I swatched earlier this week).  I'm definitely happy with the needle size on that.

So, here's this week's status of projects in progress and "on deck":

Current project list/status (SCA/Historic):
  • Medallion for a coronation mantle -- By all reports, and the photos I've seen it was a lovely coronation.  The medallion is blogged here.  I think it's time to make this blog's first "Page" which will host the DONE items. 
  • Motifs for coronation cloaks (different coronation) -- The two that are done were blogged about here.  I've started the outlining for the next one.  I do want to get these done sooner rather than later....
  • Marshall Hanging -- the very large Bayeux inspired piece that I've been working on (on and

    off) for just about forever.  Deadline, June some time summer 2016. I took this with me on my beach weekend, and got some good work in on the hardest spot, the top of the figure representing my husband.  This has sparked some wondering about just how the Bayeux was done -- on a slate frame that middle is just a couple inches out of easy reach. 
  • Hem stitched square -- Now 3 sides are done and the third one started.  Currently my travel piece.  With no deadline, and just for me just for fun, I'm ok with slow progress on this one.
  • Additional couching & laid work pieces. The June 2016 deadline is for a very special presentation to the East Kingdom embroidery guild, Keepers of Athena's Thimble.  In addition to the master work of the Marshall Hanging, I need supporting pieces in other forms of laid and couched work.  There will be posts as these are done. Some research and Pinteresting have been done.  One of the pieces has been determined in plan, but won't be presented until February so no posts.  I promise, that's the last "it's secret, no posts until given" item for a while.

Current project list/status (Modern): (oh, look, no progress here.... working on a deadline will do that).
  • Knitted vest for Joe.  Knitting is done.  Ends have been woven in.  Tomorrow night I'll block and add the buttons.  He will have it for Rhinebeck! Yay. 
  • Skirts for work.  One skirt that had been languishing in my studio has had some work done, and now just needs a hem.  I also have some lovely blue and white fabric waiting to be the next skirt. 
  • Bay of Fundy Scarf.  Cast on.  Hated result, swatched (see Tuesday's post), cast on again.  I've done the first repeat of the pattern and I'm much happier.  This will proceed. 
  • Knitted Salto fingerless gloves from Craftsy kit using Manos del Uruguay Silk Blend.  I'm so close to done on this one.  It was a lovely kit, which unfortunately didn't have enough of the yarn.  I got another skein and have to wind it off and finish. 
  • Studio project. Yes, the studio is in good shape, but I do still have that wall of desk and closets to finish organizing.  I want to sort/organize and inventory embroidery threads, clean out the other crafts materials, get the knitting tools organized and my new computer set up on the desk.  

Tuesday, October 13, 2015

Swatching is important... even when gauge isn't

A modern knitting post.

As my reward for finishing a couple of other projects, and in anticipation of attending NY Sheep and Wool ("Rhinebeck"), this past weekend I cast on to knit a wrap with some lovely gold alpaca yarn I bought last year at Sheep and Wool.  I particularly love doing shawls, scarves and wraps because "gauge (often) isn't important."  If gauge is 10 stitches an inch and you wind up with 11 -- that just means your piece will be a little smaller, for instance.

The importance of swatching, however, was brought home.  The pattern I am doing (Bay of Fundy scarf) doesn't even list a gauge, but the instructions do indicate that it knits up fairly dense and if using a different yarn (as I am), to use one needle larger than called for on the yarn band.  The pattern calls for 3.5 mm (U.S. 4), so I settled down with my U.S. 5 interchangeable tips on a cable and happily cast on.

Monday, October 12, 2015

Pel/Laurel Medallion for a coronation cloak

Diary of a piece
It all started with an email. My Laurel* who now lives in Tennessee emailed to the East Kingdom embroidery guild looking for people to help with a project for a former Easterner who had just become Princess -- motifs for coronation garb.  Naturally, I said I'd help.  As often happens, the response was 'well, actually....'  and the next thing I knew I was on deck to make one of the medallions to go on her cloak -- a pelican in her piety surrounded by a laurel leaf (Her Majesty is a member of both high orders).  The cloak was worn this past weekend at her Coronation, so this post may now go out.  It's long, being a day to day log of my work on the stitching.

But first, here is the finished piece
 and here it is having been mounted
The one on the other side was done by my apprentice sister, Valerie Renfro.  Her Majesty has reported liking them, and I am pleased as anything to have been able to participate in this project.

More-or-less daily log
(these posts were written on or near their dates).

As I was beginning this project, there was a discussion of "how long" embroidery projects take.   Thus, this post was born.  It's a long one, settle in.  I worked on it daily, recording that day's progress, and thoughts on the project.

7/25/15 Trip to Fireside to select colors (1st trip).  The green is very close to one of the natural dye greens I used on Asa's cloak.  The three beige/grays for the Pelican.  That peachy pink for the beak, but I'm thinking something else will be better, have to look.  The silver braid for the front of the nest, with the brown for the inside.  Thinking there will be some color changes before we're through.


7/12/15  Silk and backing fabric pressed, design transferred (two medallions, I'm stitching one), mount on stretcher bars, first stitches.  Discover the lack of contrast in the white/grays. 1 hour. This photo is of the fabric with the design transferred -- this is the one going to another person to do.  Running total 1 hour

7/13/15  First few leaves, begin pelican. 2 hours.  Failed to take pictures of today's work. Running total 3 hours.

7/14/15
7/14/15  Search stash for another grey (10 minutes), test that grey, first stitches of the darker gray. Put in brain to check if the darker gray feathers will need to have some outlining/definition (25 minutes)  Will the now middle grey work for that?  (Evening) More of the darker gray (30 minutes). Running total 4 hours 5 minutes

7/15/15
7/15/15  A few minutes stitching between arriving at work and going in to the office (12 minutes); a few more while waiting in the doctor's office (40 minutes) Running total 4 hours 45 minutes

7/16/15



7/16/15 A nice evening stitch time. A little more of those top feathers and started the long tail feather. As I work on the darker gray feathers, I find myself leaning more towards wanting to put some definition in, but I will wait until it is done and I see how it all looks together. (1 hour 20 minutes) Running total 6 hours 5 minutes.

7/17/15
7/17/15 A little bit of stitching over lunch (15 minutes), then a nice stitching session in the evening (2.5 hours).  Tail coming along nicely and should be done with one more good session. As I work, I find I'm getting better at changing the individual feathers enough that they look different. Running total 8 hours 50 minutes



7/18/15
7/18/15 Back to Fireside for more of that dark gray, and some black (how can I be out of black!?)  Got a better color for the beaks too. About an hour total stitching this day. Finished the grey feathers. While at Fireside, I got a darker grey yet to add some definition to the feathers with a little top stitching. (2 hours) Running total 10 hours 50 minutes.

7/19/15
7/19/15 Two times of stitching today, total stitching today 2 hours 15 minutes. Body of the Pelican well along. There's that little middle section of feather that I'm still mulling. Running total 13 hours 5 minutes.

7/20/15 Just one hour, and no photo.  Not much more to say each day other than stitching along.  And, of course the embarrassing fact that I changed the direction I originally meant to go on the one section.  Running total 14 hours 5 minutes.

7/21/15
7/21/15  2 hours stitching. Body and contrast middle done, testing of the highlighting for the feathers. Photo shows yesterday's progress as well as today.  Running total 16 hours 5 minutes
7/22/15
7/22/15  2 hours stitching. Babies done, including their beaks. Before the beaks were added, they looked like blobs, but now they're little baby birds. Running total 18 hours 5 minutes.


7/23/15 No stitching.

7/24/15
7/24/15 2 hours stitching (this seems to be developing into my pattern). Main beak done, detail on all the dark gray tail feathers done.  I think I see a whole blog post in the way that worked.  The darkest gray I used does not contrast that much with the gray of the feathers, but it gives the visual cues needed to see it as individual feathers rather than just a big blob of grey.  Running total 20 hours 5 minutes
7/25/15
7/25/15 Two one hour sessions.  On to the leaves while we work out the final decisions about the nest.
Running total 22 hours 5 minutes




7/26/15
7/26/15 One hour 20 minutes. More leaves.  Discussion is on going about the browns for the nest.  So close. Running total 23 hours 25 minutes.

7/27/15  No stitching this day.

7/28/15 Two hours stitching -- more leaves.  No photo. Running total 25 hours 25 minutes

7/29/15 One hour -- yet more leaves, very close to half done the wreath.  Running total 26 hours, 25 minutes.

7/30/15 One hour, more leaves, no picture.  Yup, reached the repetitive part. Running total 27 hours 25 minutes

7/31/15 One hour 30 minutes.  The wreath is half done.  Here's a picture!  Also, today purchased what I hope is the last color of thread.  Running total 28 hours 55 minutes
7/31/15
8/1/15 Only about 30 minutes today, tied up with a bunch of other stuff and when I had stitching time I kind of crashed.  No photo.  Running total 29 hours 25 minutes. A couple good sessions and the wreath will be done. 

8/2/15 2 hour 20 minutes. Getting very close.  No photo again. Running total 31 hours 45 minutes.
8/3/15

8/3/15 30 minutes.  Just a tiny bit of the wreath to finish.  Running total 32 hours 15 minutes

8/4/15 No stitching


8/5/15
8/5/15 1 hour 30 minutes.  Wreath done, darker portion of the nest begun. Got out beads today.   Running total 33 hours 45 minutes.
8/6/15
8/6/15 1 hour 40 minutes.  Inside of nest done, bead blood drops done.  At first I stitched the beads on with the light grey and kind of randomly -- that was totally wrong, so I carefully removed them and put them on in more ordered rows with the dark brown. Blood drops indeed. Now I just need the thread I ordered for the outside of the nest. Running total 35 hours  25 minutes.

8/7-29 Waiting for the missing thread.  Got some on 8/15, but was working on another project with an earlier deadline.

8/30.  FINISHED.  4 hours 4 minutes.  Makes the total 39 hours 29 minutes.


*For those not in the SCA, "My Laurel" is the woman to whom I am apprenticed.  Email me and we can talk more about the SCA.

Thursday, October 8, 2015

Status update

It's Thursday again.  Last night for A&S I did do a little embroidery, but also spent time on computer maintenance..... I guess that's an A&S of a sort, it certainly supports the rest :) So, that brings me to this week's status report:

Current project list/status (SCA/Historic):
  • Medallion for a coronation mantle -- Well, the coronation this is for is in two days.  Hopefully that means next Monday's post will be the one about it.
  • Motifs for coronation cloaks (different coronation) -- The two that are done were blogged about here.  I've started the outlining for the next one.  I do want to get these done sooner rather than later....
  • This past weekend was also the demo for the German Society.  (Blogged here.) Having tried do the motif I picked for teaching, and tried to teach it, I determined that I need to select a different motif before I put this in my regular teaching rotation.  But, I will do that (I have one in mind), and it will be in my rotation soon. 
  • Marshall Hanging -- the very large Bayeux inspired piece that I've been working on (on and off) for just about forever.  Deadline, June 2016. I expect there will be an update post shortly. No additional work this week.  I do plan work on it this weekend.
  • Hem stitched square -- Now 3 sides are done.  Currently my travel piece.  With no deadline, and just for me just for fun, I'm ok with slow progress on this one.
  • Additional couching & laid work pieces. The June 2016 deadline is for a very special presentation to the East Kingdom embroidery guild, Keepers of Athena's Thimble.  In addition to the master work of the Marshall Hanging, I need supporting pieces in other forms of laid and couched work.  There will be posts as these are done. Some research and Pinteresting have been done.  One of the pieces has been determined in plan, but won't be presented until February so no posts.  I promise, that's the last "it's secret, no posts until given" item for a while.

Current project list/status (Modern): (oh, look, no progress here.... working on a deadline will do that).
  • Knitted Salto fingerless gloves from Craftsy kit using Manos del Uruguay Silk Blend.  I'm so close to done on this one.  It was a lovely kit, which unfortunately didn't have enough of the yarn.  I got another skein and have to wind it off and finish. 
  • Knitted vest for Joe.  Knitting is done.  Just have to do blocking, weave in the ends and sew on the buttons.  Really need to get on this so he can wear it to Rhinebeck this year.
  • Skirts for work.  One skirt that had been languishing in my studio has had some work done, and now just needs a hem.  I also have some lovely blue and white fabric waiting to be the next skirt. 
  • Alpaca stole.  Beautiful yellow alpaca yarn purchased at Rhinebeck last year has been wound.  This is my next knitting project, and should be cast on in time to be what I'm working on at this year's Rhinebeck. I'm going to be using a pattern found on Ravelry, the Bay of Fundy Scarf. I think it will be lovely in the yellow. I'm pretty sure this will be my reward for finishing the current deadline item.  

Tuesday, October 6, 2015

Teaching is everywhere.

On Sunday I participated in a demo at the Philadelphia German Society as part of their German Heritage festival.  Various members of the SCA presented different aspects of Medieval and Renaissance German arts.  I had a slide show of period German embroideries, some recreations done by myself and my good friend Cathy Bent, and some books with more examples bookmarked.  I also had some kits available if anyone wanted to try their hands at the brick stitch. (I had no takers for that part, which just means that I have a teaching box for brick stitch all set up!)

The embroidery "station"
Although there were less people than I though we would be getting, everyone I spoke with was interested and engaged.  They asked very good questions -- and I was generally able to answer them.

We were not the only ones providing information... a group of Hessians joined us, showed us some drills and circulated and talked with attendees.  I had a lovely discussion of garb making with one of the gentlemen -- and reinforced how glad I am we do 12th Century!


Monday, October 5, 2015

Early Irish Tygers

 I was requested to prepare Tygers for the backs of the coronation cloaks for the East Kingdom Fall Coronation (October 4, 2015).  The "garb of the day" for their incoming Majesties was to be early Irish, and a design was provided, evoking the East Kingdom Tyger in a Celtic style.

It was decided that for His Majesty the Tygers should stand approximately 10 inches and for Her Majesty 8 inches.  I prepared blow ups of these designs using my copier.  I also used the copier to prepare mirror images so that on each cloak there will be two Tygers, facing each other. [In period, all of this work would have been done for me by an artist, since I do not have artistic talent myself...I need to give the copier a nice medieval artist name.]

The first plan was to prepare the Tygers in Applique.  Pre-washed wool was ordered from the same source that the cloak fabric itself was to come from.  Unfortunately, the wool did not arrive in time for my comfort in completing the project.  I quickly developed a fall back position -- Bayeux style embroidery.

Bottom left, yes that's all white linen
I selected some nice firmly yellow linen from my stash (remember those shelves full of linen?). New plan involved stitching the Tygers on the linen, cutting them out and appliqueing that to the backs of the cloaks when they're ready.
So glad Medici is available again!





I then selected some DMC Medici wools in three blues and a yellow nearly matching the fabric, burgundy for outlining and red and black for the finishing touches.

All ready to go. 
Since I had already prepared my designs, transfer was quick. Again, I opted for completely modern techniques for this.

First, I prepared the fabric by ironing freezer paper to the back (shiny side to the fabric). This trick, which I learned while working on the Plymouth Jacket keeps the fabric nice and steady while drawing on it.




No more sticky residue

Next, I taped the design down on the glass of my light box. I use painter's tape for this, having learned my lesson to not use packing tape (some day I'll get the rest of that residue off).  The use of a light box has roots in period methods, it's just a lot safer than supporting the fabric in a frame over a candle.
Ready to trace

Next, the fabric was taped down over the design.  I used a Pigma Micron pen. These are available in various sizes, quite fine pointed, and archival ink.  A period embroiderer would have used a pen and ink.

Not quite done.... 
The light box I have has a nice rocker switch with which I can reduce the level of light, so I can check progress.
All ready. 
I marked in each section a letter code to remind myself which thread I want to use in each.
Next I mounted the fabric on stretcher bars to be nice and firm. Time to stitch.
Not *quite* a stitch by numbers kit.

First, I used stem stitch for all the lines, using the burgundy thread I had chosen. The Bayeux Stitch portions were next -- body, face, legs, paws and mane.  Finally, the yellow detail and the tail were filled in with stem stitch, resulting in the first of the Tygers for Her Majesty,  Then I did it all again for the first Tyger for His Majesty.  Time was not on my side and only two (one each) Tygers were done -- and still late -- to be handed off for application to the cloaks. 


Photo by Brendan Crane
Photo by Brendan Crane
Temporary application was made by neatening up the yellow fabric and applying the Tygers on their fields of yellow.  Two more Tygers will be made, and all four will receive a different, more time intensive, application process -- but that, as they say, is a post for another day.

Photo by Brendan Crane
Below are some close ups of portions of the finished Tygers.  
Wait, something's missing

What a difference a tongue makes
(Yes, that's two different Tygers, at different resolutions, because I'm dumb and didn't take before and after shots)

A couple more close ups:

A bit of body in Bayeux and detail in stem stitch

A bit of everything

Round and round and round the tail we go.