VOTE

There is no post tonight, as I was preparing for tomorrow's Primary (for those who don't know, I am the Judge of Elections for my local voting precinct here in Pennsylvania).  There won't be one tomorrow either.

I make almost no political posts here, on Facebook, Google Plus, anywhere.  But, twice a year I do a similar rant.  Here is this year's version.

Ok, guys, here it is... my semi-annual rant. Tomorrow is primary day in Pennsylvania. If you are eligible and registered to vote VOTE. No matter what your background, people fought and died so that you can vote. There are also a number of people spending a very long day so you can vote (saying thanks to your local board of elections would be cool). In Pennsylvania there is ONE question, meaning everyone can go vote. In Montgomery County there is an "I choose not to vote" button --- so you can go and sign in and actually not vote if that is what you choose (I'll bet other counties have something similar).

But most important, it is your right AND your responsibility. It is one of two times a year *you* are part of the process. Whether you feel that your say is heard or not, this is the time you get to record it -- and it *will NOT make a difference if you don't say it* The "other side" might still win, but if everyone who thinks "I'm for Side A but Side B is going to win anyway, so why vote" were to go out and vote... MAYBE Side A would win.

Vote.

(My wall, my rules, no negative comments, thank you.)

Thursday... and vacation looming

It's been a pretty rough week.  For some reason the fact that I'm going to be out of the office for a week makes my bosses suddenly decide many things have to be done *NOW*  You will notice not much has changed....

Current project list/status (SCA/Historic):

• Applique piece for C&L -- I may have fallen down the research rabbit hole and really need to settle on something.
• Couched cord piece for C&L -- I have looked at a few design inspiration ideas for something to do on my husband's tunic for this element.
• Class this is (mostly) done, for now.  I do have some more work to do on the sample and the re-write on the handout.  
• Marshall Hanging -- No, nothing new.    
• Hem stitched square -- This is officially my current "work on at events" project.  At the same event last weekend I learned some more open work, and am now deciding whether to make this square an overall open work piece or do that on something different. I learned some pulled (diverted thread) work at the Embroidery Schola in February, and this piece has a nice big central area just asking for some decoration.
• That silk tunic I did for my husband -- still need to pull that out and get the seam finishing done, and maybe plan some more embroidery for it. 

• Other garb waiting in the wings... Also in planning are a couple more coifs -- and shifts and shirts.  
• Research.  I've started trolling for inspirational ideas.  My Pinterest boards are overflowing with "oh, that looks cool...."

Current project list/status (Modern)

• Bay of Fundy Scarf.  A few more rows have been knit on this.  I'm enjoying it again, but will be glad when it's done.  I can tell because I've been looking at patterns and even bought some yarn and a pattern for probably my next project. 
• Hat for my husband.  As I mentioned on Tuesday, I have the pattern and yarn to do a hat to help keep my husband warm at his new job.  Yesterday I tried to start it, and had one of those "everything I've done tonight has to come out" moments.  It's amazing how clumsy I feel when I go from fingering to worsted weight (and similar needle size jump). I'll be restarting that hat this weekend. 
• Clothing for work.  This may have to be moved up a bit, as one of my favorite skirts just gave its last.  Now I really need to find pink fabric I like because I cannot imagine not having something in that dark rich pink in my wardrobe.  Of course, I *could* get around to doing the hem on the black and white, that would help.  
• Studio project. A number of things have migrated back to the studio (where, admittedly, they belong), and a few things in the studio need to come out.  I need to determine a day each month for specifically concentrating on getting everything back to where it belongs, which should help keep this room organized. This did not happen in January, or February, or March... Help me April, you're my only hope!

Future project plans: (look, a new section) AKA "In the queue"

• Additional C&L work to do includes an underside couched piece (having been reminded of a thing I knew of one that is not metal thread).
• Knitting plans include the newly purchased pattern and yarn for a pretty wild cowl and fingerless gloves with more of the alpaca that I'm using on the Bay of Fundy scarf.  I also got some lovely blue silk/wool blend that I'll need to find "just the right pattern" for.

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'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).  Any requests? 

So, that's it for my plans for the coming weeks.  

Rule breaking ... again.

I don't have a lot to say today, but, I will share that I'm about to break my "one knitting project on the needles at a time" rule ... again.

My husband started a new job -- one which has him spending significant amounts of time in a freezer, so I'm going to start this hat for him in some lovely black wool (colors are specified).

The yellow shawl I've been working is down to the last 80 pattern rows, so it should be done before too much longer, then I get to do this cowl in the beautiful colorful yarn recently purchased from KnitPicks.

And speaking of that KnitPicks order, another item I bought was a Needle Keeper.

The Needle Keeper is a simple metal tube with a cap at one end with a slit in it.

When using, put the needles all the
way in

When using circular needles, simply slide the work down onto the cable, and stick the needles in the slit -- push them all they way down until the slit in the cap is gripping the cable, especially if you are using interchangeables, that will keep the join nice and safe

The needles stay firmly in place, and are protected from damage when your work bag is handled.  I used the small silicone bands that held the Keeper to the sales card to hold my cable needle on the tube.  I've been using it for a couple weeks and have been very happy with the results.

Update on a Random post

On March 28 (in this post) I talked about an Unknown Band at the V&A dated to 1150 to 1200.  At that time I emailed the V&A hoping to get more information about a related piece held by the Abegg-Stiftung in Switzerland, and a little more detail about the V&A's piece. 

Today I heard back from the V&A with information as to which of the catalogs of the Abegg-Stiftung the related piece is listed in (with page reference even) -- now I know which one to look for at the local University Libraries.  Time for a "library romp" -- and me time off next week, how about that :)

I also learned more information about the size of the piece held by the V&A.  Either they updated their on line listing or I was simply blind before.  Anyway, the piece as it currently exists is 45.5 cm by 8.5 cm (approximately 18 x 3.5 inches) -- certainly a size that suggests it could have been used as trim in one way or another.   

And, really exciting is that the piece is currently in conservation, being prepared to be part of the exhibit on Opus Anglicanum (October 1, 2016 to February 15, 2017).  Yet another reason to figure out how to find the money for a trip to London!

Meanwhile, I'll see if I can find  the book, Wetter, Evelin: Mittelalterliche Textilen III - Stickerei bis um 1500 und figurlich gewebte Borten, Abegg-Stiftung, 2012. 

So, when you find a piece on a museum website that interests you, don't be shy, write to them.  Many will answer -- and you never know what rabbit hole .... er ... line of research you may fall into. 

Why this remains "hobby"

Occasionally, life builds up.  Things making both work and personal life very busy right now, and I have not been able to address doing a post for today.  I apologize.  There is some fibery goodness going on "behind the scenes" though, so I hope to have things to say next week.

Thursday, Thursday

I really do like Thursday.  Close to the end of the week, but far enough from the weekend to believe I'll get done the things I wanted to get done before the weekend. You will notice not much has changed.... Maybe I should start putting the changes in italics or highlighted :)

Current project list/status (SCA/Historic):

• Applique piece for C&L -- I may have fallen down the research rabbit hole and really need to settle on something.
• Couched cord piece for C&L -- I have looked at a few design inspiration ideas for something to do on my husband's tunic for this element.
• Class this is (mostly) done, for now.  I do have some more work to do on the sample and the re-write on the handout.  
• Marshall Hanging -- No, nothing new.    
• Hem stitched square -- This is officially my current "work on at events" project.  At the same event last weekend I learned some more open work, and am now deciding whether to make this square an overall open work piece or do that on something different. I learned some pulled (diverted thread) work at the Embroidery Schola in February, and this piece has a nice big central area just asking for some decoration.
• That silk tunic I did for my husband -- still need to pull that out and get the seam finishing done, and maybe plan some more embroidery for it. 

• Other garb waiting in the wings... Also in planning are a couple more coifs -- and shifts and shirts.  
• Research.  I've started trolling for inspirational ideas.  My Pinterest boards are overflowing with "oh, that looks cool...."

Current project list/status (Modern)

• Bay of Fundy Scarf.  A few more rows have been knit on this.  I'm enjoying it again, but will be glad when it's done.  I can tell because I've been looking at patterns and even bought some yarn and a pattern for probably my next project. 
• Clothing for work.  This may have to be moved up a bit, as one of my favorite skirts just gave its last.  Now I really need to find pink fabric I like because I cannot imagine not having something in that dark rich pink in my wardrobe.  Of course, I *could* get around to doing the hem on the black and white, that would help.  
• Studio project. A number of things have migrated back to the studio (where, admittedly, they belong), and a few things in the studio need to come out.  I need to determine a day each month for specifically concentrating on getting everything back to where it belongs, which should help keep this room organized. This did not happen in January, or February, or March... Help me April, you're my only hope!

Future project plans: (look, a new section) AKA "In the queue"

• Additional C&L work to do includes an underside couched piece (having been reminded of a thing I knew of one that is not metal thread).
• Knitting plans include the newly purchased pattern and yarn for a pretty wild cowl and fingerless gloves with more of the alpaca that I'm using on the Bay of Fundy scarf.  I also got some lovely blue silk/wool blend that I'll need to find "just the right pattern" for.

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'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).  Any requests? 

So, that's it for my plans for the coming weeks.  

Revisiting Pocketbooks

Do you remember last summer that I shared with you some photos of textiles at Old Sturbridge Village?  It was in this post.

Well, while looking for something completely different (isn't it funny how that works), I discovered that those canvas pocketbooks in flame stitch (or Bargello, or Irish stitch) were clearly "a thing."  The Philadelphia Museum of Art has quite a number of them.  So many, in fact, that I made a Pinterest board just of these pocketbooks.  It can be found here.

Bargello was one of the first embroidery forms I remember learning.  I had a teacher in high school who did some beautiful pieces and she taught me.  I painstakingly did a wool belt which, despite the fact that it came out quite nicely, I never had made up.  Sadly, I have since lost track of it.  It was quite wide, at least 3 or 4 inches, and was designed to be fastened by cords attached to the two ends and tied (it was the 70s after all...)

Bargello, or flame stitch (the designation "Irish Stitch" being used by the Philadelphia Museum of Art is new to me for this work) seems to have its origins in the 17th or 18 century.  There are stories placing it much earlier, but the existing pieces typically begin in the mid to late 1600s.

Most acurately, the term "flame stitch" applies to certain patterns only, while "Bargello" has become the more general use name.  The pieces have a strong similarity to brick stitch -- both are done on canvas and (most of the time), the stitches "step" from their neighbors.  Some Bargello patterns even step by each stitch while others have a group of stitches (2, 3 or even more) together before stepping.

Historic pieces of Bargello work are done in silks and wools, and usually have strong color palates.

Two of the pieces at Philadelphia really struck me.

First, 1933-47.4, which has a flame style pattern, with some lovely extra touches.  The addition of cross stitches and the use of color gradations makes the motifs really pop.

(c) Philadelphia Museum of Art

Then, there is 1930-30-21.  Dated to 1762, it looks like it could be quite at home 200 years later in the 1960s. 

(c) Philadelphia Museum of Art

I'm particularly entranced by the bright clear colors and wide variety of colors on these pocketbooks. The January/February 2006 issue of Piecework Magazine had an article about these pocketbooks, and a project to sew one of your own.  Those instructions can be found here.  The basic structure is very similar to some modern day wallets -- and how delightful it would be to pull such a piece of art out when paying for groceries.  

I'll probably keep updating that Pinterest board, so feel free to take a look and follow it.  Maybe one will inspire you to some lovely canvas work. 

More randomness

During a recent romp through the on-line collection at The Philadelphia Museum of Art I came across this interesting little piece -- accession number 1894-30-94.

(c) Philadelphia Museum of Art

Listed as a "lace edging" it is colorful embroidery on net, with the not-very-precise dating of 1200-1400.  The description lists it as silk net with silk embroidery which has been stiffened with wax.  It is a long piece at 58 inches, and quite narrow at 2 inches high.

Closer of one section

Looking carefully at the photograph on the website, I do not believe it is Lacis (as currently identified).  The stitches do not look woven, but more like other embroidery stitches such as stem or split, simply done on a net-like fabric rather than a more closely woven one.  To really be sure will call for a visit to the museum to try to see the piece.

This item strikes me very much as one for secular use.  The stiffening with wax leads me more toward it being for household use rather than clothing.  Could it have been trim on a wall hanging, or the edge of a box style cushion?  I also think it quite possible that this is a piece that did not come from a larger workshop.  Though beautiful, it does not have quite that "something" that a professionally done piece might have.

The colors shine though, and it certainly sings to me on this early spring day that feels more like winter.

I know I have seen other pieces of colorful embroidery on net -- I'll have to find the time to do some research on them.  Meanwhile, I will enjoy these flowers and pea pods, knowing that the real ones cannot be far behind.