Thursday honesty....

I have weeks like this, weeks where I really don't feel like any embroidery or knitting or .... Of course, there's usually some research those weeks, and there was this week.  That said, here's my honesty:

Current project list/status (SCA/Historic):

• Applique piece for C&L -- Some of the research I did was aimed at getting off the starting block for this one. 
• 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.  All the mailing has gone out.  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...." I've got lots ready to write a nice meaty Tuesday post on ... but that would be a spoiler.

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 even yet in March..... Maybe some of that studio time on Sunday can be devoted to this.

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.  

Spring...

Flowers and trees blooming, warm, lengthening days... it must be Spring, when a fiber artist's thoughts turns to....

COLOR

(with apologies to Tennyson). While I try to wear brighter colors even in the depths of winter, I do find that when shopping for materials, I tend to the brighter items as the Spring draws closer.

All the colors.... 

Like this yarn I just bought.  Looking forward to using it for a bright colorful light weight cowl, just right for cool Spring evenings, and Summer air conditioned places.

It has been a long time since I actually studied anything about color theory (maybe Jr. High?).  I mainly either follow the colors of a piece I am inspired by (for historic work), or just hold things together to see what I like.  A number of years ago I realized that my wardrobe was almost entirely black, dark blue and brown, and I started to change that.  I bought clothing and fabrics in brighter, jewel tones.  I went through a "yellow period" (seriously, I had enough yellow tops to wear one every day to work). I started using combinations I had been taught (somewhere along the way) to avoid.  Red and deep purple, for instance.  I found that a skirt with flowers with specks of color paired well with a shirt pulling one of those speck colors.

I'd like to be a little more knowledgeable about it, though, and have started looking at some resources for understanding a bit more about color and how it works.  The title of this website caught my eye: A beginners guide to beginning colour theory by someone who was never taught art. After all, Jr. High art classes were a long time ago. :)

So, stay tuned as I learn more and play with color, both modern and historic.

Meanwhile I think I'll go play with some bright threads.

Speaking of color, coming soon, maybe next week. more info on those 18th Century canvas work pocket books -- and wait until you see the riot of colors there!

New Feature: Random Item

So, while I quietly work in the background, as it were, on several projects that really don't have much share-able, I decided on a new "feature" here on the Study.  The Random Item post.  The idea for these posts is that I will find a piece in one of the many on line collections and talk a little about it.  It may be something I've seen in person, it may not.

For this first installment, I chose this Band from the V&A: It is a red silk band embroidered with silk and gold thread, animals in roundels alternating with lozenges intertwined with floral motifs. Dated by the museum as 1150-1200 and currently believed to be English.  It is V&A Accession No. 8237-1863.

Ok, so more-or-less random.  Basically, I put "Embroidery 1200" in the search box and this was one of the hits.  Since it actually dates to the time and country of my SCA persona, I determined it is a good candidate for Random Item.

This band is one of those delightful mystery items which are sometimes all we have.  The item information describes that it is cut on all four sides, making the original form and use uncertain. It is made up of several roundels with animals and lozenges with flowers. The animals are described as a dog or cat, a lion or leopard, two bears back to back....

(C) Victoria and Albert Museum, London

(C) Victoria and Albert Museum, London

And this delightful bird, possibly a peacock.
The stitching is described as underside couching of gold work, with split and stem stitch design details in colorful silk threads.

The vendor said that the band came from Halberstadt Cathedral, however later study, and based on the technique and design, they now believe it to be English.

The use of this lovely band is not now known, though the V&A notes that "pieces like this were typically used as decoration for vestments."

I am particularly struck by the animals and flowers on this piece. This band may well have been on vestments, but it looks like it would be equally happy as the border of a hanging, or even the hem of a special garment. (Unfortunately, the information does not have the size, I'll have to see if I can find out more).

The colors are reported to be somewhat faded, and much of the stitching is worn, but this fantastic photo of the back gives some idea of the wonder of this piece.

(C) Victoria and Albert Museum, London

Having browsed on the V&A Search the Collections, I'm loving this piece and am inspired by the fact that it is, quite possibly, from my persona's time and country.  There may well be a bird in circle, or flower and lozenge showing up in some of my work down the line.