This post is the culmination of a year long project of embroidering a needle case each month in 12 different styles. Due to time constraints and the complexity of a few of the embroidery styles, in the end I have 10 finished needle cases! The Embroidery Styles include: Applique, black work, German brick stitch, Bayeau… Continue reading 10 Little Needle Cases
December: Embroidery over Pleats
This piece is part of a larger project that I started this year to explore different styles of embroidery. To read more about it click here. To read about how I came up with this specific pattern and design, click here. The Last Needle Case! When I started this project and allotted the last month… Continue reading December: Embroidery over Pleats
December: Smocking
We have entered the final stretch, the final month of needle cases! The last one is smocking. Smocking was a popular decorative way to decorate pleats in chemises and other linen garments like aprons in the 16th century (the last half of the year has been full of 16th century, huh!). The best extant example… Continue reading December: Smocking
November: Caterpillar
This needlework piece is part of my ongoing exploration of different medieval embroidery styles. A full explanation of the project can be found here. A post discussing how I drafted this pattern and the stitches/materials used can be found here. I have had so much fun stitching this year. I have learned so many new… Continue reading November: Caterpillar
November: Padded Work
As you may have read in the finishing of my Reticella piece, September and October were rough months for me. And reticella was difficult. Drawing my threads from the fabric rather than doing a punto in aria design took many more hours than anticipated. And thus, I am sick of white linen and want to… Continue reading November: Padded Work
September: Reticella, the finished piece
A blog describing how I chose this pattern and some historical background on reticella can be found here. These last few months have been difficult on a personal level. I lost one of my biggest patrons due to illness, one of my best friend received devastating health related news, and the plague continues on despite… Continue reading September: Reticella, the finished piece
Inky Experiments 3: Shading the Underdrawing
This post is part of a series of practical experiments regarding marking under drawings for embroidery. An introduction to this project can be found here. Practical Experiment: Shaded Underdrawing After completing these experiments I had further questions: How easy is it to use this ink over prick and pounce markings? How does solid Gum Arabic compare… Continue reading Inky Experiments 3: Shading the Underdrawing
Inky Experiment 2: Prick and Pounce
This post is part of a series of practical experiments regarding marking under drawings for embroidery. An introduction to this project can be found here. Practical Experiment: Pattern Transfer In my first experiment I produced a ink I think could have potentially been used by artists preparing fabrics for embroiderers. In that experiment I free… Continue reading Inky Experiment 2: Prick and Pounce
Inky Experiment 1: Ink Recipes
This post is part of a series of practical experiments regarding marking under drawings for embroidery. An introduction to this project can be found here. Practical Experiment: Ink Recipes To test these different ideas and search for the most ideal ink for embroideries I decided I would perform several experiments with both vine charcoal and… Continue reading Inky Experiment 1: Ink Recipes
September: Needle Lace
Needle lace was the first new thing I learned at my first event in the SCA. I learned a little needle lace edging for a handkerchief (that is yet unfinished, alas). But it lead to the creation of this beautiful bunny: A needle Lace Bunny Now, the casual embroiderer might ask "What is going on… Continue reading September: Needle Lace
The Inevitable Scadian 