I am continuing work on the Historical Needlework Resources pages, I have updated the pages the Middle East, including sections on Coptic, Mamluk and Persian historical embroidery. Please feel free to link to these pages if interested.
31 May 2005
Finally, Some Page Completed
I finally, after weeks of mucking about, got some scrapbooking done last night. I finished off the last two pages of my wrestling layout from last year and then did four pages of Festival 2004 as well. It was embarassing when I was doing them. It's been so long since I've done any pages, that I forgot where half the supplies were!
I plan on doing some more tonight, I really enjoyed doing them. Also, I got some new Sizzix dies as well in the post. I bought them from the USA. Even with air mail, they are half the price I can buy them for here. Now I know the buyer is reliable, I'm going to buy a couple of the new Sizzlets alphabets.
I plan on doing some more tonight, I really enjoyed doing them. Also, I got some new Sizzix dies as well in the post. I bought them from the USA. Even with air mail, they are half the price I can buy them for here. Now I know the buyer is reliable, I'm going to buy a couple of the new Sizzlets alphabets.
29 May 2005
LoG Pouch Finished
The Anglo-Saxon Ring LOG Pouch didn't end up being a ring pouch. I didn't leave enough fabric around the edges to gather it around the ring. So in order to get it to the finished pile, I just made it up as a normal pouch. Lined with light-weight linen.
I like doing these LOG pouches, they are quick small projects. I think the next one I do will be a goldwork one, red silk base, goldwork stag and maybe the stars done in freshwater pearls.
And you know the strange thing? With all the pouches I've made, I still don't have one of my own! I have the tent stitch one, but the more I think about it, the less I like the design of that one.
I like doing these LOG pouches, they are quick small projects. I think the next one I do will be a goldwork one, red silk base, goldwork stag and maybe the stars done in freshwater pearls.
And you know the strange thing? With all the pouches I've made, I still don't have one of my own! I have the tent stitch one, but the more I think about it, the less I like the design of that one.
28 May 2005
Shopping and Making Stuff - Bezants
I had a quick run over town this morning. First stop was the Embroiderers Guild Exhibition at the Town Hall. Quite a few nice things, interesting to see a few historically inspired pieces my favourite was the reticella piece.
When I'd finished there, I stopped off at Frontline Hobbies to pick up some soft brass sheet. I came across some instructions for making bezants and thought I'd give it a go. I was inspired partly by some scrapbooking accessories that I'd come across. I thought I could use these as my dies. The ony problem was that I couldn't find the right weight of brass. I ended up getting a mixed pack of 4 different weights of shim.
The instructions called for using a hammer. I was worried about being able to spread the pressure evenly across the whole of the die. Then I had a though, my Sizzix machine is bascially just a press, that would be perfect. So I put down a few pieces of leather onto the cutting matt. Put the brass sheet down and then put the die on top. This was then slide under the body of the Sizzix machine and I pushed the handle down. Success!!
They came out pretty well. The heaviest weight in the pack was too thick and didn't take the shape of the die. I used the next two thicknesses and they worked really well. But even using this thin a shim, the pressure still collapsed part of the dies. Unfortunately, they weren't solid metal, so they collapse. But there was still enough of the pattern to make an impression. The thinnest shim, which took the pattern the best (see last image in the bottom right of the picture below), but is really too thin to be useable.
After cutting around the edges, I used my smallest holepunch to put in sewing holes in one of the round bezants. It worked really well and will be easier than using a needle.
So now all I have to do is come up with a project to use them on. One of the categories for WCOB next year is Beading...hhmm.
When I'd finished there, I stopped off at Frontline Hobbies to pick up some soft brass sheet. I came across some instructions for making bezants and thought I'd give it a go. I was inspired partly by some scrapbooking accessories that I'd come across. I thought I could use these as my dies. The ony problem was that I couldn't find the right weight of brass. I ended up getting a mixed pack of 4 different weights of shim.
The instructions called for using a hammer. I was worried about being able to spread the pressure evenly across the whole of the die. Then I had a though, my Sizzix machine is bascially just a press, that would be perfect. So I put down a few pieces of leather onto the cutting matt. Put the brass sheet down and then put the die on top. This was then slide under the body of the Sizzix machine and I pushed the handle down. Success!!
They came out pretty well. The heaviest weight in the pack was too thick and didn't take the shape of the die. I used the next two thicknesses and they worked really well. But even using this thin a shim, the pressure still collapsed part of the dies. Unfortunately, they weren't solid metal, so they collapse. But there was still enough of the pattern to make an impression. The thinnest shim, which took the pattern the best (see last image in the bottom right of the picture below), but is really too thin to be useable.
After cutting around the edges, I used my smallest holepunch to put in sewing holes in one of the round bezants. It worked really well and will be easier than using a needle.
So now all I have to do is come up with a project to use them on. One of the categories for WCOB next year is Beading...hhmm.
27 May 2005
More on Photo Removal
Chloe has posted a comment a little further down, about some of the photo-removal tips I offered. To quote:
Don't get me wrong, I'm an historian by training and I've worked in libraries as well. I strongly discourage people not to do anything to heritage photos ie those that there are no other copies of or negatives. I cringe when the cropping tools come out near these photos. But I believe that on the whole, it's better to get these photos out of the horrible self-adhesive albums than to leave them there.
Personally, I wouldn't use Un-do on heritage photos, but a small amount of soft heat, from behind, just enough to loosen the glue is something I can live with. Ultimately, it's up to each person to make that judgement call.
BTW, check out Chloes' site, it has some great embroidered aprons and other goodies on it.
Ummm, I have to tell you I work for a range of small museums, so have been trained a fair bit by conservators, who would probably have fits (except maybe the dental floss stuff) about some of your suggestions. :( The way we were taught was similar to the splitting - then we sat there with a very sharp scalpel and just very, very, very carefully cut the backs off. It was always find a mechanical method, never, ever a chemical method, as that could do even more harm. And never, ever to apply heat, as it would hasten the breakdown of photos.Now, on the whole I agree with what Chloe is saying but I would also say that most people who do scrapbooking at doing it for enjoyment and as a hobby and don't have the time or resources to treat their photos at the same level as a professional conservator would.
But your alum sounds very special. :)
Don't get me wrong, I'm an historian by training and I've worked in libraries as well. I strongly discourage people not to do anything to heritage photos ie those that there are no other copies of or negatives. I cringe when the cropping tools come out near these photos. But I believe that on the whole, it's better to get these photos out of the horrible self-adhesive albums than to leave them there.
Personally, I wouldn't use Un-do on heritage photos, but a small amount of soft heat, from behind, just enough to loosen the glue is something I can live with. Ultimately, it's up to each person to make that judgement call.
BTW, check out Chloes' site, it has some great embroidered aprons and other goodies on it.
26 May 2005
Test Run of Klosterstitch Piece
I did a quick test run for the Klosterstitch piece I am going to do. Normally, I don't do this. I usually just jump in at the deep end and learn on the final piece, but in this case, I really needed to time myself a bit and also see what sort of coverage the DMC Tapestry wool would give. I did two 70cm lengths in about 15mins. It looked pretty good, but I don't think its as fine as the original. I think Appletons would be closer to the mark, but that would have two drawbacks. It would add to the completion time and also the cost as I would need twice as much yarn at double to the cost. Although, you can by the Appletons in 45m skeins. I will do a test run with the Appletons to see what it looks like. I know I am going to like it better! Damn!
25 May 2005
Shameless Plug
As you might know, I have a couple of companion sites for this blog. One is the Historical Needlework Resources website. This post is nothing but a shameless plug for that site! Please, if you are interested in historical embroidery, have a look. The two best ways to explore the site are by choosing Location or Period. Location will take you to a choice of geographical areas and give you information on the history of embroidery from that area.
Period, as it suggests, are broken down by century, then by location and type of embroidery. This section is just pages (and pages and pages) of links to extant examples of historical embroidery.
If you have a website that deals with historical embroidery, please think about linking to the site. There is no point in all that work being up there unless people visit!!
I've been working on the site alot recently, and will always being adding information. I am currently working on the Middle East, so if you have any information on the history of embroidery from this area, feel free to send it to me.
You can contribute information by sending it directly to me or by posting it in the relevant discussion board on the Forums.
Period, as it suggests, are broken down by century, then by location and type of embroidery. This section is just pages (and pages and pages) of links to extant examples of historical embroidery.
If you have a website that deals with historical embroidery, please think about linking to the site. There is no point in all that work being up there unless people visit!!
Historical Needlework Resources - http://medieval.webcon.net.au/
I've been working on the site alot recently, and will always being adding information. I am currently working on the Middle East, so if you have any information on the history of embroidery from this area, feel free to send it to me.
You can contribute information by sending it directly to me or by posting it in the relevant discussion board on the Forums.
23 May 2005
Been Quiet
I'm still alive and kicking, in case anyone was wondering. It's been busy around here and I haven't been doing much sewing, except for the quilt.
I have been working on a design for an upcoming WCOB competition on Klosterstitch. I'm worried my design will be too big to get done in 12 months, but the more I think about it, the more I want to do it properly, even if that means entering an incomplete item. Plans will be up once they are finalised. I will be getting some outside help on this project as drawing isn't my strong suit.
I have been working on a design for an upcoming WCOB competition on Klosterstitch. I'm worried my design will be too big to get done in 12 months, but the more I think about it, the more I want to do it properly, even if that means entering an incomplete item. Plans will be up once they are finalised. I will be getting some outside help on this project as drawing isn't my strong suit.
13 May 2005
Glue and Photos = Bad
This is mainly for Joanna. As far as retrieving photos that have been glued into albums, there are a couple of options. The first is a product called Un-du Adhesive Remover. This is a liquid product that you apply to the back of the photo (assuming you can lift a small section at the side). It dissolves the glue without harming the photo. However, it depends on the type of glue used to stick the photos down.
Another tip for removing photos from self-adhesive albums is to take the page out of the album and split the page in half, so that the front of the page and the back of the page are separated. Once this is done, use a hair dryer to heat the back for the photo. Do NOT heat the front of the photo. Do this slowly. It should "melt" the adhesive and allow its removal. You can use something like dental floss wiggled between the back of the photo and the page to remove the photo without bending it.
PS. If you leave a comment or ask a question it's helpful if you leave an email address, that way I can answer you directly.
Another tip for removing photos from self-adhesive albums is to take the page out of the album and split the page in half, so that the front of the page and the back of the page are separated. Once this is done, use a hair dryer to heat the back for the photo. Do NOT heat the front of the photo. Do this slowly. It should "melt" the adhesive and allow its removal. You can use something like dental floss wiggled between the back of the photo and the page to remove the photo without bending it.
PS. If you leave a comment or ask a question it's helpful if you leave an email address, that way I can answer you directly.
12 May 2005
Sewing and Website Work
More sewing on the quilt and I've been doing a fair bit of work on my Historical Needlework Resources website over the last few days. I am trying to get some basic info up for each of the geographical areas listed on the website. About half are now done. With another 4 to go.
11 May 2005
Preparations for Scrapping WWII Album
By some weird convolution of events, my Dad's side of the family ended up with a photo album from WWII belonging to my Mum's Dad. It's been sitting there, ready for me to take it out of the toxic self-adhesive page album and put it into a nice black scrapbook album. Last night I got off my bum and did something about it. I started to scan each of the pages of the album in. My reasons for doing this are two fold. I will have a record of what photo went where and with what caption. Also, it gives me a back up scan of each of the images. Once I have all the pages scanned, I can start to get the photos out of the album. My next decision is what to do about the captions. They are hand written and I would like to keep them in some way. I am thinking about photocopying them onto acid free paper and using them in the new album. Might have to invest in the new Sizzix bookplate die.
10 May 2005
Sewing
No more embroidery at the moment, still doing the patchwork quilt. I am getting the strong urge to do some scrapbooking. We were talking about what we might do with ourselves after the upcoming retrenchments here at work (we are about to have 20% of the workforce sacked). And I said I might try my hand at scrapbooking again. I've been thinking about doing scrapbooks for other people, rather than go into supplies etc, do the actual books for people with more money than time. See how it goes.
9 May 2005
Instant Messaging
I'm online most of the time, feel free to say hi. If you try to add me to your contact list, please mention this blog or something about embroidery or I'm likely to refuse the request.
- Yahoo Messenger ID: jane_of_stockton
- ICQ UIN: 816595
- AIM Screenname: larenoz
8 May 2005
Movies and Mothers Day
We went to see Kingdom of Heaven today. Not bad, costumes are OK, nothing stuck out. But then the Crusades aren't my area of expertise. It did have a bit of a Gladiator-in-the-Crusades feel to it, not Ridley Scotts best work, and he didn't disappoint with the blue/grey feel (he is the only guy who can make movies set in Italy and the Middle East and still make it look dark and miserable!).
After the movies, we went to Adams' sisters house and met up with his Mum and Dad for Mothers Day. We all ended up working on jig saws, Gods I hate those things!!
After the movies, we went to Adams' sisters house and met up with his Mum and Dad for Mothers Day. We all ended up working on jig saws, Gods I hate those things!!
7 May 2005
Shopping in the Rain
Last night didn't go quite as expected. Adam called from outside Uni, Dad's car that we are looking after and using while he is away, broke down. So I had to do an emergency run to the petrol station to pick up oil. But when we checked, there was plenty in the resevoir, so we called the NRMA. When he got there, he listened to the engine for about 3 seconds and said we'd lost a timing belt and we'd need a tow. So computer stuff was transferred to our car and I drove home while Adam waited for the tow truck. We are going to hear today from the mechanic to see if he can fix it and how much it will cost.
Today I went shopping. Because we only had one car I was back to being a pedestrian. So I got a lift to the ferry but would be walking home. It started to rain just as I got out of the car and in my wisdom (not!) I'd decided not to bring a coat. So I spent the next four hours walking around in the rain. It wasn't that bad, actually. But I did get the bus back home (which meant no wet food for the cats!)
I got some scrapbooking supplies, including some brads and some patterned paper from Spotlight. Normally, I don't use alot of pattern paper, but this stuff was Me and My Big Ideas brand, at $5 for 50 sheets (2 x 25 patterns). They had several colour ways and I bought 6 packets worth. 300 sheets for $30, not bad. When I went to the scrapbook shop, I actually only bought a magazine. I was going to buy some Making Memories stamps, but they didn't have any. I did buy some foam to try making my own stamps with my Sizzix machine.
I don' know how much scrapping I will get done as the weather is starting to turn cold and I generally do my scrapping in the warm weather. But I am starting to get a backlog so I really need to get organized.
On the sewing front, I've been doing some work on a quilt I have in progress. It's my travel quilt, in that it is a small project at that I have packed ready to go for when I know I will be sitting around alot, like train trips to Sydney! Its in 30's repro fabrics and white. No challenge until I get the applique bit around the borders!
Today I went shopping. Because we only had one car I was back to being a pedestrian. So I got a lift to the ferry but would be walking home. It started to rain just as I got out of the car and in my wisdom (not!) I'd decided not to bring a coat. So I spent the next four hours walking around in the rain. It wasn't that bad, actually. But I did get the bus back home (which meant no wet food for the cats!)
I got some scrapbooking supplies, including some brads and some patterned paper from Spotlight. Normally, I don't use alot of pattern paper, but this stuff was Me and My Big Ideas brand, at $5 for 50 sheets (2 x 25 patterns). They had several colour ways and I bought 6 packets worth. 300 sheets for $30, not bad. When I went to the scrapbook shop, I actually only bought a magazine. I was going to buy some Making Memories stamps, but they didn't have any. I did buy some foam to try making my own stamps with my Sizzix machine.
I don' know how much scrapping I will get done as the weather is starting to turn cold and I generally do my scrapping in the warm weather. But I am starting to get a backlog so I really need to get organized.
On the sewing front, I've been doing some work on a quilt I have in progress. It's my travel quilt, in that it is a small project at that I have packed ready to go for when I know I will be sitting around alot, like train trips to Sydney! Its in 30's repro fabrics and white. No challenge until I get the applique bit around the borders!
6 May 2005
German Embroidery from Regensburger
- Wool Hanging, 14th C
- Wool Hanging - detail, 14th C
- Wool Hanging - detail, 14th C
- Wool Hanging - detail, 14th C
- Wool Hanging - detail, 14th C
5 May 2005
Various Embroidery Bits
- Dalmatic of Kaiser Heinrich II, 11th C
- Mantle of Kaiser Heinrich II, 11th C
- Mantle of Kaiser Heinrich II, 11th C
- Mantle of Kaiser Heinrich II - detail, 11th C
- Mantle of Kaiser Heinrich II - detail, 11th C
- Mitre (English), 11thC
- Mitre (English), 11th C
- Linen Shirt (with gusset and pleating), 14th C
- Chasuble, 15th C
- Mitre, 15th C
3 May 2005
Needle Prayse Notify List - Please Read If A Member
If you are a member of my Needle Prayse Notify list (where you will be sent an email when I upload new handouts to my website), you will have to rejoin as for some unknown reason, the group has been deleted from YahooGroups. I wish I had kept a member list! ;-(
Middle Class English Clothing in the Civitates Orbis Terrarum
I've just created a new page with images of Middle Class English clothing from Civitates Orbis Terrarum. This document is one of the few sources for images of middle class clothing throughout Europe. I have the full set of volumes at home and would be able to scan specific towns if people need them. There is just one condition, you have to give me the name of the town in Latin, as this is how they are listed in the atlas.
If you are interested in non-English towns, you might like to try this page on the Civitates Orbis Terrarum, which has links to many colour plates.
If you are interested in non-English towns, you might like to try this page on the Civitates Orbis Terrarum, which has links to many colour plates.
2 May 2005
Embroidery from Luneburg
- Room With Hangings on Display
- Altar with Hangings
- Whitework Antependium, 14th C
- Whitework Antependium - detail, 14th C
- Whitework Antependium - detail, 14th C
- Whitework Antependium, 13th C
- Whitework Antependium - detail, 13th C
- Whitework Antependium - detail, 13th C
- Whitework Antependium - detail, 13th C
- Whitework Antependium, 14th C
- Whitework Antependium, 14th C
- Whitework Antependium, 14th C
- Whitework Antependium, 14th C
- Wool Work Hanging, 15th C
- Wool Work Hanging - detail, 15th C
- Wool Work Hanging - detail, 15th C
- Tree of Jess Hanging, 15th C
- Wool Work Hanging, 15th C
- Wool Work Hanging, 15th C
- Wool Work Hanging - detail, 15th C
- Wool Work Hanging, 15th C
