Sashiko

I am planning on doing something different on an upcoming quilt. So I bought some sashiko supplies. There was a slight issue during check out (which was totally my fault). But when I got my package of stuff, there was a small present, a printed cloth. I worked up and am quite happy with it.

I think I might make it into a bag and give it as a gift. I took me about a day on and off to get it done. I had to take more breaks than normal as I've been having trouble with my hands if I do too much handwork.

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14th Century Houppelande Sleeve

This was a project I worked on recently. It's a 14th Century houppelande sleeve for a friend who was being knighted at Spring War 2014. We modified the pattern (in consultation) slightly from what he originally wanted, to make it easier and quicker to embroider. It was done with a full strand of Maderia silk thread on a light wool fabric.

You can sort of see the weird angle of the embroidery. It actually goes into the top of the shoulder of the sleeve. I did take a photo of the sleeve completed to show the placement but it seems to have disappered.

Thank goodness we consulted with the tailor or we'd have put the embroidery in totally the wrong place. The we was another person who did the left sleeve.

And here is the completed outfit. I think it look awesome.

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Apt, Shroud of St Anne

Apt, Shroud of St Anne, embroidered orbiculus, originally uploaded by julianna.lees.

Not alot of details, but an interesting embroidered piece.

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Arms for Guild Banner - Penultimate

Arms for Guild Banner - Penultimate, originally uploaded by Jane Stockton.

Got the second last section done. I hate working on such a small scale, but at least the arms are of a good design. The split stitch really does work nice in giving a shimmer effect to the design.

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Arms for Guild Banner

Arms for Guild Banner, originally uploaded by Jane Stockton.

Finally, some actual historically based embroidery. You'd thought I'd forgotten how to do this stuff, right?

As part of my finishing push, I'm determined to get this one done in the next few days. I had most of it done before I ran out of the silk thread. It took me ages to get more and by then I'd lost momentum. But now it's back and this will be done by next week.

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Can You Identify The Origin of This Embroidery?

Img_0038, originally uploaded by Jane Stockton.

Someone has contacted me requesting help identifying the possible origin of this piece of embroidery and a possible date for its working. I have my theory but I'd like to see what other people think. Please leave comments with your theory, (with citations of possible sources to support your theory if you have them). If you know of similar pieces I'd love to hear about them!

The roundal is about 8 inches in diameter and appears to be some sort of pattern darning. You can see very good detail in the last two images if you click on them.

Img_0047, originally uploaded by Jane Stockton.

Img_0043, originally uploaded by Jane Stockton.

Img_0041, originally uploaded by Jane Stockton.

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Centre Roundal Started

Centre Roundal, originally uploaded by Jane Stockton.

I started doing the centre roundal for my Elizabethan tent stitch hanging. Let's just say the events are Festival motivated me to get this one finished.

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Slips Cut Out

Slips Cut Out, originally uploaded by Jane Stockton.

These are the slips cut out of the main bit of fabric after the glue has dried. The fabric glue was the best option as it dried clear (like the wood glue) but it was more flexible and also acid free - which is important of longevity.

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Slips Glued To Linen Backing

Slips Glued To Linen Backing, originally uploaded by Jane Stockton.

The slips have been glued to the fine linen backing material using a commercial fabric glue. I used a foam brush to put the glue onto the linen backing fabric. It gave a consistent, thin layer of glue.

I had a bit of a horrible day, was just totally exhausted. So I ended up doing the gluing at midnight!!

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Yellow Slip @ 14 Hrs

Yellow Slip @ 14 Hrs, originally uploaded by Jane Stockton.

Yellow Slip Back, originally uploaded by Jane Stockton.

Managed to get another couple of hours done on the yellow slip. Didn't want to, but I really need to get this done by the weekend so I can start planning on how to put it together and starting the prep work on the slips ie gluing them to a linen ground fabric.

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Yellow Slip @ 12 Hrs

Yellow Slip @ 12 Hrs, originally uploaded by Jane Stockton.

Sorry I've been off the grid for the last week or so. I've been flat chat at work, off sick, and still no modem at home, so I haven't posted. I was going to post some photos from Spring War, but not really anything too exciting, so I don't think I will bother.

The yellow slip is progressing. I've done all the black outlining and started on the flowers. I am waiting for the green silk to get here from China. With a bit of luck, I will have it finished by the end of the week and I can start on constructing the finished product.

A special thanks to Lady Louise de la Mare for her assistance on tracking down a source related to slip methodology.

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Giving Embroidery Movement

Split Stitch Banner Device, originally uploaded by Jane Stockton.

Sigarda is currently working on a piece whose design is based on the Lindisfarne Gospels. The coversation turned to stitch selection. She is currently working a section in chain stitch. I suggested that using split stitch might give the work some movement. It's a bit hard to describe what I mean, but it's the effect you get when you hold this work up to the light at an angle, and it has light coming off in different directions, following the direction of the stitching. Even though it's flat, their is direction and texture in the work.

The silk heraldic work above hints at what I'm talking about.

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Klosterstitch at 66 Hours

klosterstich_66hrs, originally uploaded by Jane Stockton.

I've moved the work on the frame, so now you can't see the pink border section. The extra area worked is the blue background, near the first part of text.

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Slight Frustration

I just realised I haven't posted for a while, life can slide by!! Well, I didn't win the comp at Crown. But Mordenvale did have 3 of the 4 entries, so world domination plans are well on schedule.

I am however, somewhat frustrated about my projects. I got the judging feedback sheets back and I am really surprised. The very ordinary wool pouch got a better mark than the Baronial badge! I was really shocked. And the reason was frustrating. Basically the pouch got better marks because it was more a straight copy from an existing piece than the badge. I know my documentation on both was not as good as it could've been, but I think the badge was better, as it was an original design, using multiple period examples as evidence, using period techniques (although marked down for using single gold thread rather than two - another item which I'm willing to argue the point) and for a period purpose.

I've always been led to believe that an original piece is marked higher, rather than a straight copy. But obviously this isn't the case. At least it bodes well for Midwinter.

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Baronial Guard Badge Complete

Baronial Guard Badge Complete, originally uploaded by Jane Stockton.

This is the finished badge. I used a cardboard template, covered in interfacing to pull the embroidery over. It will be outlined in thick gold cord once it is sewn onto the sash. It is very shiny!! I am entering it in the Heraldic Embroidery competition this weekend at May Crown, I will let everyone know how I went.

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Bluebird Pillow Case

Bluebird Pillow Case, originally uploaded by Jane Stockton.

Bluebird pillow case based on Vogart pattern. Pink linen ground and DMC threads. I've been working on this one for about a week. Unfortunately, some of the transfer ink remains, but I think a few washes should get that out.

Bluebird Pillow Case -Detail, originally uploaded by Jane Stockton.

Bluebird pillow case based on Vogart pattern. Pink linen ground and DMC threads.

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Baronial Guard Badge - Embroidery Done

Baronial Guard Badge - Shiny, originally uploaded by Jane Stockton.

I finally dragged out the Baronial Guard Badge and did the last couple of hours work on it. Now all I have to do is "make it up". I'm thinking of backing it with buckram or cardboard to help give it some body. It will be sewn on a sash and I think stiffness will help make it look nicer. Because of the materials, it can't be washed so the cardboard shouldn't be a problem.

Baronial Guard Badge, originally uploaded by Jane Stockton.

Baronial Guard Badge made using red and green silk ground, with imitation Japanese gold thread. Basic couching work. This image is taken in indirect sunlight to show the design.

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Please Send Money - The Trevelyon Miscellany

I am only half kidding, dear reader. The Trevelyon Miscellany of 1608 has finally been published by the Folger Shakespeare Library. It is $750US or $1500AU. Ouch. I am trying to get my library at work to buy it, but it's gonna be a hard sell.

In case you were wondering why I'm mentioning it here, one of the most famous sections of the miscellany is the large number of embroidery patterns it contains. It also contains all sorts of other things of interest to the person wandering around Shakespeares England, dates for local fairs, astronomy, Bibical quotes and stories, agricultural information etc etc.

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Minor Score

I went over town to check out the "medieval fair" that was being advertised. I got to the car park and decided I wasn't going to pay $20 to get in. I couldn't see more than a couple of stalls. I figured I must've been their too early. So I decided to go into town and check out the big Salvation Army op-shop. I managed to find one good score in the doily basket. Four semi large placemats. They were made out of a nice pale green low count linen. Perfect for an upcoming project on Elizabethan slips. I will have to do some unpicking of the half finished embroidery, but there is about $40 worth of linen there, so well worth the time. Found one blanket. Probably OK for a cloak.

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Klosterstitch at 54hrs

Klosterstitch at 54hrs, originally uploaded by Jane Stockton.

Klosterstitch at 54 hrs. Started on the first quatrefoil and added blue.

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