Auslan, Shopping and House Work

Pretty boring day. We had to do our catchup Auslan lesson today. We then went shopping and I used one of the digital printing machines at Kodak to print out a few images. Then lunch and home. Did some washing, not alot to do after last weekends effort. Didn't get to any embroidery.

Read More

More German Stuff

No embroidery last night. We went shopping and I got new walking shoes. Feet are now happy.

• Veil, 12th C
• Veil - detail, 12th C
• Veil - detail, 12th C
• Veil - detail, 12th C
• Veil - detail, 12th C
• Fragment with Figures and Animals, 14th C
• Counted Work Fragment, 14th C
• Counted Work Fragment, 14th C
• Counted Work Fragment - detail, 14th C
• Fragment with Unicorn and Pelican, 14th C
• Fragment with Unicorn and Pelican, 14th C
• Fragment with Unicorn and Pelican - detail, 14th C
• Geometric Cross Stitch Fragment, 14th C
• Panel, 14th C
• Panel, 14th C
• Brick Stitch Fragment with Animal, 14th C
• Brick Stitch Fragment with Animal, 14th C
• Panel with Figures and Animals, 14th C
• Panel with Figures and Animals, 14th C
• Panel with Figures and Animals - detail, 14th C

Read More

Square Anglo-Saxon LOG Pouch Complete

I finally got around to finishing off the square Anglo-Saxon LoG pouch. It turned out pretty well. But next time I'm using thicker perle to work the drawstrings and strap in.

And a big Thank YOU to Finndabhair (I got the card!)

Read More

More Cleaning

Adam has been hit by the cleaning bug so we did the bathroom last night. He wants to mount the dryer on the wall, to give us somewhere to put the cat stuff, out of the way. Good idea, just have to find the right brackets to do it.

Read More

ANZAC Day

I didn't go to either service this year. Bloody John Howard has even managed to spoil ANZAC Day, it's disgusting how he exploits even this.

I spent the day doing a complete cleanout and re-arrange of my craft room. We filled up a several wizbins and still had stuff that wouldn't fit in. I started at 8am and stopped at 5pm, but I can now see floor. It really is nice to be able to just walk in and start doing something without having to clean for an hour.

Read More

House Work

Spent all day today doing housework, washing etc. I am getting twitchy, I really want to do some sewing. Had a clean out of all my fabric today. I have two tubs of "get rid of" and three tubs of keeping, but now all similar fabrics are together, should make keeping track easier. I took the get rid of tubs to Baronial meeting and managed to sell a bit of it. I will take it again next week when more people are there.

Read More

House Work

Spent most of the day doing housework. Catching up on washing etc. I really want to do some sewing.

Read More

Wedding

We went up to Cessnock staight after work. Adam had a big day running around but managed to get a few photos printed to take up to the Wedding dinner. It was a pretty casual affair at the Leagues Club. Then listening to the band until closing time. Big night.

On the way back from Cessnock this morning, we stopped in at Greenhills and checked out the new HobbySew. Got some of the new DMC linen thread. I am thinking of doing something German!

Read More

German Embroidery Held At Hannover

• Antependium, unknown
• Hanging, 13th/14th C
• Hanging with Figures (parti-coloured cotes), 13th/14th C
• Hanging with Animal Figures, Arcades and Roundals, 13th/14th C
• Hanging with Animals, 13/14th C
• Hanging with Human Figures in Quatrefoils, 13th/14th C
• Antipendium in Silk and Pearls, 14th C
• Hanging with Animals and Angels (?) in Roundals, 14th C

BTW, if anyone has any of these images in colour, I'd love to get a copy or failing that, a reference.

Read More

Stitch Success

I think I may have finally gotten my head around the plaited braid stitch. I started by doing the stitches double sized. That way I could see what was going on. But I think my imitation Japanese gold thread was too thick, I need to try it with a fine thread. I now have to work out how wide to do the braid on my jacket.

No stitching last night as we went to a party for the people at Adams work who finally got their doctorates. Was at a local bowling club, a pleasant night.

Read More

Sweetbag Stitching

I finally managed to get motivated enough to do some stitching on the sweetbag. I started the inside of one of the leaves. But I really need to do the gold plaited braid stitching first I think. I have brought as many instructions as I can to work and the materials I need to give it another go. I reckon if I manage to work it out, I am going to video myself doing it and put it up for people to see, as a tutorial! I really want to know how to do this stitch.

Read More

Lazy Day

Today was the preverbial day of rest. I was totally unmotivated and my legs and knees were paying the price for the bowing and kneeling of the previous day. I got a bit of washing done and thought alot about doing some embroidery but never managed to pick up a needle, it just seemed like too much effort! Sad really! ;-)

Read More

Royal Duties

My Baroness rang up last night and asked if I could act as a lady in waiting for Her Majesty during the Royal Visit this weekend. I said yes. I knew it would be hard work but are my poor feet complaining now!

The tourney was held in a local park and we set up the Royal area in the Rotunda. The list field was just below. Quite a good view, not that I got to see much of the fighting, too busy either running around or waiting to run around! There was a ball later in the evening, but there was enough of a gap that I decided to go home and then come back. I didn't change, as I didn't really have anything better to wear. More waiting and running around but I still had a good time, something different! Everyone seemed to enjoy the music and the dancing, which was nice.

We had a Royal Court, there were a few awards of various sorts given out and I was lucky enough to be inducted into the Order of the Lily, which is an Arts and Sciences award, so that was pretty cool. The token is a lovely enamelled medallion. I am trying to think of ways to convert it into jewellery.

Once Her Highness was gone, I beat a quick withdrawal, headed home and collapsed.

Read More

More Extant German Embroideries

Here are some embroidered German banners from the pre-1600 period:

• Banner, 15th C
• Double Headed Eagle Banner, 15th C
• Panel with Figures, 16th C
• Counted Thread Reliquary Box, 13th C
• Antependium, 13th C
• Hanging, 14th C
• Religious Banner, 15th C
• Whitework Hunting Scene, 16th C
• Hanging, 16th C
• Hanging with Mercury, 16th C
• Three Wise Men Hanging, 16th C
• Animal Hangings, 16th C
• Whitework Animals Hanging, 16th C
• Stag and Bird Hanging, 16th C
• Religious Hanging, 16th C
• Raised Work Dragon, 15th C
  

Read More

German Medieval Embroidery From Koln

Some more medieval German embroidery, this time from the collections of Koln:

• Whitework Animals, 12th C
• Lacis Fragments, 13th C
• Lacis and Heraldic Fragments, 13th C
• Counted-work Stole, 13th C
• Counted-work Stole, 13th C
• Counted-work Stole - detail, 13th C
• Brick Stitch Animal Fragment, 13th C
• Bird in Herringbone Filling Stitch Fragment, 13th C
• Figure in Herringbone Filling Stitch Fragment, 13th C
• Alb with Whitework, Counted Thread and Pleating, 13th C
• Alb with Whitework, Counted Thread and Pleating, 13th C
• Alb with Whitework, 13th C
• Alb with Whitework - detail, 13th C
• Alb with Whitework - detail, 13th C
• Aumônière Fragment, 14th C
• Aumônière Fragment, 14th C
• Counted Work Stole, 14th C
• Humerale with Counted Work Border, 14th C
• Unicorn, 14th C
• Filet Fragment, 14th C
• Bag, 14th C
• Filet Fragment, 14th C
• Counted Work Burse, 14th C
• Counted Work Burse, 14th C
• Vestment Fragment, 14th C
• Chasbuble with Appliqued Angels, 15th C
• Filet Fragment with Stitched Medallions, 15th C
  

Read More

Grey Viking Hat Complete

I finally finished the first of the grey wool Viking hats. I'd made some really basic mistakes, ie forgot about sewing order, that helps to get a nice meeting of the seams at the top. It takes about an hour to cut out, sew and finish the seams of a hat. Then add two or three hours for the tablet weaving to complete a hat. But they do look good. If you didn't want to do tablet weaving you could do some nice embroidery around the bottom for a nice effect. The other thing I am thinking of doing is making one with the seams finished in herringbone stitch. I know this was done on tunics, dresses and coats, but not sure about hats. I think it would look cool.

Read More

Recovery Day

I did very little yesterday. I've been flat chat every weekend for the last couple of months. So I decided to take it easy today. I managed to do the dishes, and a couple of loads of washing but that was it. I did a bit of sewing while watching a couple of episodes of Firefly. Adam went to his brothers place for BBQ, but I stayed home. Just needed chill out time.

We didn't get out of bed until late today. So leisurely lunch over at Club Phoenix and then some food shopping, a couple of DVD's from Blockbuster and I had to drop some stuff at our Baronial meeting. Then back home and tea at a friends place.

Read More

WWE RAW Wrestlemania Revenge - Newcastle

The show was great. Had a bit of a hassle with some psycho chick trying to get into a fight. Just ignored her. The matches were good, only a couple of dead ones. The main event, 6 man tag team - Benoit, Y2J and Batista vs Edge, Ric Flair and Triple H. Really good match, I even have to admit that Triple H was OK.

Read More

Gmail Accounts - Sign Up Here

If you would like a Gmail account, please leave your email address in the comment section of this post. Current storage is 2gb and counting - literally, check out the storage counter on the main page.

Read More

Auslan Lessons

We had our first "formal" Auslan lesson last night. Last week was more of a get to know you session. We did basics, fingerspelling, numbers, greetings and responses etc. I need to practice. I think we are doing OK.

But this means no sewing updates, as we were straight out the door after dinner to lessons so no sewing. I am planning on re-mounting my sweetbag project onto the new more period frames I got at Festival. I will post a picture when done so you can see the frame. I need to do that next week as we are having a Royal visit next weekend and I would like to get it done for that.

Busy weekend a head, starting tonight with the wrestling! And then birthday party tomorrow night.

Read More

Tablet Woven Hatband

I finished the tablet woven hatband. It took about 5 hours to do, including set up, which takes ages. I'm pretty happy with how it turned out. Now I just need to get the had finished off. I hate being so close and having to wait to buy one skein of wool. I am stocking up on the weekend.

Read More

German Whitework and Wool Embroidery

Some examples of German whitework embroidery. Links are to quite large image files.

• Antependium, 13th C
• Antependium, detail, 13th C
• Antependium, detail, 13th C
• Antepeddium, detail, 13th C
• Hanging, 14th C
• Altar Cloth, 14th C
• Altar Cloth, 14th C
• Altar Cloth, 14th C
• Altar Cloth, 14th C
  
• Altar Cloth detail, 14th C
• Altar Cloth detail, 14th C
• Altar Cloth detail, 14th C

There are also some items worked in coloured silks and wools. The images are in black and white.

• Hanging, 14th C
• Hanging, detail, 14th C
• Hanging, 14th C
• Hanging, 14th C
• Hanging, 14th C
• Hanging, 14th C
• Elizabeth Hanging A, 14th C
• Elizabeth Hanging B, 14th C
• Elizabeth Hanging C, 14th C
• Hanging, 15th C
• Hanging, 15th C
• Hanging, 15th C
  

Read More

More on Hats and Wrestling

Alessandra: I am a woman of many interests. I was a huge wrestling fan in the early eighties, then it disappeared from the TV. I tried to resist when we got Foxtel, but the draw was too strong and I started watching again. Glad to see Taker won, but the Batista victory was the one I wanted - I'd go for anyone that beats Triple H!!

As far as the hat goes, I believe it's the same pattern as the one used by Elspeth, but I have managed to miss her Collegia at Festival two years in a row, so I can't say for sure! But it's pretty much the standard Viking hat pattern. Soooo easy to make.

I was going to make another one last night, but the draw of the tablet weaving was too strong, so I started a band for the hat. I can't finish the hats yet as I don't have any grey wool to do the seam finishes, so I am doing the band instead. I am taking hat kits to work and doing them at lunch. I can sew a hat (the six main pieces) in a lunch time (1 hr). So I should have about half a dozen done by the weekend.

Read More

New Embroidery Online at V and A

As with all items at the V and A, you have to search individually for each one to get the info page and the large image. Use the numbers next to the item to search the V and A Images Archive:

• Men's Polychrome Night Cap (early 17th Century) (search for 2016-1899)
• German Whitework Hanging (16th Century) (T.126-1931)
• Polychrome Slips (16th C) (CIRC.748 to B, D to F, I, J-1925)

Read More

Viking Hats

I started making my long planned Viking Hats last night. I got one finished while I was watching Wrestlemania XXI. I can't say its the best Wrestlemania ever, most of the matches were pretty ordinary, but there were a couple of good matches, and seeing Rowdy Roddy Piper again was a blast, especially teamed up with Stone Cold Steve Austin. And since we are going to see RAW on Friday night, watching it was pretty much obligatory.

Back to the hats. They are 6 basic pieces, sewn together. I am using an old grey blanket I got from the Op-Shop. I will be putting tablet woven bands around the brim. I will give them to the Baroness to then give out. I might keep one for myself as well! I should have image of the hat to post tomorrow, although it might be without the band, I haven't gotten one of them yet.

Read More

Back to Work

First day back at work after a two week break. I hate work. But it pays the bills. I haven't been doing too much sewing, been away and then catching up. I hope to get the LOG pouches finished and posted. Then I can start doing some more sewing and get back on track. I really want to get the blackwork shirt done.

Read More

Monthly Tourney and Dress

Today was our monthly tourney. I got the dress finshed, find picture below. I didn't do anything, I actually just sat and watched the fighting. Joclyn gave me a tablet woven band she made after the collegia I did on tablet weaving. So cool. I plan to put it on a Viking style hat, which hopefully we can make a few more of and give to the Baroness to give out. So far most of the stuff I've given her as been girly type stuff, I wanted to make something she could give out to the guys. I am going to try and make the hat tonight, they are very quick to make up and a great way to use old blankets, the more felted the better.

Read More

Mordenvale WWW Outfit

I put off the sewing all morning. I just wanted to bludge. I've been on holidays for nearly two weeks and been flat chat. Just no down time. I don't feel like I've had a holiday. But I eventually got to the sewing at about 2pm. I am doing the quick way, no overlocking the edges, no finishing seams. I will only be wearing the outfit a couple of days a year so I figure it should still last. The dresss was finshed by about 5pm. I then had a break for tea and finally at about 7.30pm I started the hat. I wanted to trim the dress with yellow tape but they didn't have enough at Spotlight, so I figured a yellow hat would help balance out the colours. I found instructions on the web in a couple of places for a Tudor flat cap. I managed to make it work and I am quite pleased with the outfit. I will be wearing it tomorrow so I will post a picture then.

Read More

Auslan Lessons Start

Had a pretty quiet day yesterday. I went to Spotlight to get some fabric to make a red and green dress for Sunday Tourney. No yellow trim but I can add that later. Also had to pick up some stuff at our bus drivers place, left over from Festival. Then last night Adam and I had our first Auslan lesson. Auslan in Australian Sign Language. I've always wanted to learn it and now that Jess is around, it's a good excuse to learn. I don't think we did too bad.

Read More