Side one

I completed the colored embroidery on the first side of the sweet bag. I now know why the sides on extant bags tend to vary from each other- without counting, it's impossible to make things exact, plus, I may alter the shading on the second side, and some colors. Artistically, I'm mostly pleased, although I don't feel the rose is a vibrant, so I will switch with the red in the pink. I will also extend out the yellow in the center of the viola, for more effect, and maybe add a lighter shade of purple for more contrast (I do have two colors of purple in there now, but they're very similar). I used floss that I had available, so some of the colors aren't as exactly precise as I might have wanted them- but it is a good experience in working with what I have, rather than unlimited colors. This seems to me more like what would happen "in period"- color choices would be more limited than what we have today.

I may add some more motifs, because extant bags seem "busier"- but my goal end size for this one is approximately 4.5 inches square, so I want to make sure I have room for the plaited braid. I'll probably draw those lines in, and then see how much room remains. I'm also stuck on what the center base motif will be. I've seen butterflies, rabbits, birds, leaves...but I haven't found one I love.

I'm using a 32-count canvas, and doing tent stitch 1:1, which makes it a petit point, and it is BRUTAL. It is so tiny, and so time-consuming! I love the overall look, but still...

Teaching at Pennsic!

I have signed up to teach two classes at Pennsic XL this year:

1. 16th Century English Monochrome Embroidery- aka "Blackwork". This class will cover extant examples as well as techniques and characteristics that identify this art form. We will practice commonly used stitches and fills.

2. Late 16th Century English Polychrome Embroidery. We will look at extant examples, including coifs and jackets, and identify common techniques and characteristics. We may practice detached buttonhole and plaited braid stitch if desired.

Each class will be an hour long, and I requested they NOT be the same day as the A&S display, as I plan on exhibiting. I did request the 9AM- Noon spot, but we will see.

Hope to see you there!

Sweet Bag!

So, my copy of the book arrived. It's helpful, especially the finishing details at the end, describing the drawstring and tassel construction. Jacqui Carey does a nice job of describing the pieces she's looking at, but I would have liked more explanation for some of her conclusions, particularly when they conflict with "accepted" scholarship. Also, I think some of the embroidery diagrams are a bit confusing, especially when it doesn't illustrate how to start the stitch.

I decided to go with a 5 flower motif- one in each corner, and one in the center. This is found on extant sweet bags, as are the flowers I've chosen. I'm using two strands of silk floss, and the flowers are outlined and will be filled in using tent stitch. I drew the design freehand from period images, and transferred it to the fabric using a lightbox.

The same image is repeated on both sides- there is a fold on the bottom, and the sides are stitched together, so right now the top and bottom halves are opposites. I used a water-soluble pen to transfer my design, so I could alter it if I was unhappy with the placement of the motifs. In period, the design would have been inked onto the fabric.

The flowers are honeysuckle, rose, borage, pansy (viola), and a carnation (pink, gilliflower). I plan to do the borage, gilliflower, and pansy in blue and purple shades, and the rose and honeysuckle in pinks and roses.