Thursday, July 14, 2011

Motif of the week, progress

Yesterday, outside of playing with the new machine (which makes buttonholes in 30 seconds while I watch!) I worked on the motif of the week, the Celtic knotwork on the medieval coif.  Here is how we are progressing:

Disclaimers!  I am not really worried about keeping my filling even.  I am filling the knots with chain stitching, and while I would normally stress on the stitch consistency.  For this, I'm not really concerned...no real reasons why, either, lol.

I inadvertantly left my gold/mustard wool at the Western homestead so the fill is plain old DMC floss.  I am using a double strand so that the fill goes faster; the plan is to have this project done by the weekend for the Viking Village.  (And, well, it is a motif of the week, and the week is almost over ; )

Wednesday, July 13, 2011

Motif of the Week

In honor of the Viking Village this weekend, I have spent the week researching Norse embroidery and clothing styles.  Sadly, a lot of the embroidery is more involved than I would have liked for a motif of the week, but I did find some examples of motifs that slightly resembled Celtic knotwork.  This motif is more Celtic, but should dress up a Norse coif that I am making for this weekend. 

 I am using the bamboo crewel weight thread that I bought from White Wolf anf Pheonix at War Practice.  I really like hot soft the thread is and it seems to take a split stitch well, for being a larger weight thread.

I am hoping to fill in the knots with a light weight wool from Reconstructing History.  I will probably use either a split stitch or a chain stitch with the wool, as it is slightly smaller in gauge than the bamboo.  We shall see as it progresses!

Tuesday, July 5, 2011

Madcap Recap

What a whirlwind week!  Now that the world has stopped spinning so crazily, I have a moment to post and to breathe.

Due to an unforseen gas leak, things at the house were in a state of upheaval.  I am pleased to say that the house is now completely repiped! 

I also have been on a sewing adventure, making a steampunkish outfit for a dear friend.  Here is a picture of the jacket:

You have to ignore the ugly towel and duct tape around the window behind the jacket; there was a slight accident, but it is all being seen to.

So there it is, how I've spent the last week.  Now, back to embroidery!