Project Diary

The Embroidery pattern draft

Here is the pattern I have drafted for the hose.
The Dilema? I think this draft is relatively true to the original. It’s not professionally embroidered. I keep fighting the urge to clean it up, making it more symetrical than the original. (I’ve already done that a tidbit.) So, ideas? Shall I get out the ruler [...]

Lace on Hold

Well, the lace is on hold for now. I’ve determined that I need a different pillow. The Roll pillow that I borrowed is made of straw. Problem 1 – It’s hard to stick in the pins and they keep bending. Problem 2  – The pins aren’t securely held by the straw and when I tension [...]

I LOVE Internet videos!

I learned something new today! Have I mentioned that I’m a beginning bobbin lacer? Silk is slippery on the bobbins and while I’ve practiced with silk, it’s been a heavier weight and twist which while still slippery, is not nearly as slippery as the stuff I’m trying to use now. It took me an hour [...]

The Thread Arrived, Project Begun

Well, the thread arrived last week and I’m very disappointed that it’s not what I wanted. I don’t know if I orderred the wrong size or they just sent the wrong thing. What they sent was a flat silk, not a twist and it was extremely fine. If you embroider, it’s like soie platte. Anyway, [...]

Documentation

I’ve been working on the documentation. My three main sources so far are Patterns of Fashion #4, Queen Elizabeth’s Wardrobe Unlock’d and the Tudor Tailor. I have some other minor resources on history of dress accessories and history of underclothing that I’m considering using. I’ve also come across some nice links online that I thought I’d pass along…

Bobbin Lace Pattern

This is my version of the pattern.
Tonight I redrew the pattern and highlighted it in 4 colors to make the process easier to follow. (no these are not the colors of the soon to arrive threads) I’ve got the pattern pinned to the pillow now and am anxiously awaiting the threads.

Bobbin Lace Threads

I ordered the silk I want from Devere Yarns. The bobbin lace for this piece will be a four color lace, two of the “colors” being gold and silver metallic. I opted to use a metallic Lurex wrapped silk floss for the metallics rather than use sterling silver and 2% gold threads which are available on the market and not entirely out of my price range. So why not go for the good stuff?

Elizabethan Drawers

This is the style of Drawers I plan to do. The embroidery and bobbin lace will be identicle to the Hose I’m currently working on. Presently, I have them patterned and cut out and ready to assemble.

16th C. Elizabethan Hose

My current project is a matching pair of Elizabethan Hose and Drawers, embroidered and trimmed in bobbin lace. I’ve decided to do the hose first, my original goal was to have the hose completely done by December 5th (Magna Faire) to be entered in the regional Arts & Sciences competition. However, it took me much longer than I planned to figure out how to do the bobbin lace pattern and I’ve had to adjust my plan. At the very least I hope to have some yardage of the bobbin lace done to enter by December 5th.

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