Silver Bells and Cockle Shells...

[attack_laurel]

Wow - I really haven't felt like writing recently.

Don't worry, for those of you that have friended me recently, I will be picking up the pace soon. Today, for instance.

We had a lovely weekend down at the farm - and we'll be going down next weekend to do more drywall in the garage, mow, and do sundry bits and pieces as needed. If anyone wants to

Comments

[silverluz]

Oh dear, that's gorgeous. Don't take this the wrong way, but I hope I never get smitten with this time period, because then I might be inspired to try something similar, in which case it might dominate the rest of my life as the Unfinished Object of DOOM. I greatly admire your perseverance for such a large project.

[tattycat]

I'm heartened by your comments on gilt thread. I picked up a load of it at Pennsic (for pasomano work, not embroidery), and I've been eyeing it nervously.

You do such gorgeous work. Marvelous.

[attack_laurel]

It's just patience - don't be afraid of the gilt!

(har, har,har.)

Seriously, though - it just requires a gentle hand (and kiss your manicure goodbye, if you have one - the metal scratches polish up something wicked). It's stiff and likes to bend, but it's not impossible by any means.

[cathgrace]

It's lovely, and so different then I thought you were going to do (i.e. the fill stitches.) I am excited to see your updates!

Paul and I will be around next weekend, we are doing the flooring in the sewing room this week, and we will probably be ready for a change by the weekend if you don't mind having us come help and visit.

[attack_laurel]

Are you kidding?! We'd love for you guys to come!

(and not just because you're good at drywall.)

We'll be there from Thursday night through to Monday, so give us a call, or e-mail, or something. :)

We'd love to see you guys.

[historicfashion]

That's so beautiful. Your patience is inspiring and I can't wait to see how it turns out.

Don't want to rain on your parade but there are hand-embroidered jackets pre-dating your 1st. In the UK I've seen or know of 2 coloured ones, 3 one-colour jackets (1 very coarse so maybe it doesn't count!), 1 in black silk with gold and 2 metallic (1 silver, 1 amazing silver-gilt by a Scots embroiderer). There's a couple more but I don't know if they pre-date you and I don't know if they're all hand-worked. All the ones above are from 80s to 2000 though. They don't tend to wear them much outdoors and most events are outdoors so there aren't many photos online. And some were worked by embroiderers not re-enactors so they're never worn just exhibited.

The only pictures I found is this one (scroll down) from the 90s.

[attack_laurel]

It's very beautiful - I'd argue that it's a bodice, not a jacket, but that would be nit-picking, wouldn't it? :)

My claim was that mine was entirely hand-done. I wish there were more pictures, though, since I looked and looked while I was working on mine.
Oh, and no parade to be rained on - mine is my first, and that's all that really matters to me. :)

[historicfashion]

She's tucked it in like the Laton portrait I think. It's all hand-sewn, unboned and has the hem with insets too.

Like you say it's the personal achievement that's important. And yours is a real achievement worth celebrating. First time I reproduced a tablet-woven braid I felt like Janet Arnold! Then-boyfriend just said "Hmm. Eight inches of woolly luggage tape. Great."

[attack_laurel]

Hee! No matter what it is, making something yourself, for yourself, is a life-affirming experience. :)

[pinkleader]

Ohh.. Shiney!

I attempted more Plimoth Jacket proselytizing at the Pennsic A&S Display. :) I hope sales from Thistle Threads goes up soon.

[attack_laurel]

Well, I just ordered more stuff from them... :)

[countess_e]

Yes, you did, and thank you!

[pinkleader]

No problem! It was fun to chat with so many folks. Many came up to say they had worked on it too a couple of times, and some had never heard of it and were true new converts.