cross-stitch-msg - 4/14/19 Period and SCA cross-stitch. NOTE: See also the files: embroidery-msg, emb-linen-msg, emb-frames-msg, tapestries-msg, p-x-stitch-art, emb-blackwork-msg, linen-msg, sewing-tools-msg. ************************************************************************ NOTICE - This file is a collection of various messages having a common theme that I have collected from my reading of the various computer networks. Some messages date back to 1989, some may be as recent as yesterday. This file is part of a collection of files called Stefan's Florilegium. These files are available on the Internet at: http://www.florilegium.org I have done a limited amount of editing. Messages having to do with separate topics were sometimes split into different files and sometimes extraneous information was removed. For instance, the message IDs were removed to save space and remove clutter. The comments made in these messages are not necessarily my viewpoints. I make no claims as to the accuracy of the information given by the individual authors. Please respect the time and efforts of those who have written these messages. The copyright status of these messages is unclear at this time. If information is published from these messages, please give credit to the originator(s). Thank you, Mark S. Harris AKA: THLord Stefan li Rous Stefan at florilegium.org ************************************************************************ From: habura at vccnw12.its.rpi.edu (Andrea Marie Habura) Newsgroups: rec.org.sca Subject: Re: X-Stitch? When was it period? Date: 8 Jun 1993 13:16:29 GMT Organization: Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY Cross-stitch: The earliest example of cross-stitch of which I am aware is some parts of the Syon Cope, which is 14th century. That isn't to say that the form wasn't used earlier, merely that it's the earliest firm date I have. It appears with surprising frequency in heraldic embroideries. I have no idea of what Russians were doing for embroidery in 1000 AD. I do know that the Germans were doing mostly whitework and applique, with some freehand embroidery, by 1200. I wonder, since part of Russia was under Scandinavian influence at the time, whether it wouldn't be more productive to look into what the Norse cultures were doing. And, since I've wandered out of my specialty, I'll sign off. Alison MacDermot From: Joyce Newsgroups: rec.org.sca Subject: Re: X-Stitch? When was it period? Date: 11 Jun 1993 21:48:04 GMT Organization: Whitehead Institute Andrea Marie Habura, habura at vccnw12.its.rpi.edu writes: >Cross-stitch: The earliest example of cross-stitch of which I am aware is >some parts of the Syon Cope, which is 14th century. That isn't to say that >the form wasn't used earlier, merely that it's the earliest firm date I have. >It appears with surprising frequency in heraldic embroideries. The Germans (in Saxony and Westphalia, at least) were using long-armed cross-stitch in the 14th century. Note: I can't remember seeing our modern version of cross-stitch used in the Middle Ages, just long-armed cross stitch. Joyce jmiller at genome.wi.mit.edu Organization: University of Maine System Date: Fri, 1 Apr 1994 09:39:17 EST From: Lisa A. M. Tyson Newsgroups: rec.org.sca Subject: European Cross Stitch Catalog Jan McEwen posted a request on rec.crafts.textiles to find cross stitch patterns for two medieval ladies published in Cross Stitch Country Crafts Jan/Feb '90 and Sept/Oct '91. I received a new catalog yesterday which I believe offers these patterns. The catalog is by Minnie Wisdom Needlework Collection 419 Correas Street Half Moon Bay, CA 94019 send $2.00 for the catalog I was very surprised that I received my catalog so quickly (about a week! They carry European X Stitch and needlework in many different themes. They carry samplers, Camelot Castle designs (I highly recommend Laarne and Chillon- they are spectacular when completed!), and many English cottages which are quite charming. Aside from a few expensive kits, their prices are average for a charted design ( around $ 5.00 ). I am sure that the photocopied catalog does not begin to do most of these designs justice. I would appreciate any correspondence regarding medieval embroidery designs and sources. I have recently begun exploring blackwork embroidery and am working up my courage to try something on linen. Yours In Service, Lady Brynn (Lisa A. Tyson) Organization: University of Maine System Date: Sun, 22 Jan 1995 14:24:26 EST From: Newsgroups: rec.org.sca Subject: Camelot Designs "Windows" series: Roses design I just picked up a striking castle design chart from my local cross stitch shop. The design is a castle with beautiful shading in browns, surrounded by a border incorporating red roses. To the best of my knowledge this is a relatively new design in the last year offered by Camelot Designs (I'm somewhat of a fan of their castles). What I found appealing about this particular chart is first the visual impact of the reds, greens and browns in the chart photo. The amount of background white space gives the chart a clean appearance rather than merely appearing unfinished (as I find many charts). Simple bordering and a relatively small scale of shading in the roses and castle make this a reasonable project for even a relatively new cross stitcher. This chart in kit form may be ordered from (I believe) New Stitchery catalog (don't have any of my materials with me at the moment). If you just want the chart you can ask at your local shop or contact: Camelot Designs PO Box 9432 Tulsa, Oklahoma 74157 The chart asks for 14 colors of DMC floss and 2 Kreinik Metallics. The model is stitched on 14 Count white Aida. A nicer matting and framing than shown in the chart photo would really make this a winner! Can anyone tell that I've just started this one? There are also two others in the series: Jonquils and Tulips. Guess I'll be back at the cross stitch store for those this summer. They also have the Historic Castle series offering: Chillon Neuschwanstein Carfiff Eilean Donan Anif Conwy Laarne Saumur Alcazar Egeskov The Borderlands series (fantasy) Merlins Retreat Ice Castle Atlantis Rainy Day Castle Sand Castle Castle in the Wildwoods The Skylights series includes: Moonrise The Twins Sunset Storms End Winter's Orb Tempest (lightning striking behind a castle if I remember) The StoryTime series has: Sleeping Beauty's Castle The Gingerbread House The Shoe Rapunzel's Tower/Once Upon a Time(I just bought this one too) Snow Queen's Castle The Emerald City of Oz They also sell "I Love Castles" Sampler chart (it's ok). Most of these designs sell for $5.00 or less. I have two of the historic castles, Chillon and Laarne. I consider them a challenge (mostly of my patience) because of the large amount of shading in a large area of the work. I am currently working on Laarne and I expect I'll still be on Laarne in 1996 ( I'm slow and haveother projects I cycle through). I have no doubt the final product will be worth it and I will enjoy working on it in the meanwhile. Camelot Designs is worth looking into for those interested in medieval theme cross stitch charts. For those interested in designing their own tapestries in a true medieval style, some of these little charts might give you an easy design idea if you want to incorporate the 'small castle on the hill' in the background of your tapestry. It shouldn't pull the focus away from your foreground figures or be too much outside of the style used. (You can see what project I'm planning in my next life.....) Enjoy... Lisa Tyson ("Lady Brynn" MacLachlan in the S.C.A., Shire of Endewearde ( Central Maine ) Kingdom of the East ) From: PJLR92A at prodigy.com (Shawn Cahoon) Newsgroups: rec.org.sca Subject: Re: needlwork/renaissance question (fwd) Date: 3 Jun 1995 06:27:29 GMT There is modern style cross stitch on several of the samplers in the Victoria and Albert museum that were done in period. The one that I recall most clearly is a sampler done by Jane Bostocke in 1598, although there are some with earlier dates. The museum has a book out that you can get fairly easily for about $15. It is called the Victoria and Albert Museum Textile Collection and is published by Castle Publishing. It's an oversize softback with some splendid color photographs of the pieces that they have. - Winalee From: habura at vccnw14.its.rpi.edu (Andrea Marie Habura) Newsgroups: rec.org.sca Subject: Re: needlwork/renaissance question (fwd) Date: 5 Jun 1995 14:04:21 GMT Organization: Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute For Sheryl: Well, actually, there's two ways of answering this question. Was there cross stitch being done in England in 1550? I would be astonished if it was not. I have in my files one (secular) example of cross stitch from the 13th century, another from the 14th or 15th c. (depends on which expert you believe), and a few from the 17th. I have inventory records, as opposed to actual photos, of a few more. So, I'd be awfully hard pressed to claim that there could be no 16th c. examples. :) Was cross-stitch used *on clothing* in 16th c. England? I don't know. I will say that I have not seen it used in any of the portraits I've studied from that era. The favored embroidered ornament for outer clothing (gowns, doublets, etc.) seems to have been laid gold cord and other forms of goldwork, with a generous helping of pearls and gems. I seem to recall some embroidered silk and gold posies in Janet Arnold's book, too. The favored ornament for things like shirts seems to have been blackwork, gold embroidered or woven bands, and some smocking. If it were me, I'd probably go for laid gold cord, because it's a fast, simple technique that works up prettily. Of course, it is possible that cross stitch *was* used on clothing in this era. My area of specialization is about 200 years earlier, and there was a large change in English embroidery technique between the two eras; I don't consider myself expert in 16th c. embroidery. At any rate, I hope this was helpful. Alison MacDermot *Ex Ungue Leonem* From: donna at kwantlen.bc.CA (Donna Hrynkiw) Newsgroups: rec.org.sca Subject: Re: MEDIEVAL CROSS STITCH SAMPLERS? Date: 21 Jul 1995 20:07:18 -0400 Avid Cross Stitchers -- BEWARE! Cross-stitchery as we know it today (ie. a mosaic of different-coloured stitches) is very modern. Excruciatingly modern as a matter of fact. LIKE LATE 1900's MODERN. (Do you think I got my point across? I think so...) On the other hand, if you still want to do the cross stitch, it was known in period and sometimes used in a similar manner. There are quite a few -period- graphed patterns suitable for cross-stitching. The great majority are meant to be worked in a single colour. Why I have in my hands this very moment (well, on the desk beside me) a brand new facsimile of a medieval pattern book. It's called "German Renaissance Patterns for Embroidery -- A Facsimile Copy of Nicolas Bassee's New Modelbuch of 1568". (ISBN 0-9633331-4-3, 1994, Curious Works Press, 107 RR 620 South, #11-E, Austin Texas 78734). A lovely little book; tons of period patterns to delight and entice: spanish work, lacis, counted satin stitch, and couched cordwork. Please, please! Leave the cross-stitch dragons and castles at home and try out some REAL medieval patterns. It's extremely satisfying. A pattern to entice you (from plate 89): XX XX XX XX XXXX XXXXX XXXX XX XX XX XX XXXX XXXXX X XXX XXX XXX XXX XXXXXX XXX XXXXXX XXX XXX XXX XXX XXXXXX XXX XX XX XX X XX XX XX XX X XX XX XX XX X XX XX XX XX X XX X XXX X XX XX X XX XX X XXX X XX XX X XX XX XX X XX XX XX XX XXXXX XX XX XX XX X XX XX XX XX XXXXX XXX XX X XX XXX XX XXX XX X XX XXX XX XXX XX X XX XXX XX XXX XX X XX XX XXXXX XX XX XX XX X XX XX XX XX XXXXX XX XX XX XX X XX XX X XX XX X XXX X XX XX X XX XX X XXX X XX X XX XX XX XX X XX XX XX XX X XX XX XX XX X XX XXXXX XXX XXXXXX XXX XXX XXX XXX XXXXXX XXX XXXXXX XXX XXX XXX XXXX XXXXX XXXX XX XX XX XX XXXX XXXXX XXXX XX XX XX (Stand back from your terminal a ways and take a look. It's actually very pretty.) Elizabeth "E.B." Braidwood --- Mistress Elizabeth Braidwood donna at kwantlen.bc.ca From: habura at vccnw02.its.rpi.edu (Andrea Marie Habura) Newsgroups: rec.org.sca Subject: Re: MEDIEVAL CROSS STITCH SAMPLERS? Date: 27 Jul 1995 19:22:56 GMT Organization: Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Well, just to be clear: there are medieval examples of polychrome embroidery in which cross-stitch is the only form of embroidery employed. The ones I have found are not "samplers" per se; one is a bag, the other trim. Both use the different colors of thread to make pictures--coats of arms in both cases--and in both cases all of the ground fabric is covered with stitches. The medieval name for this form, according to EGI Christie, is _opus pluvinarium_. Alison MacDermot *Ex Ungue Leonem* Newsgroups: rec.org.sca From: um157 at freenet.Victoria.BC.CA (Lucy Porter) Subject: Re: MEDIEVAL CROSS STITCH SAMPLERS? Organization: The Victoria Freenet Association (VIFA), Victoria, B.C., Canada Date: Fri, 28 Jul 1995 14:34:11 GMT In a previous article, nutmeg at clubmet.metrobbs.com (Regina Townsend) says: >I guess it depends on how late you define OOP. I have seen illustrations >of polychrome cross stitch samplers that are Dutch and English in origin, >dated to 1615-1630ish. I'm sorry that I don't have titles or other My lady, I have something in my hand that will interest you. In the book "Embroiderers" by Kay Stanisland, part of the Medieval Craftsmen line from the University of Toronto press ISBN 0-8020-6915-0, there is a period cross stitch sampler. It is on page 64, and the caption reads "Plate 71 Unfinished German sampler worked in coloured silks on linen in cross, long-armed cross, two sided Italian cross and double running stitches. The crucifix was a fairly common motif in early sixteenth-century continental samplers; alphabets were less usual." The text says that it's dated to the time of the earliest pattern books, 1523-1540. The picture is pretty good. With a magnifying glass I was able to count stitches to make diagrams. It includes a crucifix motif that has been shaded, a detailed lady, a Mary-Queen-of-Heaven, two different Pelicans-in-their-piety, lots of nifty borders and fills and an alphabet. Unfortunately, the picture is in black and white, which means you have no clue as to what colours are used. But that's relatively minor. I hope you can locate the book. It's got lots of other neat stuff in it. Of course, if you anyone is interested, I could send the copies of the patterns I made from the sampler... Lady Aliena Searover, Shire of Seagirt, Kingdom of An Tir Lucy Porter, Victoria, BC, Canada From: donna at kwantlen.bc.CA (Donna Hrynkiw) Newsgroups: rec.org.sca Subject: colored, patterned cross-stitch Date: 27 Jul 1995 15:07:13 -0400 Organization: The Internet Mistress Elaina asked me to post this for her. I am pleased to be able to do so. Elizabeth donna at kwantlen.bc.ca ---------- Forwarded message ---------- Date: Thu, 27 Jul 1995 11:09:04 -0600 (MDT) From: Mary Morman Subject: colored, patterned cross-stitch mistress elaina sends greetings unto mistress elizabeth, my lady, while visiting in england four years ago i saw a special exhibit of embroidery at hardwick hall. the embroidery was late sixteenth century work done by, or under the direction of, countess bess of hardwick. the usual hardwick hall exhibit has massive amounts of tapestry work and applique on bedhangings, curtains, etc. this special exhibit had bed linen and table linen. there were edges displayed of what i assume were sheets or even pillow cases (are pillow cases period?) that had lovely edging patterns done in cross-stitch patterns of flowers and leaves. the colors were mainly pastels in pinks and blues and greens. whether they were pastels when worked is another matter entirely - 400 years ago they might have been very bright. but they were definitely cross-stich, and definitely flower pictures. at the moment, i have e-mail acapacity, and the ability to read the rialto, but not to post. if you would be willing to post this message for me, i would be very grateful. yours in service, ELAINA elaina de sinistre * * * currently outlandish mary morman * * * memorman at oldcolo.com From: connect at aol.com (CONNECT) Newsgroups: rec.org.sca Subject: Re: colored, patterned cross-stitch Date: 28 Jul 1995 10:14:27 -0400 May I suggest a book entitled An Anonymous Woman -- Her work wrought in the 17th century? ISBN# 0-9633331-1-9 Written by Kathleen Epstein. This book is about a sampler that was made in the early 1600s, so slightly out of period. It has cross stitch, as well as other stitches on it to make the band patterns. Yours In Service, Rosalyn MacGregor of Glen Orchy Pattie Rayl of Ann Arbor, MI From: Chris Laning Newsgroups: rec.org.sca Subject: Re: colored, patterned cross-stitch Date: Fri, 28 Jul 1995 01:09:28 -0700 (PDT) I *think* that maybe what people are trying to say is that the kind of detailed, solidly packed, shaded, "realistic"-looking cross stitch is often found among X-stitch enthusiasts today is the type that is not "period." It's hard to say, "You know - - I mean like THIS stuff," since e-mail is (still) mostly just text. Perhaps Mistress Elizabeth can tell me if I've got the right concept here. If you look at Victorian Berlin wool work, you have (say) a bouquet of roses. Each rose petal may be worked in several shades of red, from light to dark, in one closely packed mass of stitches. Or you have a cross-stitch "picture," perhaps Santa Claus climbing down a chimney (modern version); either a literal picture to be framed or hung on the wall, or a self-contained little "scene" to be featured on an apron bib or some such. *These* kinds of concepts are what mark it as "non-period," not whether they use several colors. My impression is that mediaeval and Renaissance clothing embroidery, in particular, was mostly thought of as "flat patterns," such as borders, geometric designs and repeated florals. The "picture" concept was, I think, more often done in tent stitch (i.e. needlpoint) for table carpets, cushion covers, et cetera, and even so the idea of working a "painting" or "drawing" of a more-or-less realistic "scene" with people, animals, trees, hills, sunsets, background, rocks, furniture, et cetera was more Renaissance than mediaeval. (Though there are certainly many "period" examples.) The "sampler" style of picture has more the air of "here's a house, now what shall I put next to it? Let's do the dog. Oh dear, he's almost as big as the house. How about a rose bush on the other side?" Even when the components were assembled into "pictures" made entirely of cross-stitch (a later development) they look like someone took one motif from here and one from there and just arranged them nicely, without trying to make it look "real." I'll shut up now, just in case I turn out *not* to know what I'm talking about... By the way, two questions: (1) I'm contemplating doing a piece of "turkey work" (short pile embroidery on canvas). I have instructions, but is there any way to estimate how much yarn it takes? I'm picking up mine mostly in thrift stores, when I see colors that look "vegetal" enough. "Christian Mary Ashley," a.k.a. Chris Laning Davis, California From: diva at cutlass.pgh.pa.us (Diana Slivinska) Newsgroups: rec.org.sca Subject: Re: Carolingian Count Thread Book Date: 28 Aug 1995 15:29:06 GMT Organization: Pittsburgh Community Network daniel fox (foxd at silver.ucs.indiana.edu) wrote: : Can anyone give me the address and price for ordering this. Both the : flyer they sent me and the other sources I've had for this information : have disappeared. hi there! i bought my copy of "The New Carolingian Modelbook" at war. It is published by: The Outlaw Press 160 Washington SE, Suite 43 Albuquerque, NM 87108-2749 It lists for $24.95, and is well worth it! just in case you need it, the ISBN # is 0-9642082-2-9 happy stitching, Giulietta di Venezia From: nostrand at mathstat.yorku.ca (Solveig Throndardottir) Newsgroups: rec.org.sca Subject: Re: Carolingian Count Thread Book Date: Tue, 29 Aug 1995 06:25:43 -0500 Organization: DeMoivre Institute of Mathematical Sciences Noble Cousins! For those interested in reaching the publisher of the Carolingian Pattern Book by Countess Ianthe (Queen of the East at Pennsic VI), the publisher does have email. It is outlaw at rt66.com (Brother Crimthann) Incidentally, I beleave that standard bulk order discounts apply. Your Humble Servant Solveig Throndardottir Amateur Scholar From: outlaw at rt66.com (Robert A. Goff) Newsgroups: rec.org.sca Subject: Re: Carolingian Count Thread Book Date: Thu, 31 Aug 1995 10:38:34 -0700 Organization: The Outlaw Press dkoiman at aol.com (DKoiman) wrote: >If it is true that there will be discounted prices for bulk buying of this >much anticipated book, We will offer 36% discount off the cover price for orders of 5 or more. <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Robert Goff, Head Scribe and Vellum Scraper, The Outlaw Press (505)266-3057 - outlaw at rt66.com - http://www.rt66.com/outlaw/ <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> From: Nancy Berman Newsgroups: alt.heraldry.sca Subject: Re: Devices Done Cross-Stitched Date: Mon, 16 Sep 1996 10:35:12 -0700 Organization: Disney Quest To Anais Shadowhawk, We do a lot of needlework in Caid involving displays of our devices on everything from garb to the backs of our chairs. I personally have tried graphing on paper and using the "Lil Mimic" grid overlay. I have yet to scan in a drawing of the device onto PhotoShop and print out a colored chart, but I suspect that is the sanest way to go! Good luck! P.S. You might try contact Mistress Eowyn Amberdrake (EowynA at aol.com) who is very knowledgeable in these things. Duchess Natalya de Foix Date: Sat, 14 Jun 1997 10:58:29 -0400 (EDT) From: Carol at Small Churl Books To: sca-arts at raven.cc.ukans.edu Subject: cross stitch on uneven weave fabric The shirt with the rectangular cross stitches, due to fabric that was NOT even-weave, was shown on page 37 of "Needlework, An Illustrated History", a book by Harriet Bridgeman and Elizabeth Drury, editors, Paddington Press, 1978. The original is in the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, and is silk (dark blue) on linen. I was very excited to see it on display, in a special display of clothing through the centuries, as I took the columbines on my device from it. I wonder how many other period pieces are on uneven fabric. Enlarging by photocopying, counting off a block of stitches, say 6x6 or larger, and measuring would probably turn up a lot of rectangular cross stitch, I think. It was not at all obvious to me that these were uneven until my charting had me at my wits end, estimating stitch numbers by distance when I could not see individual threads, and getting impossible results. Realizing they weren't square, and estimating, and voila! It got charted. Lady Carllein Date: Sat, 28 Jun 1997 14:23:23 -0500 (CDT) From: Heidi J Torres To: ansteorra at eden.com Subject: Re: 12-steps On Fri, 27 Jun 1997, Beth Zimmerman wrote: > Would you like to borrow my Complete Anachronist on 14th & 15th > Century German Counted Thread Embroidery?? Not that I woul want to add > to your obsession, but since I share it I wouldn't mind passing it on. Oh, that is such a good pamphlet!!!! Do it, Zina! Take her up on the offer. I am just finishing a pouch done in that style and I'm really pleased with it. I will say this tho: the German Counted Work is both easier and harder than regular CCS. The "counting" can be harder -- yes, I've done a lot of pulling out and re-doing. Also, you need to do this on linen rather than Aida. However, the results are so *rich* and it just looks *so* period that it's thrilling watching it take shape. On the booklet itself, the documentation is excellent! Especially how the author examined all the colors and gives you DMC alternatives. I didn't follow the color recommendations exactly -- I always have to change things a little -- but I did use colors that he documents. The result looks so *real*. Personally, I prefer to create the bolder styles of embroidery to the really delicate ones -- not that I don't adore and admire blackwork, whitework, etc. and wish I could do it, but this type of embroidery is sort of a combination of both. I urge anyone who enjoys needlework -- either bold or delicate -- to give it a try. Mari ferch Rathyen Date: Thu, 31 Dec 1998 02:26:55 -0500 From: Karen at stierbach.atlantia.sca.org (Larsdatter, Karen ) To: "Jennifer Thompson" Cc: sca-arts at raven.cc.ukans.edu Subject: Re: Cross stitch and other stitches.... Joia wrote: > I am pretty much brand new to the SCA and I have recently > started learning cross stitch. By doing research I do know > that croos stitch as it is known now is not what was used > in the middle ages. I'd like to note (for the record) that cross stitch is indeed period, was done in figural multicolored patterns with shading, and was done from mass produced printed paper patterns. What part of "as it is known now" is problematic? The use of DMC threads, or the combination of cross stitch and backstitching (neither of which are really essential to modern cross stitch IMO)? ;) Let me know if you'd like more info. I have a paper (it's online, but the server is down at the moment) with information on period cross stitch embroidery, and I can certainly e-mail a copy (or find someone who has the Summer 1998 issue of "Tournaments Illuminated"). > I found references to long armed cross stitch. I'm not sure how to do > this or how it was used. There are a couple of different cross stitches called long armed cross stitch. The most basic one is demonstrated at: http://online.anu.edu.au/english/jems/sharon/stitches/longarm.html They were used as multicolored surface embroidery (as is the case with a 15th century German example at http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/Wymarc/cross.htm as well as a pillow and furnishing band at the V&A [see "The Victoria & Albert Museum's Textile Collection: Embroidery in Britain from 1200 to 1759" by King & Levey] or a pillow in the textile collection at the Art Institute of Chicago [see "Textiles in the Art Institute of Chicago" by Mayer-Thurman]) or in some cases as a single-color band to separate bands on a band sampler. > I'm also interested in trying blackwork but I need a > little help. Any advice would be deeply appreciated. Practice is good for blackwork. Lots of practice. I start newcomers out by drawing the patterns to follow onto Aida, so they get the gist of how to do the basic idea of a reversable embroidery along a design, gradually making the design more complex ("inny" bits and "outie" bits) and then just giving a paper pattern to work from ... but YMMV with that cockamamie technique ;) You'll find some blackwork links at http://moas.atlantia.sca.org/topics/embr.htm Feel free to write me with any questions! Another good mailing list to talk to is the Historic Needlework list (signup info is on the above page) but they DO NOT concentrate on SCA-period needlework. Karen Larsdatter NOT AN EXPERT Date: Tue, 12 Jan 1999 11:36:46 -0700 From: "J. A. Smith" To: Subject: Re: Favours From: Jennifer Thompson >I have heard many wonderful ideas for favours. I'm planning on making >one for my lord (he made me a beautiful one for Christmas). I want to >stitch some sort of horse emblem on the favour but, as I am still >inexperienced with stitchery, I need a guide to follow. > >Joia Hereweald M'lady stores such as Wal-mart and most craft based stores sell clear plastic sheets that when laid over a picture will give you the "chart" for cross=stiching any pattern. It comes in a 12,14,16,and I think 20 count. Hope this helps and good luck with your project. Lady Renna of Battersea, Caer Mithin Halle, Outlands Date: Tue, 12 Jan 1999 18:46:04 EST From: To: sca-arts at raven.cc.ukans.edu Subject: Re: Favours I may have missed what type of stitch work you were interested in doing. I also am not sure if the horse in this book is what you would be looking for. However, I have a terrific cross stitch book that people may enjoy and may help your cause. Celtic Cross Stitch 30 Alphabet, Animal and Knotwork Projects by Gail Lawther Published by Reader's Digest 1996 It's an absoloutely georgeous book with lots of color plates and good cross- stitch instructions. Sionnain Rrhyddyrch, House Evergreen Norseland Date: Thu, 18 Feb 1999 01:18:00 EST From: To: sca-arts at raven.cc.ukans.edu Subject: Re: Decorative Row Stitches [SCA] There is a way to do cross stitch that creates crosses on both sides of the peice. And cross stitch was used for decorative borders like this in period. To get crosses on both sides, make the first half of the cross in every other stich. Then work back to the beginning, crossing each half stitch. Then work across again, making the first half of the cross in the gaps you left with the first two passes. Then work your way back, crossing these stitches. You end up with crosses front and back. The Running Stitch, or Holbein Stitch, if done properly, also ends up with the back of the work being identical to the front of the work. You need a linear or geometric design, though. Again, you do it by doing every other stitch in one direction, then work backwards filling in the gaps. This is Blackwork, though Blackwork does not have to be done with black thread. I don't, off the top of my head, know of a stitch that creates crosses on the back of the work. If I find it, I'll let you know. Ealasaid To: Gleann Abhann (mail list) Subject: Re: cross-stitch patterns Posted by: "Crystyna" clusk at att.net clusk at att.net Date: Wed Jun 23, 2010 5:46 pm ((PDT)) There are even examples of shading in period cross stitch. The Oxburgh hangings are cross stitch and shaded. (The Needlework of Mary Queen of Scots by Margaret Swain, 1986, Ruth Bean Publishers, ISBN 0 903585 22 7) This is why this site refers to some patterns 'in the style of Mary' Crystyna --- In gleannabhann at yahoogroups.com, Stefan li Rous wrote: Maire said: <<< Ok, I know cross-stitch is not period, but I found these patterns and they are pretty neat. Wanted to share! >>> Thanks. But why do you say cross-stitch isn't period? The gradually shaded pictures and such are modern, but I would say that cross-stitch itself is period. Stefan Edited by Mark S. Harris cross-stitch-msg Page 2 of 14