Silkwork Technique on Bishop's Cope

[Elmsley Rose]

Hi everyone :-)

 

Looking at the gold cross (two shades of gold) and also at the wings of the dragon (green and yellow), you can see that the two colours used in each case are mixed together.

There are some definite lines on the top of the top wing implying a long and short stitch approach

However, looking at the lower part of the wings, and the cross, it looks more like the two colours were 'heathered' together - ie both colours used at once in the needle. (Actually I don't know what to make of the mixture of green and yellow in the lower wing - look how it's textured)

 

What do you think? I will have a play to see which method looks best, but what is your technical opinion as to which method was used?

Thanks muchly,

Elmsley Rose

 

[Elmsley Rose]

I've been looking into 100% pure cotton velvet as opposed to silk velvet (and that's proper silk velvet, not that sneaky stuff where they sew silk into an acrylic base).

From various references on the Net and looking in my books, cotton velvet most closely approaches period velvet. It is referenced especially in use for clothes.

I would like to use the silk velvet. For it's sumptuousness.

But all those red and white 'slips' have to appliqued onto them, and a piece of kid, and all surrounded by pearl purl couching.

Do you think silk velvet will stand up to this?

What should I back it with? The standard muslim/calico (according to which country you are in)

 

Being housebound I can't get to a shop to compare and talk to the sales people. There isn't even an embroidery shop closer than $50 taxi fare away!

[Keith]

As a complete neophyte, I have found this discussion very fascinating. As someone who works in a profession that takes me into the world of death, dying, pain, confusion and anguish, it is wonderful to experience vicariously the wonders and trials of getting the right threads and fabrics to create a work of beauty. Thanks for the ride--and good luck to you.

:)

[Rachel Wright]

Might it be one colour couched with the other? You can create patterning and directional effects with couching threads, and couching always radically changes the colour of the thread being couched..

[Elmsley Rose]

This indeed will be happening - some outlining with black thread on those angled scales of the dragon's wings, used to couch down gold metal thread. :-)

[Rachel Wright]

Sounds great...!

[Elmsley Rose]

I've delayed doing this project coz of rotten health. It needs to be technically accurate - silk and goldwork. I'm doing a tent stitch project from part of a spot sampler from 1661 first ... there's a piccy at http://elmsleyrose.blogspot.com/2011/11/in-post-httpelmsleyrose.html - I'm getting the Elizabethan Range from Rennaissance Threads to do it in.

But I will blog all the design ideas for the Bishop's Cope project in my blog, and tell you guys when I do. Pretty annotated pictures :-)