Greetings,
Following is the report for the March 3, 2016 meeting of the Barony of Loch Salann Needleworkers Guild.
At today’s meeting, with cheesecake all around, we celebrated the birth of Mistress Bronwyn Morgan, who was kind enough to grace us with her presence on this her special day. We are grateful to her family for sharing her with us (and giving us a reason to have cheesecake). Lady Violetta was also finally able to join us again. We were so very happy to share in everyone’s presence and sorely missed those who were unable to join us.
I completed the drawn thread hems on 12 linen handkerchiefs which are intended for largesse. In consulting with our lovely Baroness Amanda de Spencer, she requested embroidery containing components of the personal arms of the kingdom baronesses for some of them as well as the baronial ermine spot on the opposite corner. In response to that request, I enlisted the aid of our kingdom Golden Wing Herald, THL Conchobhar mac Michil, who most expeditiously provided not only the descriptions of these devices but also pictures. I was truly impressed by the prompt service provided by this fine gentle as we could not move forward on this request without it. The task of completing this embroidery was accepted by 3 of our members. Their names and assigned task are, Luveday (Arnhold), Bronwyn (Sentinels Keep), Aurora (princess and soon to become queen). The remaining will either be completed by me or by others that were unable to make it to this meeting.
Today’s class: Mistress Aurora was kind enough to share her knowledge of Smocking so that those of us who are interested, will be better able to move forward with projects utilizing this technique. She also provided access to the following educational resources:
The Art of Manipulating Fabric by Collette Wolff ISBN 0-8019-8496-3
The A-Z of Sewing for Smockers by Inspirations books ISBN 0-9750920-06
The A-Z of Smocking by Inspiration books ISBN 0-957715935
Current projects:
Lady Loveday continues to progress on the medallions that will be appliquéd on her Russian Tunic. The base fabric is linen. The piece incorporates chain and back stitch with DMC cotton thread.
Mistress Bronwyn continues to work on the cuffs we are so anxiously waiting to see completed. The base fabric is 32 count Belfast linen incorporating long arm cross stitch and DMC cotton thread.
Lady Violetta is in the process of assembling the cupcover that she recently finished. The base fabric is a fine Irish linen embroidered w black silk utilizing cross stitch and a Vinciollo pattern.
Donna Aurora is reworking the assembly for a cap of maintenance , with linen base featuring a stylized pelican on a linen base utilizing back stitch for outline and split stitch fill with silk thread.
After completing the handkerchief hems, I took a few day off then began to focus on more of the stitch challenge. I’m currently in the section for drawn thread techniques and have completed a few of the stitch sections. My ground fabric for this is linen utilizing DMC cotton thread. Now that I understand the basic technique, I will backtrack to the smocking section after this section is completed and the embroidery for the remaining handkerchiefs is also finished.
Current largesse project: linen handkerchiefs with drawn thread hems and embroidered embellishment.
Current education: Stitch Challenge.
Current class taught: Smocking by Donna Aurora.
Until next time, happy stitching and may the knots be always in your favor.
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