All That Glitters.....

After a while of freehand drawing, I finally have my new coif project underway. It took me a while to design from a picture of the extent coif  which is located in a private collection in England. This is a 16 century coif embroidered in coral stitch and then has the Elizabethan loop stitch done in goldwork. The black work itself is very small work so I know is going to take a while and use a lot of gold thread to complete the looped effect.


As I'm working on this project, I decided to do a small change instead of stitching spiderweb stitches inside each of the flowers I put in beads instead. The beads I have already worked into the center of each individual design so as I embroider around them, they will fit properly. I am working this in a black silk thread a 12 ply Splendor hundred percent silk thread. I have two cards of this particular silk. I am sure I'm going to need more eventually. There was just enough pearls and glass beads to fill all the centers. I feel very fortunate that there was just the right number to give this project a dimensionality that I think will be very eye-catching.
I have as of yet to order the proper gilt gold embroidery thread. It is on my to do list and is going to be probably part of my Christmas money to spend for actual guilt thread for this project. Really want to give its true authentic glow. There is something different about true guilt thread, it has a shiny luster that you cannot get from regular DMC or other artificial Goldthreads.

 Along with the particular thread there are other features and materials for goldwork that I plan on ordering as part of my Christmas gift to myself.  I want to design a goldwork specific project for a heart on green fabric done with gold work materials and techniques. And this is a strictly personal item it is something that could be document to pull through this SCA. However I'm going to be designing the project myself so it would not be an extent version however it could be representative of goldwork materials and techniques.  I do want to say particular thank you to THL Jaqueline de Moliere of the SCA for such a wonderful course on Goldthread's and their uses. And her experiences that she was willing to share with my local embroidery group. It has truly inspired me to look into other forms of embroidery and try my hand at something new and exciting. I have received all the Royal school of needlework inspired spiral workbooks. So I have those to look up technique. As well as a received an early 12 night gift from my wonderful friend Thorvaldr of a goldwork technique book.

It's late, best ready for work in the morning. Hopefully gold fever and will not keep me up.

Regards,

Mairin