Starting Another Course

Tudor And Stuart Goldwork Kit

I decided to follow another Thistle Threads Online University course. This time it is the  Tudor and Stuart Gold Master Class, and my first materials kit arrived today. There is more of that lovely Au Ver A Soie, and a lot of gold thread for practising with, as well as for working on the spot sampler.

The real attraction of this course to me is that Tricia has worked out how some of the ornate and now mysterious stitches of the period would have been worked. The stitches shown on the video look fascinating, and as well as providing instructions, she is providing animations to help her students learn how to work them. First, however, there is the silkwork to do, largely in Queen Stitch,  Rice Stitch (a cross stitch variation), and Roman Stitch.

As with the Floral Glove Needlecase, there was a larger number of students enrolling than Tricia expected, and between us we appear to have wiped out the worldwide stocks of some colours in the silk thread. As with all specialist enterprises, the manufacturers tend to expect small orders, and it may take years for a dye lot to be used up. However, we can hope that more people will be introduced to these threads and will begin to use them more. Potentially this will lead to more shops stocking the more unusual materials, and make it easier for us to buy them.

As Shakespeare would have said, “A consummation devoutly to be wished!”

Rachel, 07/05/2010. General Embroidery, Tudor and Stuart Gold Master Class online university, Thistle Threads, Tudor and Stuart Goldwork Masterclass

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