Glittering Nightcap – Materials Arrived
Glittering Nightcap Materials
Although I am very tempted by Tricia Nguyen-Wilson’s Cabinet of Curiosties Casket Course (who wouldn’t be?) I decided that I really shouldn’t take on a multi-year project such as that would certainly turn out to be, not least because I really want to do more on the Dreams of Amarna Panels.
I couldn’t quite do without an Online University course, though, so I have signed up to the Glittering Nightcap Course, and the materials arrived just before Christmas. Eight colours of Gilt Sylke Twist, as well as all the other silk thread, real spangles (tiny ones), a Japanese needle, and even a Pigma pen (for which I am devoutly grateful, because my local – usually very good – artists’ suppliers was completely non-plussed when I asked about them. I suppose it’s an American brand.
I shan’t be able to start before the middle of January or maybe even later, but I’m really looking forward to it. It will be interesting to get to grips with Gilt Sylke Twist, having heard so much about it!
Yes, I remember looking at that casket with a little longing as well, but the price! And yes, 3 years is a long project. I could get almost the whole C&G level 3 Cert and Dip in that time!!=)
The nightcap looks topping and I’ll watch your progress with interest. It reminds me of the ‘Juliet’s Bride Cap’ in ‘Festive Elizabethan Creations’ (or something like that….!!!) Those NZ books on Elizabethan embroidery anyway.=)
Oh boy — another opportunity to see a beautiful project come from your hands. As for Pigma pens — we have them here in the US — if you ever need one (or two or three) let me know and I’ll pick some up for you. I use them for all my punchneedle designs and love them.
The casket is incredible, but oh my – what a committment to resources. The nightcap project is super. I’m looking forward to seeing how you progess.
I didn’t sign up for this one–looking forward to watching your progress on it!
Cool 🙂 Is there a pic of what it should look like when it’s finished…?
Do you have Tricia’s GST Primer?? (Download from site or I can send it to you). It’s a bit of a bitch to work with – the gold strips off the silk if you use anything but very short lengths. With DBS stitch, if it strips in the middle of a row……tho I have used it successfully with DBS. Just gotta to careful. You’ll be an old hand at it by the time you’ve done this!
Awww (re casket course) but :: we will get to do the Nightcap vicariously through you! I wanted to do it as an example of classic scroll design, but then the casket course came up.
Try asking for a “Micron” pen, or any waterproof 0.5mm (Mary recommends sepia) felt tipped artist’s pen. (1mm is ok too, but 0.5 is the best)
Those threads look delicious. (I will not be tempted, I will not be tempted.)
Well it sounds fascinating – I shall watch your progress!
Oh goodness, the casket course looks incredible. No, incredible really doesn’t even come close. An amazing, unique, once in a lifetime… Wow. What a work of art to aspire to.
I’m taking that class too! I will admit I did a few buds, then got really upset about the gilt sylke stripping and the issues with detached buttonhole at that tiny size with threads that are difficult, then ripped them out. I decided to do a few days of practice, starting large then working small, then ended up making myself a really cute tiny little strawberry pincushion (I also used some of the stitches from the goldwork masterclass as a practice too). I’m getting more comfortable with the gilt sylke, and will probably re-start tomorrow. Even ripping it out is hard! It is going to be gorgeous when its finished though. I wish we had a message board to talk on for the people taking the class – once you get started I may bug you a bit and anyone else I see blogging about it. It would be great to have someone to compare notes with.
Something to look forward to!
so many beautiful threads…..I am sure i your expert hands that they will become part of something amazing.
I hope you had a wonderful Christmas!
The casket is gorgeous.I wish I’d money / time to take up these courses.The glittering nightcap is lovely.Am looking forward to see your progress.My best wishes to you Rachel.
Anita.
Rachel,
I use the same pigma pens for my embroidery. Amazon has them, so I imagine Amazon UK does as well. The full name is Sikura Pigma Micron pen. Here’s a link to the Amazon US so you can see the various thicknesses available. I tend to use the very finest 005:
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Darts-crafts&field-keywords=Sakura+Pigma+Micron+pen&x=0&y=0
P.S. I took Tricia’s nightcap class – the very first time she ran it, in Williamsburg, VA, a few years ago. Most of mine is done, but I never finished it. It’s quite beautiful. A few summers ago I would work on it while sitting on my back porch in the morning, just after the sun came up. I liked to do this because as the sun rose it would shine across the embroidery, almost horizontally, and would make all the GST come alive. If you have a chance to work on it under those conditions, try it – it’s breath-taking.
I, on the other hand, have heard nothing at all about Gilt Sylke Twist. In fact all that comes to mind is the Tailor of Gloucester and a certain gentleman I’ve found in my family tree who (having been over to look at the nightcap on the website) I rather fancy may have worn one of these!