Yes, you can’t decide to stitch a casket without thinking about what silk you will use and which colors. Just like with the Plimoth Jacket, this was a drawn out process. But unlike the Plimoth Jacket, there were more options. When we were working on the jacket, we had much fewer colors that we needed and we had some constraints to work under. We didn’t have the volume of threads to allow special dyeing of silk (which is done in the multi-kilogram scale), so we had to work with what existed in the line. That was feasible as we only needed two blues – not a family of five perfectly shaded ones to stitch a needlelace tent!
It has taken Lamora Haidar, owner of Access Commodities, and I over a year to work out a historic color collection for this course. I would like to say that we are 100% done, but that would not be true. There is always tweaking to be done as well as projections to make sure we have enough of the colors and can stagger the dyeing. Yes – dyeing. I am letting the cat out of the bag.
Why would we want to establish a 17th century historic color pallet? First it was important for us to standardize the threads that are being made for the class to allow stock to be held for my classes and any encores I may need to run. We also wanted to make sure there would be enough so as people worked, they could order more. Second, we both wanted to provide the best matches to the old embroideries as well as shade color families to give stitchers the range needed to complete their masterpiece.
Maybe you can imagine the logistical problems in doing this – maybe not. Well, I’ll show you over the next thread of this blog how this happened.
Tricia
Oh my gosh! I’m hyperventilating… I think I’d better find a paper bag. Those colors are wonderful to see together.
Tricia, on the caskets you studied were the embroideries only worked in silk or did you see some wool- or a combo of both?
Also, would the girls have twisted the silk thread themselves or was it ready to go as bought?
Yum! Those blues are making me weak in the knees! Ooooo. . . .I can’t wait!!!!
Will there eventually be an opportunity for those of us who weren’t able to sign up for the class to purchase things like the notes?
What a wonderful range of colours, I really appreciate all the research and work you have put and are putting into this project for us
Will the historical range be available after the Casket Course/generally or is it only a limited run? Such wonderful colours! I’d like to be able to re-stock in the future….?
I have my fingers crossed that they used some purple colored threads back in the 17th century!
Love the colours. My favourite is purple and I think I can see to reels top right.
This is getting so exciting!
I am visiting the Ashmoleon Museum in Oxford on Wednesday, partly for a business meeting in the tearoom but also to view the casket there.
Oh, I wish I had the time and money to take this course. Your tidbits are making me very envious. These colors are wonderful, and the fabric is gorgeous. Is it woven silk or velvet? Also, it appears to be very similar to the fabrics shown on the interior of the caskets in the “Twixt Art and Nature” catalog from the Met’s exhibit. Have you found that most caskets use the same color?
Please keep all the details coming, at least I can enjoy vicariously!
The colours are fabulous. I am also scanning the picture to see what other goodies there are. Is that salmon pink velvet I see at the back? And look at that lovely marbled paper, what could that be for?
Waves to Grace from Oxford – have a nice time at the Ashmole!
Grace, we want a report on your trip to the Ashmoleon. Do you have a blog we can check for pics and such?
Hi Carol, Hi Carla – I do have a blog but it is empty! Maybe I should start it up with the visit to Oxford. Not sure if I am allowed to take photos. (www.geapalmer.blogspot.com)
No luck at the Ashmolean, the casket is currently not on display. I have applied to view it, but not sure if that will be possible…..
Grace, if they allow it can you let me know when you are coming to view it. If I can get some time off work, and if you don’t mind me jumping on your bandwagon, I’d like to come with you.