My last blog post on the Cappa leonis in Aachen sparked quite a discussion amongst scholars and practitioners of needlelace embroidery. As most of it was sent via private email, I am going to summarise its contents in this additional blog post. By the way, I had to restrict the Read more
In today’s blog, we will examine the so-called Cappa leonis held in the Cathedral Treasury of Aachen, Germany. A perfect example of more is more. It was likely used as the coronation mantle for Charles IV, Holy Roman Emperor, crowned in AD 1349 in Aachen and Charles V, Holy Roman Read more
Back in 2020, when we were all cooped up inside, I taught an 8-part series on Zoom called the Imperial Goldwork Course. The series was based on the book “Lehrcurs der Goldstickerei” published in 1902 by Amelie von Saint-George. I have now uploaded the original PDFs and the recorded Zoom Read more
Today, I am sharing a free medieval embroidery pattern with you. Late last year, I visited the Treasury of the basilica of St Servatius in Maastricht, the Netherlands. Among the display cases with medieval textiles sat this very damaged alms purse. Colours faded and threads fallen out. When I studied Read more
The Cathedral Museum of Pisa, Italy, holds an Opus ciprense embroidery in the form of a large antependium. We’ve already visited this museum to study the cope of Gelasius II. What makes this 14th-century antependium so special is that it is one of only three pieces of surviving Opus ciprense: Read more
On Saturday, I re-visited the Eugen Übelhör weaving mill in Höchst, Austria. We all know Zweigart and, probably, Weddingen, two mills in Germany. However, the small family-run business Eugen Übelhör is far less well-known. And that’s a shame! If you haven’t heard of them, you are missing out on high-quality Read more
Literature research on the Opus florentinum embroideries shown in last week’s blog post led to another related piece of gorgeous medieval embroidery. According to the reference, the designs on last week’s chasuble were related to those seen on an antependium now kept at Santa Maria Novella in Florence, Italy. Luckily Read more
Last week, we looked at a piece of medieval embroidery from the Museo dell’Opera del Duomo di Pisa in Italy. The cope known as the Gelasius II cope exhibits embroidery from the first half of the 14th century and an orphrey from the first half of the 15th century. As Read more
The Museo dell’Opera del Duomo di Pisa exhibits a magnificent piece of 14th-century Italian embroidery. It is known as the cope of Gelasius II, who was pope from AD 1118 to 1119 and consecrated the Pisa Cathedral. As you can tell from the dates, a 12th-century pope cannot wear a Read more
FiberTalk just released a podcast and video in which Gary and I walk through my new membership platform. Take a peek behind the paywall to find out what is included in my membership plan. My website offers beginner embroidery courses that teach a limited number of stitches and techniques. Good Read more