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Medieval Splendour in gold thread and silk
The Acupictrix, alias Dr Jessica Grimm, writes a weekly blog on medieval goldwork embroidery and related topics.
Dr Jessica Grimm is a member of Centre International d’Etude des Textiles Ancienes (CIETA), Bundesverband Kunsthandwerk, MEDATS and S.E.W.
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Goldwork Tutorial: Padded Brick Couching inspired by Tuscany
This goldwork tutorial shows you how to make a simple padded background for your goldwork or stumpwork embroidery. We saw this technique on the cope hood from Tuscany made in the first quarter of the 16th century. The method produces a nicely textured and firm background. It would… Read More
Medieval Goldwork from Tuscany: stunning orphreys
We continue our exploration of medieval goldwork from Tuscany with a couple of stunning orphreys. One is kept in a museum, one in a Cathedral, and the third is in a private collection. In 2019, they were displayed side by side in Castello Buonconsiglio. All three are of… Read More
Medieval Goldwork from Tuscany: the Coronation of the Virgin
Last week, we examined the vestments made for Pope Nicholas V. Today, we continue our explorations of medieval goldwork from Tuscany, Italy with a cope hood made in Florence in the first quarter of the 16th century. The design of the Coronation of the Virgin is attributed to… Read More
Medieval Goldwork from Tuscany: Pope Nicholas V vestments
This month, we will examine medieval goldwork from Tuscany, Italy. I was fortunate enough to see many of these pieces when they were exhibited at Castello Buonconsiglio in 2019. The series of blog posts is also in preparation for a trip to Tuscany that my husband and I… Read More
Slate Frame Review + Giveaway: Freedom Frame by the Artful Fox
Late last year, the owners of the Artful Fox approached me to review their Freedom Frame. They promise that this slate frame can be dressed within three minutes. It is one of these no-sew slate frames that operate with a slot and dowel system. They sent me the… Read More
Which embroidery stitch is it? Stitch identification.
Identifying an embroidery stitch correctly on a historic piece is not always easy. As inspecting the back for correct identification is often necessary, historic embroideries can be challenging. Either the back cannot be checked due to a lining or is displayed, so it is inaccessible. The solution? Make… Read More