Class description
Students will choose one or two projects from several projects on offer (I am in the process of designing two more projects). Instead of rushing through each project to get as many techniques under their belt as possible, the student will be thoroughly immersed in a limited number of medieval goldwork embroidery techniques. Two projects are based on existing medieval originals. The other project is a small sampler of techniques commonly used in medieval goldwork embroidery in the late medieval period.
Ensuring that students learn the basics of the dressing of a slate frame and the proper transfer of the design so that they can reproduce this knowledge over and over again on their own, is important to me as a tutor. Out of respect for the past embroidery masters, you will work on a scale and with materials that are comparable to magnificent medieval originals.
As the famous Mary Corbet has often said, each of the three projects can be tackled by a dedicated beginner. Another important factor to evaluate carefully before signing up for this class is your ability to see well enough to stitch the project successfully. It might be a good idea to bring your own magnification lamp.
Ensuring that students learn the basics of the dressing of a slate frame and the proper transfer of the design so that they can reproduce this knowledge over and over again on their own, is important to me as a tutor. Out of respect for the past embroidery masters, you will work on a scale and with materials that are comparable to magnificent medieval originals.
As the famous Mary Corbet has often said, each of the three projects can be tackled by a dedicated beginner. Another important factor to evaluate carefully before signing up for this class is your ability to see well enough to stitch the project successfully. It might be a good idea to bring your own magnification lamp.
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Project 1: Bird or quadruped from the Wolfgang chasuble
Embroidery fragments from archaeological excavations prove that goldwork embroidery has been known in our region since the earliest Middle Ages. From the 11th century, more or less complete embroideries have been preserved. One of these pieces is the so-called Wolfgang chasuble, which remains in the Regensburg Cathedral Treasury today. Birds and mammals surrounded by tendrils are depicted on the chasuble cross. Inspired by the Wolfgang chasuble, we will embroider a golden bird using the same embroidery techniques and comparable materials.
In the workshop, you will learn how to dress a traditional embroidery frame. You will transfer the pattern onto the silk fabric using the traditional prick-and-pounce method and with ink. You will work with real silk threads and gilt gold threads. Stem stitch, split stitch and couching are practiced. The pattern, pounce, iron gall ink, brush, sewing thread, needles, silk thread, gold thread, linen, silk and (video) instructions are included in your kit. You will need to bring a traditional slate frame (18 or 24 inches), a pair of fine embroidery scissors, something to cover your work and possibly writing materials for notes.
This workshop is aimed at those embroiderers who would like to practice consistency in their stitching. The limited number of stitches and techniques give you the opportunity to really focus on accuracy. The gold thread used in this design is the thinnest passing thread commercially available to give you a taste of the fineness of the original 11th century embroideries. Hence, you will need to be able to thread a fine #12 needle (with magnification). The finished pattern measures approx. 8.5 x 8.5 cm.
Embroidery fragments from archaeological excavations prove that goldwork embroidery has been known in our region since the earliest Middle Ages. From the 11th century, more or less complete embroideries have been preserved. One of these pieces is the so-called Wolfgang chasuble, which remains in the Regensburg Cathedral Treasury today. Birds and mammals surrounded by tendrils are depicted on the chasuble cross. Inspired by the Wolfgang chasuble, we will embroider a golden bird using the same embroidery techniques and comparable materials.
In the workshop, you will learn how to dress a traditional embroidery frame. You will transfer the pattern onto the silk fabric using the traditional prick-and-pounce method and with ink. You will work with real silk threads and gilt gold threads. Stem stitch, split stitch and couching are practiced. The pattern, pounce, iron gall ink, brush, sewing thread, needles, silk thread, gold thread, linen, silk and (video) instructions are included in your kit. You will need to bring a traditional slate frame (18 or 24 inches), a pair of fine embroidery scissors, something to cover your work and possibly writing materials for notes.
This workshop is aimed at those embroiderers who would like to practice consistency in their stitching. The limited number of stitches and techniques give you the opportunity to really focus on accuracy. The gold thread used in this design is the thinnest passing thread commercially available to give you a taste of the fineness of the original 11th century embroideries. Hence, you will need to be able to thread a fine #12 needle (with magnification). The finished pattern measures approx. 8.5 x 8.5 cm.
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Project 2: Medieval goldwork sampler
This design will teach you the three most common couching techniques (with and without padding) in medieval goldwork embroidery. You will use three different types of gold thread (passing thread, Japanese thread and twist) as well as linen sewing thread, Chinese flat silk and fresh-water pearls. All materials come close to what was used in the Middle Ages.
In the workshop, you will learn how to dress a traditional embroidery frame. You will transfer the pattern onto the linen fabric using the traditional prick-and-pounce method and with ink. You will work with real silk threads and gilt gold threads. The pattern, pounce, iron gall ink, brush, sewing thread, needles, silk thread, gold threads, linen sewing thread, fresh-water pearls, linen and (video) instructions are included in your kit. You will need to bring a traditional slate frame (18 or 24 inches), a pair of fine embroidery scissors, something to cover your work and possibly writing materials for notes.
For this workshop, you need to be able to comfortably see the threads on 46 ct linen (with magnification). You also need to be able to thread a fine #12 needle (with magnification). Like the medieval originals, the work is fine and the finished pattern measures approx. 8.8 x 8.8 cm.
This design will teach you the three most common couching techniques (with and without padding) in medieval goldwork embroidery. You will use three different types of gold thread (passing thread, Japanese thread and twist) as well as linen sewing thread, Chinese flat silk and fresh-water pearls. All materials come close to what was used in the Middle Ages.
In the workshop, you will learn how to dress a traditional embroidery frame. You will transfer the pattern onto the linen fabric using the traditional prick-and-pounce method and with ink. You will work with real silk threads and gilt gold threads. The pattern, pounce, iron gall ink, brush, sewing thread, needles, silk thread, gold threads, linen sewing thread, fresh-water pearls, linen and (video) instructions are included in your kit. You will need to bring a traditional slate frame (18 or 24 inches), a pair of fine embroidery scissors, something to cover your work and possibly writing materials for notes.
For this workshop, you need to be able to comfortably see the threads on 46 ct linen (with magnification). You also need to be able to thread a fine #12 needle (with magnification). Like the medieval originals, the work is fine and the finished pattern measures approx. 8.8 x 8.8 cm.
Project 3: Angel Choir
This design will be based on a popular medieval embroidered depiction of the Nativity in Germany in the second half of the 15th century. The background consists of these characteristic ‘sunny spirals’ of laid and couched gold thread. This design will teach you silk embroidery (split stitch and stem stitch), couching and a bit of beading with fresh-water pearls.
In the workshop, you will learn how to dress a traditional embroidery frame. You will transfer the pattern onto the linen fabric using the traditional prick-and-pounce method and with ink. You will work with real silk threads and gilt gold threads. The pattern, pounce, iron gall ink, brush, sewing thread, needles, silk thread, gold thread, fresh-water pearls, linen and (video) instructions are included in your kit. You will need to bring a traditional slate frame (18 or 24 inches), a pair of fine embroidery scissors, something to cover your work and possibly writing materials for notes.
For this workshop, you need to be able to thread a fine #12 needle (with magnification). Like the medieval originals, the work is fine and the finished pattern measures approx. 16 x 20.5 cm.
For all projects: Magnifying lamps and trestles are available in the work studio.
Embroidery kits: will contain 46 ct linen, all gold threads, all silk threads, padding materials, freshwater pearls, design transfer materials and needles. The estimated costs of the kits: bird OR quadruped Wolfgang chasuble (€85), bird AND quadruped Wolfgang chasuble (€ 145), Medieval Goldwork Sampler (€100) and Angel Choir (€255).
For more information visit the Creative Experiences website.
This design will be based on a popular medieval embroidered depiction of the Nativity in Germany in the second half of the 15th century. The background consists of these characteristic ‘sunny spirals’ of laid and couched gold thread. This design will teach you silk embroidery (split stitch and stem stitch), couching and a bit of beading with fresh-water pearls.
In the workshop, you will learn how to dress a traditional embroidery frame. You will transfer the pattern onto the linen fabric using the traditional prick-and-pounce method and with ink. You will work with real silk threads and gilt gold threads. The pattern, pounce, iron gall ink, brush, sewing thread, needles, silk thread, gold thread, fresh-water pearls, linen and (video) instructions are included in your kit. You will need to bring a traditional slate frame (18 or 24 inches), a pair of fine embroidery scissors, something to cover your work and possibly writing materials for notes.
For this workshop, you need to be able to thread a fine #12 needle (with magnification). Like the medieval originals, the work is fine and the finished pattern measures approx. 16 x 20.5 cm.
For all projects: Magnifying lamps and trestles are available in the work studio.
Embroidery kits: will contain 46 ct linen, all gold threads, all silk threads, padding materials, freshwater pearls, design transfer materials and needles. The estimated costs of the kits: bird OR quadruped Wolfgang chasuble (€85), bird AND quadruped Wolfgang chasuble (€ 145), Medieval Goldwork Sampler (€100) and Angel Choir (€255).
For more information visit the Creative Experiences website.