The Cornely A5 chainstitch embroidery machine hasn’t gotten much use in the past six years.
After learning how to work with natural dyes, I’ve finally accumulated a pretty good range of thread colours.
The machine itself is made in France. The rest was put together in New York City.
It might be from sometime in the 1960s or early 70s.
Making multi-colour images on a manual chainstitch machine is a very time-consuming process. It takes a lot of focus. It’s the sort of work that shuts everything else off.
I have always loved natural materials and old technologies like natural dyeing, hand tailoring and organic fabric production. Going zero-synthetic, however, was due to a sudden onset of severe chemical allergies.
I have to make a batch of gloves every few months, along with many other things.
“The Bacton Altarcloth” was recently determined to likely be made from a dress that belonged to Queen Elizabeth I, c. 1600.
It’s on display at Hampton Palace, with The Rainbow Portait of the Virgin Queen.
Inscribed non sine sole iris (no rainbow without the sun) it’s questionable whether the eyes and ears on her saffron yellow cloak actually existed beyond symbolizing her as all-seeing and knowing. The bodice embroidery, however, compares to that of the Bacton cloth.
The silver woven into the heavy silk base is also visible in the painting, with even more striking similarity to the Bacton cloth. Tudor law was, only the very highest levels of nobility and royalty could wear dress containing gold and silver.
“Remnants of a dress belonging to Queen Elizabeth I may have been found in a richly embroidered altar cloth in Bacton, Herefordshire. Historians believe the monarch could have gifted the garment to one of her most faithful servants, Blanche Parry.” Claire Collins/Historic Royal Palaces/PA Wire
The altarcloth embroidery is more varied, with insects and small animals scattered among flowers and foliage.
Apparently some pigments were found to be from far-off places, like cochineal from Mexico and and indigo from India.
I think the lighter blues could be woad, like the thread above that I dyed. Yellows could come from any number of native flowers, this one is tansy. The pink is cochineal, and the green is yarrow, also locally abundant.
In this 1592 portrait, Elizabeth’s skirt shows bolder and more fantastical embroidery, with sea creatures and botanicals.
Parwati Budha Rawat, 21, with marigold and makhamali garlands that are a big part of the annual Tihar festival in Nepal.
Flower prices and domestic supply are closely watched in advance of the festival.
On certain Tihar days, the garlands are draped on dogs, cows and other icons to honour them. The fifth day is Bhai Tika, when sisters make special garlands for their brothers. That day’s rituals show gratitude for a brother’s protection and prays for his long life.
Last Monday, Parwati Budha Rawat was found dead in a “period hut” 100m from her home in Achham district, Sudurpashchim Pradesh. She had lit a fire in the windowless shack to keep warm, after being there for three days.
Her brother-in-law is the first ever arrested in relation to chhaupadi, which was banned in 2005. If charged, he faces three months in jail and a $35 CAD fine.
In Canada, December 6 is the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women.
I decided to see if there would be any colour in these woad leaves. They’ve been frozen a few times, which is definitely not according to textbook.
No matter how much pigment is in the leaves, the vat, and the material soaked in it, are “indigo white”. The blue doesn’t show until the material is exposed to air.
I have to make a batch of gloves every few months, along with many other things.
