I'm a big fan of Tricia Nguyen's work analyzing and teaching 17th Century embroidery techniques, particularly on stumpwork caskets and the threads used by our stitching ancestors. As part of her casket class, Tricia has been having a contest to see who could some up with the best "toys" for their caskets. This is the grand prize winner. Don't drool all over your keyboard, ok?
http://thistle-threads.blogspot.com/2017/02/grand-prize-winner.html
You can see more of Janet's work by following her blog. These postings talk about the making of Janet's casket toys.
http://www.janetbrandt.com/2017/01/the-garden-casket-toys-part-i_31.html
http://www.janetbrandt.com/2017/02/casket-toys-part-ii.html
http://www.janetbrandt.com/2017/02/casket-toys-part-iii.html
Here is a video of Janet's flat topped cabinet. It is a different style reproduction 17th Century casket but equally amazing!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xQ70b2lB8CI
For insight into making these stumpwork pieces, follow Rachel's blog.
http://ladysrepositorymuseum.blogspot.com/2017/01/flat-top-casket-progress_31.html
It's truly amazing what Tricia and her students are doing. I just hope all the thread companies today have an eye toward building an archive explaining how they make their threads. Just so the 22nd Century stitchers have a hope of doing what their stitching ancestors have done.
UPDATE: Here is Tricia's cabinet, finished. Done in tent stitches on linen.
http://thistle-threads.blogspot.com/2019/08/video-of-five-senses-embroidered-cabinet.html
Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright February 1, 2017 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.
