Stereotypes About Men and Women Stitching Persist

Dr. Jessica Grimm, a specialist in medieval embroidery, has a fascinating article on her blog about the modern stereotypes we have about male and female stitchers--which were firmly in place in the 14th and 15th Century!

https://www.jessicagrimm.com/blog/image-and-reality-embroiderers-in-the-medieval-period

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright April 17, 2023 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

A Great Idea for Sand

Jessica is getting an embroidery class ready.  Her recent post shows off the project and describes the interesting mix of flat and spun overdyed silk she choose to create sand.

https://www.jessicagrimm.com/blog/on-the-shores-of-st-nick-an-update

It's an idea worth exploring!

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright February 8, 2021 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

What the Heck is a Broche? UPDATED

People who are intrigued by needlework tools and those who do goldwork will be fascinated by Jessica Grimm's article on the goldwork spindle known as a broche in French.  (In Dutch it is called a brodse; Germans call it a Bretsche.)  Basically, it is a spool for goldwork threads so that you can protect them from tarnishing by not touching them once they are rolled onto the spindle.   Jessica has a nice video demonstrating how these are used in her article and a lot of history of this specialty tool.  If you are familiar with the koma used in Japanese embroidery, you'll understand how these are used instantly.
https://www.jessicagrimm.com/blog/the-brochebrodsebretsche

Jessica has arranged to have a local craftsman reproduce these.  Keep an eye on her webstore if you want one.
https://www.jessicagrimm.com/store/c1/Afgebeelde_producten.html

UPDATE:  Here's more about a broche in a new film about their history and use.
https://www.jessicagrimm.com/blog/the-brochebrodsebretsche-part-ii

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright May 18, 2020 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Let's Go Rescue Dovo Scissors UPDATED

Jessica Grimm's latest blog posting alerted me to the fact that Dovo Scissors in Germany is in financial trouble.
https://www.jessicagrimm.com/blog/embroidery-bits-and-bobs7911269

I know a great many people love Dovo scissors, so it is time for fans to buy a new pair to try and give the company a little time to get their financial house in order.  It would be especially nice if you bought from Jessica herself since she's a small business in Germany and hard hit by the quarantine rules right now.
https://www.jessicagrimm.com/store/c25/Scissors.html

UPDATE:  If you were curious about Broche, here's more information, and Jessica has added new types of Dovo scissors to her online store.  See?  That's how it works in needlework businesses:  buy something and you support the craftsmen who made it, the distributor who gets it into the stores, and the shop that sells it to you.  Go Dovo!
https://www.jessicagrimm.com/blog/the-brochebrodsebretsche-part-ii

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright May 11, 2020 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Raised Embroidery: A Book Review

Jessica Grimm has written an interesting review of the latest book from the Royal School of Needlework—Raised Embroidery by Kelley Aldridge.
http://www.jessicagrimm.com/blog/book-review-rsn-raised-embroidery

Although this book is written for those interested in embroidery, not needlepoint, the raised and dimensional techniques can be adapted to needlepoint canvas with a little ingenuity (and often using a sharp needle instead of a tapestry needle to pierce the canvas threads to place a stitch just where you need it instead of just in the holes).

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright June 26, 2017 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Peeking Over Jessica's Shoulder UPDATED

Jessica shows us how she executes a commission for needlepoint suspenders ("braces") for a German customer who wants traditional ones using Berlin woolwork patterns made with the breast piece.
http://www.jessicagrimm.com/blog/another-bavarian-hosentrager

UPDATE:  Jessica is almost ready to roll the embroidery up on her scroll frame.
http://www.jessicagrimm.com/blog/embroidery-plans-with-a-herbal-theme

UPDATE #2:
And the embroidery is done!  Now for the finishing.
http://www.jessicagrimm.com/blog/a-very-happy-costumer

These aren't the first pair Jessica has made for customers.  Click on "Bavarian braces" in the right hand column to see more.  Here is someone wearing a set, although they are not Jessica's, just a random photo I found online to illustrate how they differ from the suspenders that a banker might wear in Boston.
http://www.flagshipfancydress.co.uk/germanbavarian-man-costume-2212-p.asp

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright February 14, 2017 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.