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A DIVE INTO 16TH CENTURY CROSS STITCH; A RECREATION OF THE DATE PALM

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  QUEENS PRIZE/ A&S FAIRE   2024                     PROJECT BRIEF           From 1568-1587 Queen Mary of Scotland was held captive in England. During those years she, along with Elizabeth of Shrewsbury, created dozens of cross stitched pieces, to pass the time, decorate the castle in finery and to pass on messages (at least on the part of Mary)         WHY THIS PROJECT?           I have had an obsession with these creations as well as table carpets for a very long time. I felt that this project was a good place to start. Using a fabric I have used before (double woven cotton) as well as a thread I am not as skilled in (wool) this became a good challenge of my skills and knowledge AVAILABLE RESOURCES           While the original   purpose is not known, it is believed that these slips were given as gifts, and used as functional items prior to being turned into their current hangings. The hangings were created by Alathea Talbot in the 17 th
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A GREAT EXPERIMENT OR HOW NOT TO MAKE A EMBROIDERED PILLOW

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                                                                                            A&S Champs 2023     When I set out to start this project I have one thought in mind; I need a footstool with a pillow. While this concept seems easy enough, I quickly learned what does and does not work   Crossed stitch stitches have changed slightly over the centuries with the biggest changes in how  they are laid to create density on the back of the piece. In the 16 th century they used a “spiral” pattern to lay the stitches which creates an even layout and protected back. These pieces would have been used for bed hangings, pillows, and potentially wall hangings. The embroidery was created on canvas then attached to another material like velvet. Compared to weavings that need a loom, the ladies of the court could create these pieces on a portable level as well as individualize the design being created. Printed books and patterns were becoming more and more popular as well as p
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PROJECT 404: A Study of Mary Queen of Scots Embroidery Created in Captivity

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   Queen Prize/A&S Faire 2023                                          After fleeting Scotland with very little, Mary Queen of Scots was imprisoned for approximately the last 19 years of her life. She had become a very talented embroideress trained in the royal courts of France, and in her time in England used those skills to not only decorate her rooms, but to send messages in secret. In total over 100 pieces are attributed to the hand of the Queen with many more completed by Bess of Hardwick with the influence of Mary. It took modern volunteers with the Heritage sewing group over 2500 hours to complete a recreation of all the pieces. Only after her passing were Mary’s hangings finally mounted on velvet and hung at Oxburgh hall, which is now part of the National Trust property My primary goal in this project is to learn and practice the art of cross stitch as it was done in the 1500’s and I will eventually recreate not only Mary Queen of Scots style project
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