Interesting Piecework Article

[ElizabethClark]

There's an interesting article in the September/October 2004 Piecework magazine, on Embroidered Globes (Terrestrial and Celestial), something used in the 1800-1840-ish era to teach schoolgirls their geography and needlework all at the same time (and I though we had mastered multi-tasking!).

For any woman portraying a grown-up in the 60s, familiarity with these globes might be an interesting addition. There was one reference to the brothers of a family using the silk embroidered globe as a ball... as many were 4-6" across.

There's also a project given on-line:

http://www.interweave.com/needle/projects_articles.asp

And, a book listed in the bibliography that looks very interesting:

Girlhood Embroidery: American Samplers & Pictoral Needlework, 1650-1850

It's listed as out of print, but inter-library-loan might be a source.

[Trish Hasenmueller]

Re: Interesting Piecework Article

Thank you, Elizabeth! It's just this sort of thing we need to know to affect realistic background in our efforts. I've already started planning a way to make mine look like it's as old as it should be if I had made it as a youngster.

Trish Hasenmueller

[ElizabethClark]

Re: Interesting Piecework Article

It's worthwhile to pick up the magazine article, too... lots of images of the originals. To "age" it, just hand it to a small boy for about 10 minutes.

[celtfiddler]

Re: Interesting Piecework Article

And, a book listed in the bibliography that looks very interesting:

Girlhood Embroidery: American Samplers & Pictoral Needlework, 1650-1850

It's listed as out of print, but inter-library-loan might be a source.

For those who absolutely need to have it--Hedgehog Handworks (http://www.hedgehoghandworks.com/catalog/BKNW0161.shtml) has it available for $125

[Drygoods]

Re: Interesting Piecework Article

Years ago Piecework magazine did a fine pattern for knit and crochet mitts. I've lost my copy, but would like to know if anyone else out here in the forum has it and would send me a xerox. I really miss it as it was my favorite and just hate to do the counting by hand, age is catching up and the eyes aren't as sharp as before. :confused_

[col90]

Re: Interesting Piecework Article

And, a book listed in the bibliography that looks very interesting:

Girlhood Embroidery: American Samplers & Pictoral Needlework, 1650-1850

It's listed as out of print, but inter-library-loan might be a source.

I own that, and it is a two volume work, by Betty Ring, who is was one of America's pre-eminent early needlework collectors and experts. I was working as a volunteer in the textile division at the Smithsonian when she came to photograph some of the collection there for this work, since the Smithsonian owns a large needlework collection (and unfortunately, 90% of it is NOT on display and never will be) It is a WONDERFUL book, with all color photographs, and lots of information concerning early needlework, both 18th and early 19th century. And Elizabeth is right...any of us portraying adults in the 1860s would have learned embroidery and needlework as children...we forget today that those lovely 18th century samplers that we do were NOT adult work in the 18th and early 19th century, but were children's work. They are not appropriate for us as adults to work on in living history situations, but we WOULD have been familiar with them, and depending on our "background", would have done them as children.

The book is definitely worth the price, along with any other of Betty Ring's books, particularly if you are interested in early embroidery.

Colleen

[ElizabethClark]

Re: Interesting Piecework Article

Judith, your auto-signature was deleted when the forum crashed--you'll need to go up to User CP and re-set it, as your name isn't showing up anymore. Thanks!

Since it would violate Piecework's copyright to photocopy the back issue article, your best option would be to contact the magazine directly regarding a reprint or back issue purchase.

The full PDF version of the back issues index is here:

http://tinyurl.com/le5kr

Fingerless Silk Mitts to Crochet shows up in July/August 1994 (pg 48)

I didn't see one under knitting... but could that be the issue? If so, they do list it as available in back issue: http://tinyurl.com/o7v9g $4 to purchase (not bad!)

If it's not that one, the index may help you locate it, and perhaps Piecework could send an authorized reprint from their files if it's not available in full magazine form?

[Quiverful]

Re: Interesting Piecework Article

Just for grins, I looked on www.abebooks.com to see if any used book vendors was selling the Childhood Embroidery book. Wow! that must be some book!! There were 9 copies available and the cheapest copy was $150.00. One of the copies was actually an ex-library edition and they still wanted $150.00 for it! Someone is trying to get away with murder!(Library books don't cost but a few dollars to purchase.) I guess it's supply and demand. :confused_

[col90]

Re: Interesting Piecework Article

Just for grins, I looked on www.abebooks.com to see if any used book vendors was selling the Childhood Embroidery book. Wow! that must be some book!! There were 9 copies available and the cheapest copy was $150.00. One of the copies was actually an ex-library edition and they still wanted $150.00 for it! Someone is trying to get away with murder!(Library books don't cost but a few dollars to purchase.) I guess it's supply and demand. :confused_

Well.......two things: it IS worth it, since as I said, this is a two volume work, in a slipcase, all color, and around 275 pages in each volume; Secondly, as a librarian, I can tell you we DO get discounts on our book orders, but we also pay close to the list price for books like this (and don't order but a few copies).....so it's not really "murder". This set also cost close to $100 when it first came out, so that is not an outrageous price.

Colleen

[ElizabethClark]

Re: Interesting Piecework Article

Terry--your signature isn't showing up, either... :) Sorry to be a pest right in the middle of the thread. Everyone is having to reset their signature files after the crash, or else remember to type in their first and last names to each post and response.

A couple of my favorite needlework books can't be found for love nor money, even if it is an ex-libris volume. There's one, I'd glady pay $150 for one slim volume, roughly used and with dog-eared corners, but no one will sell, period. PLEH.

Judith, do check with Piecework, and let us know what you find. Some of their good back issues, beyond the Globes one in this old thread, include topics on mid-century collars and cuffs, whitework, lacemaking, hairwork... not every issue has topics of interest for mid-century enthusiasts, but there are some great things covered in the past!

[Drygoods]

Re: Interesting Piecework Article

Mrs. Clark,

Many thanks for the links. Yes, I will give those a try and if need be, order a past issue to replace my lost one. More than likely, I loaned it out and forgot who that was, I tend to do that too often.

thanks for letting me know about the signature, as I didn't know it was not working properly. I did notice that the number of posts have changed, but no matter there as I can always write more! :D

I wonder how many here have started working on holiday projects? Last year I did soldier's mitts, gloves, socks, and lady's hoods. I'm looking for something a bit more interesting, perhaps a lady's knit bodice, maybe a sleeping hat or some other men's item would be nice. Anyone here have a good suggestion?

Mfr,
Judith Peebles

[ElizabethClark]

Re: Interesting Piecework Article

I'll break out the Christmas ideas into a new topic. :)

No problem on the signatures... while everyone settles back into the 2004 database, I anticipate quite a few friendly reminders to re-set the signature files. :)

[Quiverful]

Re: Interesting Piecework Article

Colleen said "Well.......two things: it IS worth it, since as I said, this is a two volume work, in a slipcase, all color, and around 275 pages in each volume; Secondly, as a librarian, I can tell you we DO get discounts on our book orders, but we also pay close to the list price for books like this (and don't order but a few copies).....so it's not really "murder". This set also cost close to $100 when it first came out, so that is not an outrageous price"

I'm sure it is worth it. My experience with "ex-library" copies is buying books when they are at the library sales. I've never seen a book go for more than a few dollars at those sales. I can buy library editions from a distributor for the same price that the library gets them for since I homeschool. But I think I understand what you are saying about not getting too many copies so there are not as many available.

Speaking of embroidery: I found an antique pin cushion at my friend's antique store that is a little stuffed pillow with some flowers embroidered on the top of it. It is made out of linen fabric. I haven't had a moment to check to see what they would have used during that period but I got it anyway since I really liked it. Do any of you ladies know if it would be correct to use it out at a reenactment?

Elizabeth, I fixed my signature. Also, I thought your comment about giving the sphere to a child for 10 minutes to be so true. I made some canvas balls for my boys to play with. They are very "old" looking now!!

[ElizabethClark]

Re: Interesting Piecework Article

One source to check for period pin-cushion shapes and types is "needlework tool" valuation books. They'll most often have the pretty "production" pin cushions, but some do show the homemade and novelty cushions as well. (Our library has a pretty good stack of needlework tool antique guides, but they're shelved in sewing, embroidery AND antiques, so it can be a hunt to find them all. :) )