In the Beginning
Welcome to Plimoth Plantation’s newest blog. The Embroiderers’ Story will chronicle the progress of a particular project being carried out by the members of Plimoth Plantation’s Colonial Wardrobe & Textiles Department, along with essential help and support from members of the historic needlework community.
Over the next year, we will be recreating a 17th-century embroidered jacket, such as that worn by Dorothy Cary, later Viscountess Rochford, in this portrait dated c. 1614-1618. The work will be done entirely by hand, using 17th-century techniques and modern materials that most closely replicate the original linen cloth and silk and metal threads.
The idea to recreate one of these embroidered jackets was spurred by the planning for Plimoth Plantation’s upcoming exhibit on personal adornment. The exhibit planners wanted a garment that summed up the early 17th-century English aesthetic of personal adornment and could, along with a Native Wampanoag turkey feather mantle, form the centerpiece of the new exhibit.
For some weeks we (the members of Plimoth Plantation’s Colonial Wardrobe Department) were stumped. Nothing that we could accomplish seemed able to stand as counterpoint to the mantle. Finally we suggested an embroidered jacket, the idea immediately caught everyone’s imagination and we were off. That was in November, 2006.
Since then, we have been overwhelmed with the enthusiasm news of this project has generated. This is definitely an ambitious undertaking; based on time trials we estimate the embroidery alone will take between 2000 – 2500 hours of labor. That figure doesn’t include the time required to make and apply yards of metal bobbin lace or assemble the embroidered pieces into a finished garment. We’re going to need as much enthusiasm, support, and help as possible.
This blog is the direct result of a suggestion from members of the needlework community who would like to keep up with the jacket as it progresses. As the Manager of the Colonial Wardrobe & Textiles Department, I intend to post 4-6 times per week in order to keep everyone abreast of the project, make historical information and a bibliography available, supply links to the manufacturers of the supplies we’ll be using, provide information on how to join the team of embroiderers working on the jacket, report on what we learn as we carry out the process, and generally build a community. I hope you’ll check back often, and let your friends know we’re here.
Tags: introduction
May 16th, 2007 at 1:24 am
Hi1
I first heard about this project at Celebrations of Needlework! You did a class on the project. It was awesome! Keep us posted about the project.
May 16th, 2007 at 6:17 pm
This will be an amazing project and I look forward to seeing this wonderful jacket emerge!
May 16th, 2007 at 10:57 pm
What a great project. What a fun idea: how to join the team of embroiderers working on the jacket. Can we really? That would be awesome. I will definitely look forward to that information - as well as your other updated.
May 17th, 2007 at 2:58 pm
I just stumbled on this from the Plimoth Plantaion website — what a wonderful project! I look forward to seeing the completed jacket. Will the embroidery patterns be available to the public? I love the little bluebird in the “eye candy” picture.
May 17th, 2007 at 3:13 pm
What a wonderful project idea! I’ll be keeping up with the progress and maybe … will it really be possible? … joining in!
May 17th, 2007 at 3:26 pm
…how to volunteer to help with the stitching? I saw the work that Tricia Wilson Nguyen did featured in the latest Sampler and Antique Needlework Quarterly and am interested in doing some of the embroidery. Do we need to submit a test sampler to allow our work to be ‘auditioned?’ Can a fellow needleworker vouch for us? May I stitch just a little on the underarm if my tension isn’t ferfect yet? *grin*
Congratulations on undertaking such an ambitious project and thank you in advance for allowing the stitching community the opportunity to join in on the adventure.
May 17th, 2007 at 9:21 pm
What an exciting and ambitious project! I’ll be anxiously awaiting the details on volunteering.
May 18th, 2007 at 11:16 am
This is going to be fascinating to watch!
May 15th, 2008 at 3:34 pm
[…] Birthday! One year ago today, this community was born. I really didn’t know what to expect, but I jumped into blogging […]
May 18th, 2008 at 8:27 am
Hey Jill…. this particular posting is the one I refer people to see since it gives a good explanation of how the project began and has the Cary portrait… Could you possibly add a quick link on the main blog page for the “In the beginning” entry?