Some interesting conversations have been happening in the comments lately. I decided to bring them to the main blog so no one would miss any information. 

Also, I wanted to let you know that over the last several weeks this blog has been the target of spam comments, lots of them. Rich, Plimoth’s patient and hugely helpful web guy, has been deleting them in batches of a couple hundred at least a few times a week. He’s working on a permanent alternative, which may involve closing the comments for a while. We both feel that’s a last resort, but this nonsense is really getting out of hand. The comments won’t close permanently, and if you try to comment and can’t, just send a message to me at work and I’ll post your comment in the next blog. jhall@plimoth.org 

In the top photo of the red petal, (January 7th post) what is the area at the base of the photo that looks as if gold wire has been wrapped many times around the edge of the motif? Is it on the thread, or was it worked onto the edge of the design before stitching the filling? – Mary C 

The bunched up gold in the picture is my first stitching and I didn’t notice that I broke the wire on that reverse chain stitch (so it bunched) until I had worked so much detached buttonhole. I would have taken that one stitch out otherwise. – Tricia 

Hi - I’m in Australia. Is it at all possible to get a kit sent here (if there are any left)? I’ve had a friend recommend the kit as being the best introduction to Elizabethan embroidery.
Do you take Paypal? - Megan

We definitely have kits left, and are happy to send them to Australia, or anywhere else. Tricia did her usual fantastic job with the instructions. They are almost like an intensive class. We don’t take Paypal, unfortunately, but we do take MasterCard, Visa and Discover, as well as checks. Please send requests for kits and payments to Kathy Roncarati, kroncarati@plimoth.org or 508-746-1622 X 8114. 

To answer a similar question, we have plenty of room left in stitching sessions scheduled for February and March. To sign up for a session, please email me at jhall@plimoth.org 

I suspect we will be continuing to embroider into May (another question). I haven’t scheduled sessions that far ahead both because I’m waiting to see Plimoth Plantation’s public programs calendar (avoiding conflicts) and I want to check Tricia’s availability. – Jill 

May I ask how the thread (gilt sylke twist) will be released to the general public? Will the "left overs" from the jacket be sold through Plimoth Plantation, or will it be sold through needlework retailers? – Mary C 

The threads will be sold through Thistle Threads and Plimoth Plantation. Keep checking each for updates on when available. At some point, it will become available to all embroidery stores. Mostly, I have been buying up all of it as it gets made for the Plimoth project and a class to be held in February - so extra is limited at the moment and we just need to make sure that there is enough of the few limited colors before they go for general sale. Plus the final pricing (see earlier blog) must be finished. International readers can also buy through the two ‘vendors’ (via web) as soon as we go live. - Tricia

Jill/Tricia for the sheer pleasure of watching the jacket progress and for the fascinating insights into the whole project, I have tagged this blog for the You Make My Day Award. 

I don’t expect you to follow up in the usual way but I really wanted to include you on my list.  – Coral-seas 

Thank you very much! It is so important (to me especially, I think) to know how many people are enjoying the blog. I had to go look up what this is, and what is the usual response. What a nice thing. I think what I will do is post links here to blogs readers of the Embroiderers’ Story might find interesting. It’s something I’m always meaning to do, and actually have done a couple of times, but have not been consistent with. I’ll be inspired by your comment and try harder! 

For some questions I need to get answers from Tricia, who has been bogged down over the last few weeks by her day job AND by not one but TWO computers that crashed. We can all sympathize there. I’ll post answers and more information soon. Tricia’s computer woes also delayed the production of the lace kits - we were all sending corrections to the instructions to her so she could work her stylish magic. The lace kits will begin going out tomorrow.