Finding the two V&A jackets
Several of the stitches we’re using on the jacket have been diagrammed and illustrated by Tricia. Her directions and photos are fantastic, I think. They really helped me understand these stitches, none of which I’d ever tried before last summer.
Tricia hasn’t done up her own version of the plaited braid stitch instructions, though, and likely won’t for some time. Fortunately, Linda Connors of Calico Crossroads has, and has made them available through her website for a very small fee. Here’s a link to the searchable catalog for Calico Crossroads. Put in plaited braid stitch and it should come up; if not email Linda for help.
If you want to see images of the two original jackets we’re using for this project, go to the V&A website, to the collections page. Go to the ’search collections’ feature. In the search box type “Laton jacket” for many pictures of this jacket and the portrait of Margaret Laton wearing it. This jacket is the source of the garment pattern and the lace that we’re reproducing. To see the jacket bearing the embroidery pattern, put “1359-1900″ in the search field. There are fewer pictures of this one available, but they’re gorgeous.
Tags: 1359-1900, butterfly upper-wings, Calico Crossroads, Laton jacket, Linda Connors, pea pod covers, Tricia, V&A, Wendy
July 22nd, 2008 at 2:14 pm
I tried searching the V&A website using “1359-1900″ but this does not match any records. Is there perhaps another way to search for the jacket that was used for the embroidery?
July 29th, 2008 at 9:53 pm
for the embroidery jacket:
http://www.vam.ac.uk/
click on the “collections” link
click on “Search the collections”
you should get a box that says “all fields” and a white box to enter your numbers with a “search” button underneath
DO NOT use your intuition and experience and try to use the normal search box at the top once you are on the “collections” page, it is a TRICK!!!
okay, it’s not really a trick, it’s just non-intuitive site design, also known as a flaw in the human/machine interface. I tried three or four times, gave up, accidentally got in correctly once, then about had a fit trying to do it again. And I just walked myself thru it just now to make sure I was getting right while I wrote this, so report your triumph if this works for you, to encourage others who have tried and failed!
(you can get the Laton jacket and painting using either search box)
love,
Lily
August 20th, 2008 at 10:00 am
A number of years ago when I was at the V&A the Margaret Laton jacket and painting were on display together. It was truly amazing to see them together. Marjorie