Comments on: Experimental Archeology http://www.plimoth.org/embroidery-blog/2008/08/12/experimental-archeology/ The blog for Plimoth Plantation's 17 Century embroidered jacket project. Tue, 15 Dec 2009 02:44:23 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9 hourly 1 By: Alison Smith http://www.plimoth.org/embroidery-blog/2008/08/12/experimental-archeology/comment-page-1/#comment-1925 Alison Smith Thu, 14 Aug 2008 16:48:41 +0000 http://www.plimoth.org/embroidery-blog/?p=723#comment-1925 I was lucky enough to see the jacket that the embroidery patterns are coming from on display at the V&A musuem some years ago -- and to take some very closeup photos. I've checked out my pictures for the veins, and think they must have also been couched at least in a few places once the twisting was done (or perhaps as it was being done?). These veins are long enough that they would have a tendency to lift off the surface, easily snagging on things, unless they were fairly well anchored down. Just being anchored at the base and tip doesn't seem quite enough to do that. I'm guessing that the couching was done only on the part of the twisted gold that would have been "underneath" -- perhaps also providing a track to keep the twists fairly even. I was lucky enough to see the jacket that the embroidery patterns are coming from on display at the V&A musuem some years ago — and to take some very closeup photos. I’ve checked out my pictures for the veins, and think they must have also been couched at least in a few places once the twisting was done (or perhaps as it was being done?). These veins are long enough that they would have a tendency to lift off the surface, easily snagging on things, unless they were fairly well anchored down. Just being anchored at the base and tip doesn’t seem quite enough to do that. I’m guessing that the couching was done only on the part of the twisted gold that would have been “underneath” — perhaps also providing a track to keep the twists fairly even.

]]> By: Jon Austin http://www.plimoth.org/embroidery-blog/2008/08/12/experimental-archeology/comment-page-1/#comment-1922 Jon Austin Wed, 13 Aug 2008 18:55:41 +0000 http://www.plimoth.org/embroidery-blog/?p=723#comment-1922 Hello Tricia and Jill, I'm a museum professional and Mayflower descendant, and I first learned of the project through a short article in the "Mayflower Quarterly". Despite my somewhat late introduction, I've become fascinated with the progress of the jacket and the dedication and skill of all of the stitchers for whom this clearly has become a labor of love. Much to my sincere disappointment, I won't be able to attend the General Congress in September to observe any of the actual work in progress. I applaude your efforts to tackle the project; in MHO, the finished jacket should be stunning. Based upon your research and input from the curatorial staff at PP, could a garment such as this have been worn in Plymouth? If so, has there been any speculation as to which woman or women might have owned such a stellar work? Many thanks from a fellow professional in the field for tackling this important project. Best regards, JA Hello Tricia and Jill,

I’m a museum professional and Mayflower descendant, and I first learned of the project through a short article in the “Mayflower Quarterly”. Despite my somewhat late introduction, I’ve become fascinated with the progress of the jacket and the dedication and skill of all of the stitchers for whom this clearly has become a labor of love. Much to my sincere disappointment, I won’t be able to attend the General Congress in September to observe any of the actual work in progress. I applaude your efforts to tackle the project; in MHO, the finished jacket should be stunning. Based upon your research and input from the curatorial staff at PP, could a garment such as this have been worn in Plymouth? If so, has there been any speculation as to which woman or women might have owned such a stellar work? Many thanks from a fellow professional in the field for tackling this important project. Best regards, JA

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