Comments on: Backs!

By: Lia

Lia — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 16:46:20 +0000

Ooh! Excellent photos. Thank you for taking and posting them. It really is interesting to see the backside as well as the front. Knowing, as we do, how careful you’ve researched the stitches and methods this is quite close to seeing the back of the period pieces as well.

Just look at the economy of usage. All the thread possible is left on the front, not an inch more than needed wasted on the back.

Thank you.

By: Julia

Julia — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 05:29:45 +0000

How fascinating – I assume the embroidered jackets were lined, to protect the thread from unravelling, catching, or even just scratching the owner?

By: Catherine K

Catherine K — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 14:20:08 +0000

Oooo, thanks for the pics! It really is interesting to see the backs and how the different stitches look on the reverse. No wonder there was so much detached buttonhole on these, very little wasted thread on the back.

And I think we used Deb’s thin wire needle threader a couple of times to wrestle down some of those loose ends at the last silk session. Worked like a charm.

By: coral-seas

coral-seas — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 10:33:40 +0000

Thanks for showing the backs. I found it very interesting. I suppose I should have expected it but I was surprised at how little silk there is on the back. I was also surprised at the reverse of the gold braid, the back is so simple in relation to all that is going on on the front

In Japanese Embroidery we use a sinking needle (a sling or lasso) to sick the ends of goldwork but they are also very useful for return stray ends to the reverse!

By: Lynn

Lynn — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 04:41:27 +0000

Thanks so much for showing the backs. It’s amazing how little there is on the backs. Must make burying the threads challenging.

By: Colleen

Colleen — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 14:39:52 +0000

Isn’t it amazing when you learn something new, then see it everywhere? I looked at a page of extant knitted mittens…and there was lots of embroidery, silk and metal, and the gold plaited braid, just like on the jacket! I was so excited, because I’d never noticed that stuff before, and now I’ve got the instructions!