#38,39: Two Tasselled Danglies
These were made using a Silkstone Design kit, “Tasselled Trimmers”, that I found when cleaning my craft room last week. They could be used as scissors fobs or pincushions. I thought they’d make nice a nice little addition to our Baroness’s gift box.
They are worked in DMC cotton in black and maroon on antique white Lugana, using back stitch and cross stitch.
The original design used a blue blending filament, but I decided to leave that out and add gold spangles instead to add a little sparkle.
#37: Six Stars for the Royal Regalia
A quick little project for part of the regalia for the incoming King and Queen of Lochac.
Six stars stem stitched with DMC Perle 3 on linen. Each star was then appliqued onto sashes for various members of the Royal Court.
Together, Lady Ydeneya de Baillencourt, Lady Ilaria de Vale, Lady Anne of Gyllingeham and I (members of House Annwn) completed 15 Stars as a household project.
#36: Needlepoint Scissors Case
This cute little strawberry fruits and flowers needlepoint was actually a kit that I bought from a swap meet. I thought it was rather sweet. The scissors case is patterned on both sides.
It is worked with 2 strands of Paternayan yarn on 14 count canvas, and is lined with felted wool to protect the scissor points.
I’ll be giving this one to our Baroness for her gift box.
#35: Kneeling Cushion
This needlepoint tapestry is to be one of a pair of a kneeling cushions for the Canton (now Shire) of Abertridwr. The final style of the cushion is not yet decided, so just the needlework has been done at this stage.
The second cushion is being worked by Lady Anne of Gyllingeham.
Worked in continental stitch with basketweave back, using DMC Tapisserie wool on 12 count canvas.
#34: Beaded Baroness’s Favour
This is my first attempt at beaded embroidery – stringing the beads and then couching them down with cotton thread. This certainly was a learning curve. It is quite challenging deciding which direction to lay the beads, and to get the beads to lie flat without bumping up. Much unpicking and persistance was involved. I actually nearly gave up on this one!
It was stitched on a double layer of linen, using 15/0 Miyuki opaque seed beads from Over the Rainbow.
The swan is outlined and filled in with beads, and that worked well. I tried doing the same for the sun’s rays part but this led to awkward spaces between the beads where the rows changed directions. No matter which way I tried, it looked bad. So I settled for beading the rest in simple rows. The edging is a series of 5-bead angled loops, which finished the edges of the piece quite nicely.
#33: Mamluk Sash
A pattern darned Mamluk Sash, worked as Royal Presentation gift to Qadiya Shayka Lilya bint Hizir on behalf of the Worshipful Company of Broderers (WCOB) of Lochac.
This piece was based on extant samples in the Ashmolean Museum.
Worked in silk on an uneven weave linen with a bachstitched border and pattern darned diamond trellis.
I am honoured to announce that this piece was judged to be a Masterwork by the members of the Worshipful Company of Broderers.
#30,31,32: Three Baroness’s Favours
The Baroness of Aneala needed three Favours for the Baronial Guardsmen, so I offered to make them for her.
They are based on the arms of Aneala and feature the sun setting over the sea, with crossed sword, rapier and arrow in the top section.
Worked in split stitch in two strands of silk on 32 count evenweave linen.
I’d normally use finer linen and one strand of silk, but these favours generally hang off a fighter’s belt, get bashed, hit and rained on, so they needed to be sturdy!
#20-29: Ten Mouse Guard Pouches
The Kingdom of Lochac has an award called the Mouse Guard – given in recognition of the contribution given to our Kingdom by children between the ages of 4 and 13 years. Each recipient of the award is given a Mouse Guard pouch.
I have made ten Mouse Guard pouches, however I forgot to take photos. I’ll make some more soon so that I can show you a pic!
They are worked in chain stitch using white Appleton’s wool, on a red woollen ground. The pouches are finished with 20 hand-worked eyelets per pouch, two red and white twisted cords to pull the pouch closed, a hanging cord and two tassels.
#18,19: Two Heraldic Napkins
A pair of napkins as a gift for our Baron and Baroness.
The hemstitching done with Gutermann linen thread and the devices in split stitch with one strand of Madeira silk. Worked on 40 count Newcastle linen.
This is the finest split stitch that I have done so far, and am now officially hooked on using one strand of silk! I love the sheen of the silk and the patterns it makes as it changes direction.
Learning Curve: Even tho Newcastle linen was the finest evenweave they had in the store, it was too coarse. Next time use a much finer non-even weave if necessary.
#17: Petit Point ‘Pelican in her Piety’
The pattern is from Appleton Studios, and inspiration for the original design was a stained glass window in a church in southeastern France.
I stitched this Pelican in her Piety for Mistress Liduina de Kasteelen van Valkenburg when she was admitted into the Order of the Pelican. It is now securely sewn to the front of her cloak.
Needleworkes 