Resources and Weblinks

Resources & Web Links
Metal Thread

If there are any links you would like to see added to this page, please contact the Guild Web Minister.

The stitches below are of just a few of those which were used during the period covered by the SCA. The stitches are organized according to the Sojourner categories on the Guild Programs page.

The West Kingdom Needleworkers Guild is only suggesting these sites for your information. We do not endorse these sites, nor is the Guild in any way responsible for the content of these pages. It is better whenever possible to consult books on historic needlework and a Guild Mentor.

Metal Thread

(a.) surface couching

(b.) or nué

(c.) bullion work

(d.) underside couching

(e.) other

We haven't exhausted the search for web sites with useful information, this is just a start...

If you know of any additional websites with information on SCA-period stitches, please contact the Guild Minister.
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Metal Thread -- surface couching

How-To Stitch Sources

Medieval/Renaissance Embroidery
http://medieval.webcon.net.au/technique_stitches.html#surface_couching

Goldwork: An Introduction to Metal Thread and Bullion Embroidery Techniques
by Sabrina de la Bere
www.bayrose.org/needlework/Goldwork.rev04-PM-1.pdf
General discussion of materials & techniques

Information on Historical Techniques

Opus Anglicanum (English Work or how to paint with a needle)
Lady Acacia d'Navarre, Lochac
http://www.sca.org.au/st_florians/artisan/embroidery/opus.htm
nice overview of Opus, includes discussion of choosing & planning a design

Actual Historical Textiles and Patterns

Cleveland Museum of Art
Scenes of the Life of the Virgin, from an Altar Frontal
Italy, Florence, 14th century -- 1330s or 1340s
http://www.clevelandart.org/explore/work.asp?searchText=Altar+Frontal&ctl00%24ctl00%24ctrlHeader%24btnSearch=go&recNo=0&tab=2&display=
metal thread couched down in brick pattern

Historically Inspired Patterns and Pieces

Almoner's Purse, French, circa 1340
by Joyce Miller
http://www.doctorbeer.com/joyce/emb/almpouch/almpouch.htm
photos of author’s completed pouch, based on historical illustrations, plus photos of extant pieces
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Metal Thread -- or nué

How-To Stitch Sources

Know of a web site with directions on how to do or nué?
Please, send it to the Guild Minister

Information on Historical Techniques

Medieval/Renaissance Embroidery
http://www.advancenet.net/jscole/ornue.html
general discussion of the technique, plus a crude pattern (to illustrate the basic concept)

House Marsvin (in Lochac)
Class notes on Or Nué embroidery
http://www.forest.gen.nz/Medieval/articles/embroidery/ornue.pdf
has a couple BW close-up of examples

Actual Historical Textiles and Patterns

Historical Needlework Resources
http://medieval.webcon.net.au/technique_or_nue.html
description of the technique + several photos of extant pieces

Cleveland Museum of Art
Embroidery from an Altar Frontal: Coronation of the Virgin
    Italy, Florence, possibly 1459
Velvet Chasuble with Embroidered Decoration
     England (embroidery) and Italy (velvet), 1500-1520
http://www.clemusart.com/exhibcef/splendor/html/5207443.html
http://www.clevelandart.org/explore/work.asp?searchText=1953.129&x=3&y=9&recNo=0&tab=2&display=
can zoom in on the items & get a pretty good idea of what the or nue is supposed to look like

SEZIONI RESTAURO

The Magi Cope, on display in the Waterford Museum of Treasures in Ireland
Irish Arts Review
http://www.irishartsreview.com/html/vol21_no1/cope/feature_cope.htm
click on photos to see enlargements

Metropolitan Museum of Art
Works of Art: The Cloisters
Embroidery with the Annunciation, mid-15th century, Netherlandish
http://www.metmuseum.org/
  link broken, can see full photo + very good closeups

Opus Anglicanum (Chasuble), late 15th century, English
Link moved, if you know where, please contact the Guild Minister.

Anne Wanner's Textiles in History
http://www.annatextiles.ch/book_rev/rev2004/r2204lisa/r2204li.htm
photos of chausibles; good closeup of a piece at bottom of page, shows the stitching

Historically Inspired Patterns and Pieces

Know of a web site with patterns of period style or nué?
Please, send it to the Guild Minister.
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Metal Thread -- bullion work

How-To Stitch Sources

How to use Bullions
 http://www.berlinembroidery.com/bullions.htm
photos of samples in how to use

http://www.berlinembroidery.com/metalthreadglossary.htm
links to photos of the different types, so you can see what they look like

Goldwork: An Introduction to Metal Thread and Bullion Embroidery Techniques
by Sabrina de la Bere
www.bayrose.org/needlework/Goldwork.rev04-PM-1.pdf
General discussion of materials & techniques

Information on Historical Techniques

Know of a web site with information on period style bullion work?

Actual Historical Textiles and Patterns

Know of a web site with photos or other information on period style bullion work?

Historically Inspired Patterns and Pieces

Know of a web site with patterns of period style bullion work?
Please, send it to the Guild Minister

 
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Metal Thread -- underside couching

How-To Stitch Sources

http://www.kipar.org/baroque-costumes/costumes_embroidery.html

Medieval/Renaissance Embroidery
 http://medieval.webcon.net.au/technique_stitches.html#under_couching

Class Handout -- Opus Anglicanum Embroidery
 Alianora Munro, Atlantia
http://aeg.atlantia.sca.org/classes/opusanglicanum.pdf
general description, simple illustration of basic technique

Information on Historical Techniques

Goldwork Embroidery  (article only, no photos)
Lady Sarra Romney (Northshield)
http://www.geocities.com/renzee364/gwandopang.html
good overview of goldwork through the time period

Actual Historical Textiles and Patterns

Metropolitan Museum of Art
Works of Art: Antonio Ratti Textile Center 
Chasuble (Opus Anglicanum), Chasuble, ca. 1330-1350 English; England
http://www.metmuseum.org/works_of_art/viewone.asp?dep=20&viewmode=0&item=27%2E162%2E1
Silver and silver-gilt thread and colored silks in underside couching, split stitch, laid-and-couched work, and raised work, with pearls on velvet

Australian National University ArtServe
V&A Museum photos
 http://rubens.anu.edu.au/new/england/london/museums/victoria_and_albert/textiles/western_mediaeval/
Part of an English cope, 1310-40.  Silk twill embr. w/ metal threads & silk in underside couching, split stitch, some raised work
*some photos are blurry, others are excellent closeups, can really see the stitches

Historically Inspired Patterns and Pieces

Goldwork Sampler-- Lady Sarra Romney (Northshield)
http://www.geocities.com/renzee364/samplertext.html
text Info on a sampler of goldwork styles. (no photos)
http://www.geocities.com/renzee364/gldsamp.jpg
a photo of the sampler itself.

Gothic Art for England, 1400 – 1547
 Embroidery
http://www.vam.ac.uk/vastatic/microsites/1220_gothic/craftsperson.php
Featured craftsperson (w/ photos for completing a fleur-de-lis with goldwork & stem stitch)

 
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Other Counted Thread Sources

AGuide to Goldwork
http://medieval.webcon.net.au/technique_goldwork.html

Or Nue Embroidery
http://www.bellaonline.com/ArticlesP/art59009.asp

 

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Guild Webminister: Jocelyn of Rowenwood
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This web page last updated on 9-21-09.