• New wristers pattern underway

    So November is here and there’s snow arriving in Huron County. It’s time to return to mitten knitting. It’s been years since I’ve made mittens; about 20 in fact. But, I’ve been thinking about a history-inspired stranded mitten pattern and I can’t get the colour-work idea out of my mind. The fair isle portion (see next post) that I plan…

  • FACTS Gallery working session: heirloom patterns Oct. 26 at 1pm

      Just a quick update: FACTS Gallery Blyth   This Sat., October 26, I’ll be back in the FACTS gallery from 1 to 5 pm working on my latest projects and test swatches for the ‘dress of many patterns’ project. If you are into heirloom needlework patterns, pop in for a chat, I’d love to talk stitches. Feel free to…

  • Silk test samples on the needles

    October update: silk on the needles

    Greetings and a happy October to you! It’s been a very long time since I’ve been able to sit down and add an update to the blog. What a beautiful autumn it’s been so far! So much lovely sunshine – perfect weather for fall hikes and finishing up the last of the backyard work. As for me and my knitting……

  • Heirloom museum textiles

    In past centuries, women crafted heirloom needlework and textiles that were practical and beautiful, combining function with artistic expression. These beautiful household textiles from the 19th Century are today rare, yet the Huron County Museum and Historic Gaol, in Goderich, is fortunate to feature many pieces, including two counterpanes (one knitted, the other crocheted), a knitted bureau scarf, a crocheted…

  • Test knit swatches in silk and wool

    A fibre decision made

    A fibre decision has been made. And the choice is… There were many test swatches done and fibres tested until there were three top choices. And then, after some further testing and planning, the choice has been narrowed to two fibres: 100% silk wool / silk blend   The shawl will be a ‘swatch sampler’, consisting of knitted or crocheted squares…

  • The quest for sheen begins

    The search for the right fibre for the wedding dress recreation is underway. For the first time ever, I find myself trying to knit with silk in the quest for a sheen to match the lovely shine of a vintage wedding dress dating from 1911. The lace-weight silk yarn in my test swatch has a lovely shine. I’ve never worked…

  • History of Tomato Pin Cushions

    Metal pins are an invaluable tool for today’s needleworker and seamstress, and they were no less so for sewers throughout history. With pins came a variety of ways to store them, including boxes, cases and cushions. 15th-Century Debut The first reference to the tomato pin cushion appears in the 15th century. Before this, as metal pins were rare and expensive,…

  • A dress of many patterns

    Hi, everyone! Today on the blog it’s all about the wedding dress recreation project: a dress of many patterns. Last month, I shared the idea of recreating a vintage wedding dress from the collection of the Huron County Museum & Historic Gaol. The plan is to recreate the basic pattern of the dress using swatches of recreated needlework items. So,…

  • wedding dress dated from 1911

    Let’s stitch some history

    Would you like to stitch some history? Here’s a sneak peek at a new project in the works… Guess what I found in the database of the Huron County Museum? This simply lovely wedding dress dating from 1911. And why was I looking for a wedding dress? No, I’m not getting married. I’m already happily so. I was looking at the…

  • Stitchers invited!

    Hey, fellow stitchers, Would you like to create a wedding dress using stitched swatches of vintage textile items? In 2019, the Huron County Museum & Historic Gaol is planning a clothing textile exhibit! Creating a wedding dress using stitched recreations based on museum textile collection items would be a great way to join in the celebration. Whether you knit, crochet,…