Thistle-Threads

Gilt Sylke Twist Grapes

This project uses gilt sylke twist to form a cluster of detached buttonhole grapes perched on a leaf stitched in silver sylke twist. Grapes in the 17th century were stitched in contrasting colors or materials to help define the shapes.

Glittering Snail

The snail is a faithful copy of the original from a small snail found on the glove (BATMC GLO-23342A) owned by the Gloves Collection Trust housed in the Fashion Museum in Bath, England.

Rainbow Silk Purl Bug

This project uses silk wrapped purls in the three typical raised techniques used to fill in areas using silk purls. During the 17th century and into the 18th century, figures such as flowers and bugs and tree canopies were filled with silk purls.

Pink Silk Purl Bug

This project uses silk wrapped purls in a filling couching technique that was used often on caskets. During the 17th century and into the early 18th century, figures such as flowers and bugs and tree canopies were filled with silk purls.

Green Butterfly Pincushion

This pin pad is a quick little project using a stitchable gilt thread made by Benton and Johnson . Based upon a 17th century embroidery piece with motifs scatted all over the surface, this little butterfly is a ubiquitous motif from the period.

Strawberry Gobelin Fob

This project is based on a spot sampler in my collection. Examples of cushions worked in silver or silver gilt gobelin backgrounds usually have small queen stitch motifs arranged in patterns such as this.