"the exemplar"

Cross stitch was my first love before I chanced upon an exhibition of antique quilts; part of the extensive collection of Annette Gero. That was back in 1993...

This sampler was under construction back then and has been in storage for quite some time.

The exemplar or sampler has been in evidence since 1502 when Elizabeth of York paid 8 pennies for "lynnyn cloth for a sampler for the Queen".

In the 17th century samplers were generally long and narrow and served as repertoires of stitches and designs intended for future use, serving as a permanent record which could be easily rolled up and stored away.

This piece features bands of floral and geometric patterns in a variety of stitches. The alphabet is of the period and the verse taken from John Sibmacher's "Newes Modebuch"
originally published in 1604.

 

Last few bands to do!!

sunshine

Today was one of those gorgeous late summer days in Sydney...hot, just the remnants of last nights storm in the air...I finish work on Tuesdays at midday so took the opportunity to sit out on the open upper deck of the ferry going home...enjoying being a tourist in my own city.

Not much quilting happening. I've resurrected a cross stitch sampler which had been put away for absolutely AGES... It deserves to be finished and is very close now... Photo pending!

missing...

missing...in action

 

Work on the major project of 2011/12 has been put aside for a week or three in favour of my version of Di Ford's Drayton Hall.  Commenced back in September 2010 right after purchasing the pattern from Di at Quilts in the Barn, the centre hexagon stars and part of the broderie perse wreath was completed, then set aside (see my post here).

Ressurrected this past weekend, the broderie perse wreath is now completed, the scalloped border on,

and the little rosettes appliqued in place to complete the centre medallion. An extra row of hexagons was added to the tiny rosettes, I thought they looked a little too small... and the central star adjusted so it didn't spin.

A little judicious tea staining to some of the "whiter" pieces has helped them mix nicely with their neighboring flowers. A few John Hewson birds and butterflies found their way onto the wreath too.

Di designed the 1000+ diamonds within the extra wide border of the quilt to be machine pieced, but I can't bear the thought of slaving over a hot sewing machine when I could be hand piecing, so an order for bulk 60 degree diamonds was placed with Sue from Busy Fingers.  These papers are accurately cut from quality smooth paper stock, light but durable enough to be used again and again.  Now, to turn this...

.... into lots of these (1026 in fact)...I calculate I have about 300 more to cover, so should be able to start sewing the diamonds together by the end of the week.

missing...inaction

What of Jane Pizar you might ask?  After spending my time almost exclusively with Ms Pizar these past 12 months, we have had a trial separation...I'm not sure what happened.... there were unresolved issues we needed to work through.

One of her outer borders had been partly completed and I was not 100% sure I loved it.

It was the background fabric (a linen/cotton blend from No Chintz), however I felt it may have been a little rustic in comparison to the rest of the quilt, the colour is right, but it actually doesn't feel that nice...

After receiving some "couples counselling" from my tutor, Marg, at our Material Obsession workshop on Saturday, the border and I have been reconciled and I'm happy once again...

with a plan to work towards.

Hope you find time in your day for some sewing. k