Cube embroidery update

I've pretty much finished the work on my new cube pincushion and have today stuffed it with off-cuts of wool (taken off sample pages from www.medeltidsmode.se) and closed it up. Only it's not exactly a cube. I added a line of plain fabric between each pattern and when I stitched the cross shape together on four edges there is a doubling of space between the sides, while on the other eight edges there's just a single space. Which means it's not exactly a cube, but fairly close.

I also knew when I started that I wanted to finish the edges with trim, or braid or similar string-decoration. Either braided or fingerlooped. Probably fingerlooped. I have just started and made the first lace to go on there, but it's not very wide, because the silk thread is fairly thin, so I will have to apply several rows of the lace. I think it's going to look good in the end. At least I hope so :) I have photos of all the finished sides, except the Drachenwald populace badge.

Initials LT :

Nordmark populace badge:

My arms:

House Three Scissors and Duck:

Brighthelm Household:

Tags: embroidery, pictures, pincushion cube

( 9 comments — Leave a comment )

hlwoods

2012-02-09 03:38 pm (UTC)

As a different way of joining squares, have you considered biscornus? The simplest version uses 2 squares, but one lady showed me a version with 15 which was pretty.

In the 2 square biscornu, the squares are joined in an offset, so that the edge of square A is sewn to the second half of one edge of B, and then the first half of the following edge. The result, after stuffing, is an interesting octagonal shape.

liadethornegge

2012-02-09 07:21 pm (UTC)

I haven't really thought of that, no. I know how to make a two square one, I've seen them here and there on the 'net and elsewhere. But I'm intrigued how you make one with more than one square! If you have any links on that, please send them my way.

2012-02-09 09:33 pm (UTC)

I don't have a link for them, sadly, but lady Isa showed hers to me, and I think I can explain. Sorta. In her method, sides are sewn flush with sides.

The top and bottom each consist of 5 squares sewn so they have a point in common. The result is a (non-flat) five petalled flower kind of deal. Then 5 more squares are used to join the top and bottom; each square in the middle is joined to two adjacent squares top and bottom.

End result depends on stuffing: if you stuff them as full as possible (resulting in a very round pincushion), or stuff them much less and sew a button in the center (resulting in a toroidal.pincushion)

She uses tiny squares about an inch to a side, with black work stitching, and I wish my camera worked. Or that I was going to get one of these in a Gulf Wars gift basket. :)

2012-02-10 07:51 am (UTC)

Hmm. I did some googling and think I found the shape you describe. They do look cute, but not sure how period they are exactly. Maybe if I make one as a present for someone mundanely I'll use that idea. But probably just the "regular" 2-square biscornu.

I wanted to make a cube because I wanted a pincushion where I didn't have to move the pins from the top to the sides for storage when I transported it. My old one is only about two fingers deep so if I stick a pin in the top it pokes out the bottom. So I just started from what I had, a square top half an inch thick, and added an inch and a half thickness to get a cube. Plus I already had a couple of embroidery patterns that size so only had to create four more.

I have seen larger pincushions on portraits of 16th/17th century ladies in their chamber, but they tend to be more rectangular while still deep enough that you can leave the pins in. Next one I make will probably be that sort of shape.

2012-02-10 11:28 am (UTC)

I'm not sure the regular biscornus are period either; I've never found a source that dates them.

I understand what you mean about depth though; that makes perfect sense.

maryf

2012-02-09 05:38 pm (UTC)

Looks really good!

2012-02-09 07:23 pm (UTC)

Thanks. I'm having fun with it. Mostly brick stitch and variants, but the scissors/duck is detatched buttonhole with stuffing. That was lots of fun to do, and I want to try more!

bend_gules

2012-02-10 12:11 pm (UTC)

Good grief - you won't want to stick pins in it, and nor will anyone else! It's too nice.

2012-02-11 08:57 am (UTC)

Heh. Sure I will! Pins don't do anything to the threads after all. I only push them through and pull them out again, not scraping or tugging cross-grain. I have my other pincushion that I've used for over a year now and nothing at all has happened to the fully embroidered surface :)

S	M	T	W	T	F	S
		1	2	3	4	5
6	7	8	9	10	11	12
13	14	15	16	17	18	19
20	21	22	23	24	25	26
27	28	29	30	31

liadethornegge

Lia's Projects Blog

Sewing, illumination and crafts in the SCA