I have enrolled in the Thistle Threads Online University course for the Floral Glove Needlecase. I am so excited, I just can't wait for my goodies to arrive.
I had previously purchased a Silk Covered Purl Variety Packfrom Thistle threads thanks to a tip of from Mary Corbett at Needle n'Threads. The sample pack contained 1 yard of multicoloured silk covered purls. These new threads are copper wire wrapped with filament silk and then coiled over a mandrel into a purl.
I haven't used them yet but just had to have some for future use, especially when I found out they were a limited production line. I notice that one of the colours has already sold out!
While I was ordering the purls, I browsed the Thistle Threads site and signed up for their newsletter and when the newsletter about the online classes came through I just had to sign up.
Three things appealed to me about the classes.
- It is on-line! I have been searching for on-line goldwork classes for ages, having emailed the UK embroiderers guild, who referred me onto Tracy Franklin but with no luck.
- The project uses a number of threads I haven't used - lizardine and gilt bullion, threads which are rarely used in contemporary embroidery. The emphasis in the project is on the use of the gold threads and wires rather than the surface embroidery.
- The project was inspired by 17th century professionally worked gloves of the Stuart era. I can't wait to absorb myself in this piece of history and experience the techniques used in this era.
And just in case I thought I might have missed out on anything in this project, I have also enrolled in the Tudor and Stuart Gold Master Class which incorporates 28 metal thread stitches in three projects. This project starts in April and looks very challenging. Take a look - there is a 3 1/2 minute video which showcases the projects and gives an example of the animated stitch library.
I am really looking forward to sharing my "adventures" with you as I progress through these projects.
