Button holes, that is what I was referring to more than seams. I totally
misread that post then. I thought she was talking about the button holes. :(
Yes, you are correct, they were couched for decoration. I also have never
seen them used going through fabric or leather other than to anchor for lace
cuffs an then it was the wire form not the thread form. My personal
experience is only with gloves. If it was precious metal, it was couched or
added in some similar fashion.
Where I am extracting my thoughts from is this:
http://medievalbeads.com/docs/items/12th-germie-parchement.html I chatted
with her about the missing bits of thread and beads. She had some
interesting comments based on the documentation that she read in books as
well as with the textile experts in the area.
I am certain that she could speak to this so much better than I about the
removal of precious metal threads that were used for decoration.
----- Original Message -----
From: "Robin Netherton" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: "Historical Costume" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Sent: Wednesday, August 16, 2006 1:08 PM
Subject: Re: [h-cost] Lack of thread in extant garments
On Wed, 16 Aug 2006, Chiara Francesca Arianna d'Onofrio wrote:
It may not have been linen but a precious metal thread and it may have
been removed. Not sure how they could test for it though.
I have never heard of any instances in which precious metal thread is used
for structural seams. Even in embroidery, precious metal thread is
typically couched (laid on top of the fabric and held down with stitching
of a non-metal thread), as the act of repeatedly passing the metal thread
through fabric tends to strip the metal wrapping off the thread core.
My knowledge is limited, and strictly medieval in any case. I'd be curious
whether anyone knows of examples of metal thread used for seams.
--Robin
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