Dear Knitting Arachnes, A British fiber artist, Jan Messent, has published many interesting books. I counted 13 on embroidery on the shelf, and 3 on unusual knitting. In the knitting books are some projects that would make great "mascots" for lacemakers. Might inspire adaptations using lace techniques.
1986 "Have You Any Wool?" Search Press (animals, vegetables, little people) 1989 "Wool 'n Magic" Search Press 0-85532-702-2 (incredible textures/colors) 1992 "Knitted Historical Figures" Search Press 0-85532-747-2 (includes knitted lace elements, such as Queen Elizabeth I's ruff-collar) On the embroidery side of my library, there is a 1999 Messent book "The Bayeux Tapestry Embroiderers' Story", published by Madeira Threads, 0-951-634852. My library has quite a few books on the Bayeux Tapestry. This is a favorite because Jan Messent presents what is imagined the missing panel might have covered as subject matter. I like, too, the history, the story of whom the original designer might have been, whom the embroiderers might have been, an explanation of a nunnaminster in Anglo-Saxon times, the materials (including dyes), and the techniques --- all from a 20th Century woman's perspective after having studied the subject of the well-known tapestry (actually an embroidery) in depth. Suggestion: It is easier to read the printed text at the back, than the hand-written text that accompanies artwork. Ironically, it is just as difficult to dig through history to unveil the story of this famous tapestry as it is to get to the bottom of our lace mysteries! Eerie that Tess would have recommended (two days ago) a book to add to my library on this subject! If you want to check it out on Amazon, it is "A Needle in the Right Hand of God: The Norman Conquest of 1066 and the Making and Meaning of the Bayeux Tapestry" Hardcover by R. Howard Bloch, 2006. Eerie that Antje wrote about the Lace Museum today, and that most of us would, given the choice, go to see both the laces and the tapestry if in Bayeux. If you find this of sufficient interest, the least costly way to explore in depth is to seek books at your local library or via Inter-Library Loan. The history of creative women of the past is difficult to reconstruct. Messent's approach may inspire you. Jeri Ames in Maine USA Lace and Embroidery Resource Center ************************************** Get a sneak peek of the all-new AOL at http://discover.aol.com/memed/aolcom30tour - To unsubscribe send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] containing the line: unsubscribe lace [EMAIL PROTECTED] For help, write to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
