Wed Apr 8, 2020 11:38 PM

I’m in project mode, so you get a peek at what I’m working on and the patterns that inspired it. I’m doing a pattern darned band to use as garters for my current dress project. The pattern is from Quentel’s _Ein new kunstlich Modelbuch_. The largest reason for the choice was I needed something about 18 stitches wide to fit the premade banding I’m using. I wanted something with a knot or interlace to match the outfit it goes with. It also needed to have even amounts of positive and negative space and not have more than 5 or 6 stitches in a row to make it relatively easy to use the pattern darning technique, as I am a novice. https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/354658

As I’m using a pattern darning technique and an early pattern, I thought I’d point those interested in it to the earlier roots of both. While I know that many of the early designs appear in textiles from Islamic Egypt, I’ve tried to not go too far into that research. It is fascinating , but I’m afraid I’ll get involved in it and never get back to my focus. I am, however, currently reading Marian Ellis’ book _Embroideries and Samplers from Islamic Egypt_ just for a little bit of basic background. If you’re interested, I recommend it. Not to mention the beautiful textiles at the Ashmolean. One to start with is accession number EA1984.490. http://collections.ashmolean.org/object/238274