I received my needlepoint kit from Beth Russell on Friday! I was so excited that I took pictures of the kit when it arrived. Right now I'm working on the leaves and vines in the design (they're the easiest part--the shading on the birds and flowers is more complex and I don't want to mess it up). I'm also looking forward to doing the actual trellis part, which uses the Gobelin stitch, something I haven't tried before.
Now that I have the design in my hands, I'm struck with how Medieval the pattern is, but also by how Japanese it looks. Perhaps it's from looking at all of the Japanese designs from Liberty yesterday, but I'm starting to notice that a lot of Arts and Crafts style is very influenced by Japanese design.
Here you can see where I've started stitching on the leaves! The design didn't fit on my frame properly, so I've had to turn it the other way. You can get a bit of a sense of the texture this way. I may have to take it easy with my stitching for the next few days--my wrist is killing me from what I've done so far--I'm thinking I'm much better suited to writing about art than I am to producing it!
Hope everyone has had a beautiful weekend!
Sunday, February 10, 2008
New Needlepoint Project
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7 comments:
I'd love to find out from you how much time you think the average (ok, complete noob) to needlework would take to complete a Morris pillow like that. The kits are so gorgeous but I'd hate to buy one and then just have it sit around abandoned. :)
It looks lovely so far!
This looks lovely. It looks like Appleton wool in the kit - its very nice to work with. Remember to only use lengths of wool, as long as from your fingers to elbow - that way the wool doesnt wear, and you dont get as sore from all the stitching. I was reading only recently about the influence of Japanese art on the art and craft movement (japonaise)- perhaps it was about ceramics - but I cant remember the source.
good luck with this. Looking forward to seeing your progess o this
What a lovely canvas and beautiful yarn! You are so right about the confluence of oriental and medieval in Arts & Crafts. Historically speaking, though, interpretation of oriental themes is also characteristic of Medieval art. Emphasis on Victorian Empire and Romanticism is not merely nostalgic, but revisits Medieval streams of Islamic and Eastern art, incorporating themes that reflect the Oriental craze of the Victorian age. Morris grounded modern taste in historical interpretations that go back to early interpretations of Eastern art by European craftsmen.
Its funny about the influences in Arts and Crafts, in furniture the Eastern US makers, Stickely, Limbert, the Roycrofters et al. took their clue from the Europeans, then later with the Western makers especially Greene and Greene, the influence was truly Japanese. You can see it in the soft rounding and cloudlifts in their furniture. And surely, Japanese art fits well in an arts and crafts home. Can't wait to see the finished piece.
Oh my! that is absolutely gorgeous! I'm looking forward to seeing the finished result. ~ Lynda xo
That is gorgeous! I am mad, mad, mad about Arts & Crafts. I have nine antique Japanese handblock prints found at Liberty (not at the same time). They blend beautifully, not only with Arts & Crafts, but with French antiques and numerous other styles.
Have you finished this needlepoint yet?
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