Flosstube: Ornamentations #14 - The Very Big WIP, blocking, and tackling your finishes

Ornamentations (noun): 2. That in which the process of ornamenting is embodied; the ornaments which adorn a thing collectively; ornament in general

Or, in music, the grace notes that embellish a melodic line.

@kstrachanembroidery on Instagram

Details and a full materials list for the Simple Harmony SAL, #simpleharmonySAL, can be found here: https://katie-strachan.com/simple-harmony-1
Please continue to share your progress photos, either by using the hashtag and tagging me on Instagram, or by reaching out directly: https://katie-strachan.com/contact

This episode features my largest WIP, and the necessity of blocking, as demonstrated in my most recent Simple Harmony tutorial, #8 Blocking and preparing your embroidery.  This applies whether you are stitching Simple Harmony, or doing your own framing.  As discussed in this episode, proper blocking or stitching with tension is one of the easiest ways to improve your stitching and finishes. 

The book on caskets I held up is Twixt Art and Nature: English Embroidery at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, 1580-1700.  It is long out of print but a free, authorized PDF download of the book can be found here: https://store.bgc.bard.edu/english-embroidery-in-the-metropolitan-museum-1580-1700-twixt-art-and-nature-edited-by-melinda-watt-and-andrew-morrall/

As previously referenced in my flosstubes, my journey with caskets began with Thistle Threads' online Cabinet of Curiosities course, which is currently rerunning.  CoC and the dedicated casket project classes can be found here: https://thistle-threads.myshopify.com/collections/online-university

The two referenced Met caskets are Cabinet with Scenes from the Life of Joseph: https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/226422
And Cabinet with Scenes from the Life of Esther: https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/229034

The Fenton House casket which inspired some of the elements on this panel can be seen here: https://www.nationaltrustcollections.org.uk/object/1448759.1

Needle in a Haystack sells slate frames (scroll down to slate frames on the link), as does Thistle Threads:
http://www.needlestack.com/WebStore/Accessories/Frames.html
https://thistle-threads.myshopify.com/collections/frames

And a Lowery floor stand can be purchased from Hobby House: https://hobbyhouseneedleworks.com/collections/needlework-stands