The Saddest Day Ever

My furry helper's condition worsened rapidly overnight and this morning we had to make the hard decision to hasten her departure. I miss her terribly already. She has been helped me on every project since 2003, and I have lots of un-posted pictures and projects to share. I hope that you won't mind if I hold off on posting for a little while. I can't imagine any sort of sewing or handwork without her, and it's too raw to relive the memories just at the moment.

Repurposed Tatted Lace Partlet

One of the projects I have on the go at the moment is a bit of an experiment. I found a fabulous but tatty vintage lace runner at a thrift shop and snapped it up. It has a diamond pattern with little roses and I think it is tatted (which is out of period) but passes for neeedle lace.

The piece had a few rust stains, but with some careful laundering I managed to brighten it up. I cut the piece to use the two parts as the front panels of a collarless partlet. I managed to use the pretty edging on the central parts and avoid most of the remaining rust marks.

I made the back part of the parlet up in linen and hand hemmed it with a small hem. I pinned the tatted panels in place. I will trim the excess tatting on the outer edge (which will be hidden by my gown) and trim with binding. I have a couple of colour options waiting to be tested for the binding as matching the colour is difficult.

I have been pretty busy with projects for other people lately, so this one is sitting in the to-do pile, but I am looking forward to getting it finished as I really love the tatted piece and it makes me happy to think that some other ladies' hand work is getting a new lease on life and will be admired rather than languishing in a bin of ugly doilies.

A quick update after a long absence

Wow, I knew it had been a while since I posted, but I wouldn't have said it was over a month!
Obviously I've been busy. I have been sick on and off, but also crazy busy with projects.
A lot has happened, SCA wise. Big changes; all for the good. Time for a bit of self reflection on how I play the game and which direction I want to head in. A real appreciation for my SCA group who are really good friends and who support me and make me feel valued.
Some projects finished, new ones started, and a few that just seem to go on and on and on!
I have been taking photos as usual and I will get some new posts up very soon.