Since the List is a bit quiet, Noelene tell us a bit more about your group's plans.
This is a HUGE project. On the webpage, I see that they are using an historically correct bonnet pattern, but it can be decorated in either authentic designs or modern designs. The sample pictures says embroidery with lace trim. At first thought, I wondered how many of the transported women would have had any lace of any kind on their bonnets.....and even how many had bonnets. However, the bonnet sample they used had a lace edging around the brim and the neck. Quote on bonnet details: "This bonnet pattern is from an 1860s colonial bonnet made of muslin, lace-trimmed with embroidery over top of bonnet. Christina's suggestion for materials to be used in the making of the bonnet would be muslin, or calico, or homespun or cotton or linen such as old linen sheets. The bonnets can be plain or fancy. If embroidery is used it could be candlewick stitching or other work from the period or it can be more contemporary. Christina would prefer the bonnet material to be cream or white but any decoration on the bonnets is up to the individual. Appliqué would be appropriate. Christina would like the name of the maker/s to be written on an inside hem of the bonnet. Bonnets can be made individually or collaboratively. The convict woman's name on the outside of the bonnet can be written on with craft pen, stitched, outlined with ribbon or buttons ... whatever the maker desires." End quote. It's true, my knowledge of Australian history is probably a bit sketchy. I've read bits and pieces in stories, and seen movies. I doubt the movies were exactly like the real thing. Noelene -- What kind of lace does your group think is appropriate for this project? The webpage requested decorating with hearts and roses. Would you use a lace pattern with hearts in it, for example? Or leave the hearts and roses to the embroidery and just make a narrow edging? Have you downloaded the pattern and measured the amount of lace needed per bonnet? Or just per brim? (The bonnet pages were not available when I tried. Maybe too many people were looking at them.) Many basic bonnets could be made in a group work session. From the picture, the pattern does not look difficult. Decorating would take some time. Would you accept lace donations to use on your bonnets? I'm sure I have some yardage, new or old, that would work. Do most of your group have a convict ancestor to claim, or are you adopting a group of names? I think I'll stop asking questions now. Alice in Oregon -- with a foggy, damp day ahead --- Noelene Lafferty <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > Our local lace group is going to participate in an > Tasmanian project to > commemorate the transportation of women convicts to > Australia, by making > some bonnets as worn by convict women of the period, > and decorating them with our lace. > > The artist organising this commemoration, Christina > Henri has a goal of > 25,000 bonnets by March 2008, and would welcome > contributions from anywhere in the world. > > You can find out more about it at > http://www.femalefactory.com.au/exhibit.htm#Roses - To unsubscribe send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] containing the line: unsubscribe lace [EMAIL PROTECTED] For help, write to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
