Re: [lace] Re: AQS/HLG lace display - long post
Hi Jane et al, +I think most general suppliers in the UK sell these bent pins and Lazy Susans - and yes - they do make life a lot easier. Carol - in Suffolk UK 'Deliver us, Lord, from every evil, and grant us peace in our day.' - Original Message - From: janer...@smartemail.co.uk To: lace@arachne.com Sent: Wednesday, April 28, 2010 12:01 PM Subject: [lace] Re: AQS/HLG lace display - long post a size 16 bent hook(manufactured that way and perfect for joinings so you don't have to struggle) - To unsubscribe send email to majord...@arachne.com containing the line: unsubscribe lace y...@address.here. For help, write to arachnemodera...@yahoo.com
[lace] Harriet Tubman shawl
For some reason, I seem to have become obsessed with the Harriet Tubman shawl, largely because it totally frustrates me that I cannot identify how it is made. So, I am spending way too much time thinking about it, while not doing things I ought to be doing. Although it is not my practice to invest too much credence in juvenile literature, there is a book entitled Harriet Tubman: Freedom Bound, by Janet Benge and Jeff Benge. Amazon is kind enough to let me read p. 189, where it says: In 1897 Harriet received a surprise parcel from England. The postman read aloud to her the letter that accompanied the package. The letter was from Queen Victoria of Great Britain, who wrote that she had read Sarah Bradford's book and wanted to honor Harriet with her Diamond Jubilee Medal and an invitation to visit her at the palace in London. Harriet was seventy-seven years old by now and thought she was too old for the trip, although she appreciated the invitation. The parcel also contained a beautiful black silk shawl, which Harriet placed around her shoulders and seldom took off. Regrettably the Benge's do not provide a source for this shawl description. The description of Victoria gifting a black silk shawl to Tubman also appears on a Canadian History site _http://www.doubledeckerbuses.org/pastyme/index.php/2007/03/16/harriet_tubman_davis#comments_ (http://www.doubledeckerbuses.org/pastyme/index.php/2007/03/16/harriet_tubman_davis#comments) , and some essay site _http://www.essaygalaxy.com/search.cgi?query=t%20s%20eliotstart=8210_ (http://www.essaygalaxy.com/search.cgi?query=t%20s%20eliotstart=8210) . Of course, these could all be based on some erroneous bit of information or on each other. None of these cites a source. Devon - To unsubscribe send email to majord...@arachne.com containing the line: unsubscribe lace y...@address.here. For help, write to arachnemodera...@yahoo.com
Re: [lace] Harriet Tubman shawl
I am limited in time, but in a quick google, I ran across this excerpt from Piecework: Queen Victoria's Shawl, A Chinese Export Embroidered Silk Masterpiece JA02:24. Critchlow, Jo Of course we all know embroidered can be used loosely, but Chinese Export and Silk are intriguing, and I am not certain (and doubt) that Jo Critchlow was the author of the article. This would at least indicate that someone submitted an article to the periodical, and that Interweave should be able to obtain the article and/or author. There is also an excerpt from a book, saying Harriet Tubman received a white shawl from Queen Victoria (as her fame grew), and also a black one, of which she put on immediately and wore frequently . . . the white one relegated for pictures, etc. Of course the item would have been white then. Of course in my life specializing in color expertise, it was commonly shared that there are over ten thousand shades of white . . . Perhaps someone can ferret out more information. Best,Susan Reishus For some reason, I seem to have become obsessed with the Harriet Tubman shawl, largely because it totally frustrates me that I cannot identify how it is made... Devon - To unsubscribe send email to majord...@arachne.com containing the line: unsubscribe lace y...@address.here. For help, write to arachnemodera...@yahoo.com
[lace] Re Harriet Tubman Shawl
OK, so I looked at the shawl again. LOL I could only see detail by getting the pic directly and in zooming in, you really see the threads. Half way between top and bottom, and one third in from the left, there are three holes; two contained between the medallions and one within. In the one within a medallion, you can see the warp lines (which you can see throughout the body running left to right/horizontally), and you can see the weft lines (running up and down/vertically), and you can see the actual threads remaining. They take on a grid like appearance, whereas in knitting, there would be a run/runner with no concern with whether there was a medallion or not, running toward where the knitting was ending. Besides that, you can see the weft going over and under the warp threads, and then the warp threads pull away in both directions to be contained by more weft threads for the next medallion. The single warp threads can be see as holes in this transition, vs in knitting, which has a different look when there is a hole. Best,Susan Reishus - To unsubscribe send email to majord...@arachne.com containing the line: unsubscribe lace y...@address.here. For help, write to arachnemodera...@yahoo.com
Re: [lace] Harriet Tubman shawl
Yes, one person born to own an empire, one born not even owning herself. An unlikely contact sealed with a gift of lace. Irresistible, at least to us. Devon In a message dated 4/30/2010 1:09:12 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, walker.b...@gmail.com writes: Given copious free time, a request from the Smithsonian to whomever holds the Royal Records might be enlightening, surely a gift such as this will have been noted somewhere at the source. That would be my approach, now that I, too, have spent a lot of time musing on this. So interesting - the shawl and the circumstances, royalty and one citizen of distinction. On Fri, Apr 30, 2010 at 8:41 AM, dmt11h...@aol.com wrote: For some reason, I seem to have become obsessed with the Harriet Tubman shawl, largely because it totally frustrates me that I cannot identify how it is made. So, I am spending way too much time thinking about it, while not doing things I ought to be doing. -- Bev in Shirley BC, near Sooke on beautiful Vancouver Island, west coast of Canada - To unsubscribe send email to majord...@arachne.com containing the line: unsubscribe lace y...@address.here. For help, write to arachnemodera...@yahoo.com - To unsubscribe send email to majord...@arachne.com containing the line: unsubscribe lace y...@address.here. For help, write to arachnemodera...@yahoo.com
Re: [lace] Harriet Tubman shawl
As I'd never heard of Harriet Tubman before this thread, I looked her up on Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harriet_Tubman and noticed two photographs of her. In the first she seems to be wearing a black shawl, and in another a white shawl. Is it possible that these are the very shawls in question? What an admirable woman - I'm so glad I've learned about her now. Thank you. Linda Walton, (on a cool, wet, blustery May Eve in High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, UK). - To unsubscribe send email to majord...@arachne.com containing the line: unsubscribe lace y...@address.here. For help, write to arachnemodera...@yahoo.com
Re: [lace] Harriet Tubman shawl
The first photo which shows a very plain black shawl is dated circa 1885. The Diamond Jubilee, on which the shawl was presented by Queen Victoria was in 1897. The white shawl or blanket, appears to be a simple garter stitch knitted affair which does not resemble the shawl donated to the Smithsonian at all. Yes, she was a remarkable woman, which is probably why there is so much more interest in her accomplishments than her shawls. Devon In a message dated 4/30/2010 3:01:05 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, linda.wal...@dsl.pipex.com writes: As I'd never heard of Harriet Tubman before this thread, I looked her up on Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harriet_Tubman and noticed two photographs of her. In the first she seems to be wearing a black shawl, and in another a white shawl. Is it possible that these are the very shawls in question? What an admirable woman - I'm so glad I've learned about her now. Thank you. Linda Walton, (on a cool, wet, blustery May Eve in High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, UK). - To unsubscribe send email to majord...@arachne.com containing the line: unsubscribe lace y...@address.here. For help, write to arachnemodera...@yahoo.com - To unsubscribe send email to majord...@arachne.com containing the line: unsubscribe lace y...@address.here. For help, write to arachnemodera...@yahoo.com
Re: [lace] Harriet Tubman shawl
Thank you very much for this information. Clearly, shawls were worn regularly for a lot longer than I'd imagined. Linda. dmt11h...@aol.com wrote: The first photo which shows a very plain black shawl is dated circa 1885. The Diamond Jubilee, on which the shawl was presented by Queen Victoria was in 1897. The white shawl or blanket, appears to be a simple garter stitch knitted affair which does not resemble the shawl donated to the Smithsonian at all. Yes, she was a remarkable woman, which is probably why there is so much more interest in her accomplishments than her shawls. Devon - To unsubscribe send email to majord...@arachne.com containing the line: unsubscribe lace y...@address.here. For help, write to arachnemodera...@yahoo.com
[lace] Re: Unidenitified object
Thank you to everyone who offered solutions to the use of this mystery object:- (message sent 6th April) Original Message This was found in my grandmother's things after she passed. She kept it with her sewing stuff although that doesn't necessarily mean it's sewing-related. Any idea what it is? http://picasaweb.google.com/Charlene281/20100404?feat=directlink --Charlene I passed on the information you offered, and received this reply:- Original Message The mystery has been solved if you want to pass it along. It's a half-hoop for embroidering handkerchief edges. --Charlene Personally, I have my doubts about that, and prefer the opinion that it is a clasp for a fabric-covered bag. (Indeed, I think I've seen one made into a bag to hold knitting.) But then perhaps the best tools are the ones that have as many ways to be useful as possible. Thank you again, on behalf of both Charlene and myself, Linda Walton, (happy to be in a warm house in dark, cold High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, U.K.). - To unsubscribe send email to majord...@arachne.com containing the line: unsubscribe lace y...@address.here. For help, write to arachnemodera...@yahoo.com
[lace] the dress of Maria-Theresia
Since we were talking about Empress Maria-Theresia's lace dress a few months ago, I thought you might like to know that I just put up the two stamps that show the two portraits of her wearing this dress on Ebay. 130387569331 They are fairly hard to find. Also put up a bunch of other lace-related philatelic stuff. Thanks, Laurie - To unsubscribe send email to majord...@arachne.com containing the line: unsubscribe lace y...@address.here. For help, write to arachnemodera...@yahoo.com
[lace-chat] old and fragile
I am asking for advice on non lace preservation. I found my great grandparent's original marriage certificate and their family record (a large Victorian sheet which has all the births deaths and marriages inked in) Both are rolled up and FRAGILE. How do I unroll and preserve them from deteriorating further and falling apart?? I thought maybe ironing them between waxed paper?? (works for preserving fall leaves that come off of trees) These are from the late 1800's so very very old. I REALLY REALLY REALLY want to keep these. I am the family historian (I do the genealogy research) and any and all original family documents are very precious. Thanks in advance Cearbhael To unsubscribe send email to majord...@arachne.com containing the line: unsubscribe lace-chat y...@address.here. For help, write to arachnemodera...@yahoo.com.
Re: [lace-chat] old and fragile
Goodness, what a treasure to find!! My partner and I have been very busy with genealogy and quite familiar with such gems. Carl's got several items of that nature that he's taken to a local framer's and had carefully framed under museum glass (can also use archival glass), which protects against UV damage. The framer is experienced in handling delicate antiquities so we trust her completely in that process. All mounting is done using acid-free archival preservation materials. He just had a charcoal sketch of his ggg-grandmother conserved in this manner. Your rolled up situation presents its own set of problems. Doubtless it has been rolled up for quite some time and will resist unrolling. It's probably quite dry, which is not a good situation. I had an idea on this, so I surfed the web a bit and found this information which confirms my thoughts on how to address this: (from http://www.loricase.com/faq.html) 7. I have an old wedding certificate that has been stored rolled up for many years. It is quite brittle. How can I safely unroll and flatten it? Often when paper objects have been stored rolled for many years, they become quite brittle. In order to safely unroll your certificate, moisture needs to be restored to the document (known as humidification). Placing your document in a humid environment for several hours should make it more flexible, allowing you to carefully unroll and flatten it. Watch out for ink on the document that might bleed (don't humidify it if the ink will run). You may have to experiment with the level of humidity and the amount of time you leave the document exposed; monitor to make sure it does not get saturated. Attempt to carefully unroll the document while it is still humid; do not proceed if it resists or begins to crack or tear. You could then flatten it by placing the document between two pieces of blotting paper, and then place a heavy object on top for a few days. *** If I were doing this, I would try placing the document on a clean dry linen cloth on an immaculately clean baking sheet and place on an oven rack; I would then place a pan of very hot water on the bottom of the oven. The oven compartment will keep the humidity in one place. Do NOT, of course, turn the oven on! You will want to leave the oven door open a bit to allow excess heat to escape -- you want humidity, not heat. Let it sit for maybe an hour and then check to see if the paper is willing to unroll any, and check for possible ink runs, per above. If no ink runs and paper not willing to unroll yet, keep humidifying, and change out with fresh hot water as needed. Also, having some experience with archival materials, I would *very strongly recommend* you handle such documents minimally, and when you do wear white cotton gloves. The cotton will keep the oils in your skin from contacting the paper and causing further deterioration. If there is a historical or preservation society in your area, you could contact them for guidance as well. Larger organisations (such as state historical societies) usually have people on staff experienced in such matters. Good luck! Thurlow Lancaster, Ohio cearbh...@mywdo.com wrote: I am asking for advice on non lace preservation. I found my great grandparent's original marriage certificate and their family record (a large Victorian sheet which has all the births deaths and marriages inked in) Both are rolled up and FRAGILE. How do I unroll and preserve them from deteriorating further and falling apart?? I thought maybe ironing them between waxed paper?? (works for preserving fall leaves that come off of trees) These are from the late 1800's so very very old. I REALLY REALLY REALLY want to keep these. I am the family historian (I do the genealogy research) and any and all original family documents are very precious. Thanks in advance Cearbhael -- To unsubscribe send email to majord...@arachne.com containing the line: unsubscribe lace-chat y...@address.here. For help, write to arachnemodera...@yahoo.com.
Re: [lace-chat] cotton gloves
Thurlow Weed wrote: [snip] Also, having some experience with archival materials, I would *very strongly recommend* you handle such documents minimally, and when you do wear white cotton gloves. The cotton will keep the oils in your skin from contacting the paper and causing further deterioration. What is the general feeling these days among archivists and curators about the use of white cotton gloves? I've noticed that some places demand them, while others prefer you not to use them. While I can see the protective argument, I find that it is hard to handle documents, textiles, and other fragile items while wearing them - so I worry about doing more damage than I prevent. It is especially difficult to turn pages or pick up a sheet from a flat surface. And I always feel clumsy and often hot. Does the bleach in white cotton constitute a risk? Is there an ongoing debate? Would some other sort of glove - maybe thin silicon rubber? - or an instrument be better? Does skin oil help to conserve - say - parchment? While I'm happy to keep to the rules of any library or museum allowing me to examine their archives, I'd like to know the best way - or at least the various arguments - for handling things of my own. Linda Walton, (in High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, U.K., surrounded by archives I've just been loaned for a new study I've been asked to make - and feeling anxious!). To unsubscribe send email to majord...@arachne.com containing the line: unsubscribe lace-chat y...@address.here. For help, write to arachnemodera...@yahoo.com.
Re: [lace-chat] cotton gloves
Some cotton gloves are heavier than others; mine are a medium weight. To be honest, I've never been aware of debates regarding whether or not to use them. I'm not certain that the bleach used in the manufacture would be residual in the gloves, and would think that washing would remove any residuals. I can agree though, that turning pages can at times be awkward, as well as picking up a very flat sheet from a very flat surface. I was always taught the reason for using cotton was because of its ability to absorb sweat and oils. Snug latex [surgical] gloves might be an option for providing better grip, though I find them quit hot and sweaty! Overall, interesting points you raise, Linda. Something to browse on the Web and see what experts have to say about. I'm all in favour of whatever it may be that is best to use for whatever material to keep it from deteriorating! Maybe I should keep a selection of handling devices ready to go? This may become a very informative thread! Thurlow Linda Walton wrote: Thurlow Weed wrote: [snip] Also, having some experience with archival materials, I would *very strongly recommend* you handle such documents minimally, and when you do wear white cotton gloves. The cotton will keep the oils in your skin from contacting the paper and causing further deterioration. What is the general feeling these days among archivists and curators about the use of white cotton gloves? I've noticed that some places demand them, while others prefer you not to use them. While I can see the protective argument, I find that it is hard to handle documents, textiles, and other fragile items while wearing them - so I worry about doing more damage than I prevent. It is especially difficult to turn pages or pick up a sheet from a flat surface. And I always feel clumsy and often hot. Does the bleach in white cotton constitute a risk? Is there an ongoing debate? Would some other sort of glove - maybe thin silicon rubber? - or an instrument be better? Does skin oil help to conserve - say - parchment? While I'm happy to keep to the rules of any library or museum allowing me to examine their archives, I'd like to know the best way - or at least the various arguments - for handling things of my own. Linda Walton, (in High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, U.K., surrounded by archives I've just been loaned for a new study I've been asked to make - and feeling anxious!). To unsubscribe send email to majord...@arachne.com containing the line: unsubscribe lace-chat y...@address.here. For help, write to arachnemodera...@yahoo.com. To unsubscribe send email to majord...@arachne.com containing the line: unsubscribe lace-chat y...@address.here. For help, write to arachnemodera...@yahoo.com.
Re: [lace-chat] old and fragile
I would strongly recommend taking these items to a library conservationist. They would be in the best position to know how to unroll them and preserve them without fear of destroying them in the process. I'd be very cautious with them, in the meantime. What a treasure!! Clay On 4/30/2010 12:59 PM, cearbh...@mywdo.com wrote: I am asking for advice on non lace preservation. I found my great grandparent's original marriage certificate and their family record (a large Victorian sheet which has all the births deaths and marriages inked in) Both are rolled up and FRAGILE. How do I unroll and preserve them from deteriorating further and falling apart?? I thought maybe ironing them between waxed paper?? (works for preserving fall leaves that come off of trees) These are from the late 1800's so very very old. I REALLY REALLY REALLY want to keep these. I am the family historian (I do the genealogy research) and any and all original family documents are very precious. Thanks in advance Cearbhael To unsubscribe send email to majord...@arachne.com containing the line: unsubscribe lace-chat y...@address.here. For help, write to arachnemodera...@yahoo.com. To unsubscribe send email to majord...@arachne.com containing the line: unsubscribe lace-chat y...@address.here. For help, write to arachnemodera...@yahoo.com.
[lace-chat] Fw: FW: computer problem for elders
I was having trouble with my computer. So I called Timmy, the 11 year old next door whose bedroom looks like Mission Control, and asked him to come over. Timmy clicked a couple of buttons and solved the problem. As he was walking away, I called after him, 'So, what was wrong? He replied, 'It was an ID ten T error.' I didn't want to appear stupid, but nonetheless inquired, 'An, ID ten T error ? What's that? In case I need to fix it again.' Timmy grinned. 'Haven't you ever heard of an ID ten T error before?'' No,' I replied. 'Write it down,' he said, 'and I think you'll figure it out.' So I wrote down: I D 1 0 T I used to like the little shit. To unsubscribe send email to majord...@arachne.com containing the line: unsubscribe lace-chat y...@address.here. For help, write to arachnemodera...@yahoo.com.