Tools of the trade

In related news, I've also been slowly acquiring a small collection reproduction medieval tools. Here are some, below:

Pictured above are a pair of brass needles from Gaukler Medieval Wares, Canada; a bone awl and one ()of the two that I have currently) thread reels from Historic Enterprises, USA; and a very nice brass thimble from Lorifactor, Poland.

Before too long I'd like to add to this kit a nice pair of steel sheers, a metal awl, and perhaps a metal or leather needlecase. And a small decorative box to put it all in.

Progress all around

So it appears that long swaths of time between posts are just going to have to be the norm. But, dear readers, I have been making progress (albeit slowly) on a few things:

First, the blue lattice-work purse, the embroidery portion of which I had finished late in August of 2010 (post here), is now three-dimensional! All that's left to do are add the drawstrings (not pictured, but they're a brilliant red), and finish the tassels (tassel heads will most likely also be red).

Secondly, the white, gold, and red pattern that I had interpreted from the 14th century altar hanging in the Cloisters (post here) is well on its way; roughly half done with the embroidery. A portion of that is shown below.

And finally, I've just begun working on another piece of embroidery to turn into a purse. The pattern for this one can be seen in this post. I think this will be the last bit of Germanic brick-stitch I do for a while. I need to branch out with my embroidery, and I also have a few other non-embroidery projects that need my attention as well.