From the tapestry of Jourdain de Blaye in Padua, c. 1400. Nice outfits. Some lovely hats, belts and fabric. The lettering on the hem of the red gown one back from center front on the left was probably embroidered. I don't know an easier way to do it. Click to enlarge.
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3 comments:
The lettering on the gown could also have been made with individual pieces of white cloth cut in the shape of the letters and then sown onto the gown, as was done (for example) with the light blue nettle leaves on the tunics of the civic militia at Orleans (as proven by the city's financial records for 1429, which specifically mention light blue cloth being purchased to make the leaves).
If the gown were velvet or a napped wool, the letters were likely embroidered first on stretched linen (perhaps with silver or gold thread, couched down, or silver- or gold-colored silk using a fill stitch such as split stitch) and then the letters were cut out and sewn down appliqué-style over the pile. This was the method used for the coat armour of the Black Prince, and if you think about it, it makes a ton of sense, especially for fabric grounds with nap. Also -- if you mess up your work, it's one little piece of linen, and not a mangled area of precious velvet.
As a weaver I would say that it's an easy piece to weave such a pattern.
I don't think that they neccesary are embroidered.
/ Maria
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