Wednesday, May 03, 2023

Making gold tassels for the Royal Mews


Something a little different for my latest video.

I've been working on these tassels for many years, it is a wonderful experience to be entrusted with the fine materials and to know that these will play a role in important events for years to come.

Many have asked about the process, so while this isn't strictly a tutorial, you can see how these are put together.


17 comments:

  1. Just finished watching a repeat of the coronation - some truly remarkable textiles! Not least the lovely tassels on the footman - some of them looked quite shiny and fresh!!! Enjoy the festivities. xxx

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    1. Yes, I noticed some nice shiny ones with tidy ends - the old ones aren't connected through the eyes so spring about a bit. xx

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  2. Nice introduction to one aspect of Buttony! Have to say that 6 am ain't a usual time for me to be up but I'm glad I made the effort ;) xx

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    1. Thank you sooo much! I really appreciate you showing up xxx

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  3. And another sold out show! Hooray for our team! Hope the second hour went as well and that you are all three safely home with feet up and bevvie at hand for a few hours rest before going into full on shipping mode. I do like the new shaped medallions - they really would make a stunning border.
    I'm hemstitching two chunks of wool even weave (18 to the ") that seem to have come from my great-grandmother's stash. Has to be 100 years old since she passed before 1920 so it feels very odd but connecting, if you follow me. Colour is a soft light pale greyed green, very artsy-craftsy and I think I will work Swedish long arm cross - have to scooble around for patterns - in folkish colours. Not, mind you, that I need to start anything new! Also starting to stitch up samples for a Sardinian knot stitch project for my embroidery guild's fund raiser next February - which seems like forever away and will be here next week!!!!!! Lucky to find a very nice project from Inspirations Magazine which we can buy the pattern saving untold hours of slaving over directions!
    Hugs all around, especially the Toby Pup! Stay safe and well, as are we! xxx

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    1. Oh thanks for watching! Second show also went well, started on packing and so on this morning. Very tired though yesterday when we got back! Your project sounds wonderful. I've a lovely piece of wool that was bought for re-enacting purposes (so very well woven), then stopped doing that. Then thought of making a waistcoat from some of it, and gained weight haha. So it sits, and I must admit I considered simply adding a nice blanket stitch all round and using it as a simple throw! Sardinian knot stitch project sounds good!

      Stay safe and well, both of you! On to packing and then paperwork here ;) xxx

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  4. Charlotte in California5:31 am

    This thing is messing with my head! The laptop gods do not like me! But I will keep poking and prodding!
    Do you find missing things while searching for something else? I have been looking for a box full of upholstery gimps for days so I can finish some ornaments - went to collect the buttons (plastics) for next weeks button club and there was my box of gimps in a bag in the button area! I think I had been planning to disassemble some of them to make buttons and, as usual, got sidetracked. It is a good thing my head is actually screwed on!
    We are safe and well - you three stay the same! And happy paperwork;) xxx

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  5. Told you this page did not like me -I am Spidey again! Adding some olive green fluffs to the mix as I pick out hemstitching on my old fabric - one thread too many! Luckily, only in one direction! xx

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    1. That fluff pile will look quite wonderful when you've finished ;) xx

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  6. Well, it would if I kept the fluff pile - I only keep the wool orts for pincushion stuffing and they are looking nice right now. Maybe I should make a felted pinball from them? No - too much work and done it begore! ; ) xx

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  7. Should you ever feel the need for a project that requires extreme concentration ( ; ) ) may I suggest some Sardinian Knotwork? Coral knot stitch worked over one always vertical thread almost always on the diagonal - yes, it is a real dinger and accounts for the fuzz piles and the clouds of blue smoke over Carson. I am on my fifth sample and actually got 3/4 around before cutting out an inch worked one thread off, so it does get better with time - no, maybe stick to Teneriffe and buttons. This is a terrible rabbit hole!
    Hugs all around and stay well and as dry as possible. And travel safely from home to unit? xxx

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    1. ooh - a quick google search looks interesting! No, I can't go there! haha I will though.... things are a little crazy here, so much for a bit of a summer break. Sorry I missed your comment. we are lucky, not too much rain, we missed the worst of it the other day - got back just in time! Stay safe and well both of you xxx

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    2. No! No! Shame on me for even mentioning Sardinian Knot Stitch! DO NOT go there, darling girl!!!!! And if you persist in putting more 'plates' up to spin ( new line of thread, whole new range of kits, etc.) I am quite certain neither you or Mark or Toby are going to have any sort of summer break at all, at all. However I will continue to hold good thoughts for you all and hopw you stay safe and well. xxx

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  8. So all that hairpulling and tooth gnashing and pitiful moans I heard was Mark and you suffering with a wonky machine? I am so very sorry - and holding good thoughts for a recovery by the 20th! The little loom things look just sooo intriguing - another rabbit hole! I'm going to have to lose some weight so I fit down all those holes!
    Our weather is finally warming up a trifle - having to walk later in the day to stay comfortable. And it will get stinking miserable soon - thank goodness for fans and damp cloth.
    Hugs all around and stay safe and well. xxx

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    1. Yes it was! A nightmare right before the show in all honesty. Still, its a week later, lots sorted, and a weekend of making curtains for a van coming up. If the sewing machine wants to work (haven't used it in yonks!) yes, tell me about rabbit holes!
      It's been quite pleasant here - but it is pouring today so...
      Stay safe and well both of you xx

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