Embroidering the Collar with Holbein Stitch on a New Partlet | Part 1 with Blackwork Embroidery

To go with my Holbein stitch cuffs, I am working on blackwork embroidery for a new linen partlet with another Holbein-inspired pattern. This pattern is a combination of the cross pattern from Jane Seymour's cuffs (circa 1536) and the fish pattern from John Godsalve's collar (circa 1528).

 

Hans Holbein the Younger was a European painter, just like his older brother Ambrosius and his father, Hans the Elder. If you hear the term 'Holbein stitch', it is in reference to Hans the Younger. From his friendship with Erasmus, he had a letter of introduction and found himself in England to eventually become a court painter in the court of King Henry VIII of England. Compared to other artists at the time, Holbein painted numerous portraits with blackwork embroidery in them. 

 

      Suggested Items for Purchase: 

- Beeswax: https://amzn.to/2NHAmTF 

- Embroidery Scissors: https://amzn.to/3rKAs0W 

- Linen Fabric: https://amzn.to/3m1bsuJ 

- Embroidery Needles: https://amzn.to/45AMjMG

 

        Picture Credit: 

- Holbein d. J., Hans. “Jane Seymour.” Kunst Historisches Museum Wien.

- Holbein, Hans the Younger. “Double Portrait of Sir Thomas Godsalve and His Son John.”

 - Holbein d. J., Hans. “Portrait of a Noble Boy with a Marmoset.” KunstMuseum Basel. 

- Holbein the Younger, Hans. “Darmstadt Madonna.” 

- Holbein the Younger, Hans. “Katherine, Duchess of Suffolk.” Royal Collection Trust. 

- Holbein the Younger, Hans. “Queen Anne Boleyn.” Royal Collection Trust. 

- Holbein, Hans. “Mrs Jane Small, formerly Mrs Pemberton.” V&A Museum.

 

 

16th Century English & Italian Blackwork Flower Pattern | Embroidery on a Pin Pillow

The flower pattern is from the 16th century and can be found on both an English sampler (Jane Bostocke's sampler) as well as an Italian sampler (located at the the Museo del Tessuto in Prato, Italy). This pattern is embroidered on white linen with black silk thread.

 

Jane Bostocke's sampler: https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O46183/sampler-bostocke-jane/sampler-jane-bostocke/ 

Italian sampler: https://www.museodeltessuto.it/museo/collezioni/?lang=en 

 

          More information on the Italian sampler: http://tudorblackwork.blogspot.com/2019/10/patterns-from-italian-linen-cloth-circa.html 

 

** Learn about historical pin cushions at: https://youtu.be/hKKpxvYHrXg 

** Learn about embroidery frames in history at: https://youtu.be/f6t4R2C17vQ 

For more historical information (plus a step by step on how to begin) on blackwork embroidery, please visit: https://youtu.be/lcZsoB71XZQ

 

        Suggested Items for Purchase: 

- Silk thread (Needle in a Haystack): http://www.needlestack.com/WebStore/Thread/AVAS_Ovale.html or http://www.needlestack.com/WebStore/Thread/AVAS_SoiePerlee.html 

- Slate Frame (T.F. Woodcraft): https://www.tfwoodcraft.com/shop/slate-frames/ 

- Hoop Frame: https://amzn.to/3sktIBs 

- Beeswax: https://amzn.to/2NHAmTF 

- Scissors: https://amzn.to/2ZO93cP 

- Linen Fabric: https://amzn.to/3m1bsuJ 

- Craft Stand: https://amzn.to/3pYGlR0

 

 

Did Holbein or Horenbout Paint this Miniature of Katherine, Duchess of Suffolk?

Hans Holbein the Younger was a German-Swiss artist and Lucas Horenbout was a Flemish artist. Both artists were employed by King Henry VIII in the English (Tudor) court in the 1530s until their deaths in the mid-1540s. 

Katherine Willoughby was the sole surviving child of William Willoughby and Maria de Salinas. When her father died, she became a ward (and later the 4th wife) of Charles Brandon, 1st Duke of Suffolk.

When looking up information about Katherine on Wikipedia, I noticed a discrepancy. There was a miniature portrait of her that was credited to Hans Holbein the Younger. However, the original miniature is with Grimsthorpe & Drummond Castle Trust, which states that the portrait was painted by Lucas Horenbout. 

 

 

 

        Works Cited and Picture Credit: 

- Katherine Brandon. Wikipedia.

- Katherine, Duchess of Suffolk. Grimsthorpe.

Jane Boleyn, Sister in Law to Anne Boleyn... Was She Vindictive or a Scapegoat?

It's difficult to study 16th century blackwork embroidery in Tudor England without also learning about the various people who may have worn it. 

 

 

For example, when learning about Katherine of Aragon, King Henry VIII's first wife, you also learn about Anne Boleyn, his second wife. 

 

Usually tied with Anne's downfall is the name Jane Boleyn (maiden name Jane Parker). Jane was also tied to Katherine Howard's downfall, who was Henry VIII's fifth wife.

 

However, when learning more about Jane herself during her lifetime, it seems that she may have been the victim of being a scapegoat as part of a PR (public relations) plot on behalf of Elizabeth I to rehabilitate her mother's image

 

 

 

 

Do you think Jane was a scapegoat? Or perhaps jealous? Vindictive? A victim?

 

Recommendations from My Collection of Embroidery and Pattern Books

Here are some of the embroidery and pattern books in my collection that I would recommend, especially to someone starting out with historical embroidery. Some of these books provide more information on the history, while others provide information on technique and/or provide various historical patterns. 

 

           Books mentioned in this video: 

- Tudor and Stuart Embroidery: https://amzn.to/4iVVteQ 

- The Pattern Library: Embroidery: https://amzn.to/3VWjGro 

- Patterns from 16th Century Pattern Books: https://amzn.to/3Dxe3K5 

- Pre-18th Century Embroidery Patterns: https://amzn.to/3DyW99G 

- Renaissance Patterns for Lace, Embroidery, and Needlepoint: https://amzn.to/4iVB9tR 

- Patterns: Embroidery: Early 16th Century: https://amzn.to/3VXBgeq 

- Beginner's Guide to Goldwork: https://amzn.to/3VZqQLv 

- Metal Thread Embroidery: https://amzn.to/49UroIo 

- Blackwork: https://amzn.to/41MziS5 

- Pattern Design: https://amzn.to/41M3zAu

 

 

 

16th Century Table Etiquette in Tudor England

Learn about the expected table etiquette during the Tudor era, as well as suggested meals and fasting days. What did the Sumptuary Laws dictate regarding the number of dishes allowed for your meal? What time of day were the meals scheduled for?

 

For more information on the blackwork embroidered linen napkins, please visit: http://tudorblackwork.blogspot.com/2018/03/blackwork-embroidered-napkins.html 

If you're interested in a medieval style set of utensils, please visit: 

- Fork, knife, and spoon set: https://amzn.to/3okdeZn 

- Fork, knife, and spoon set with leather case: https://amzn.to/3tRuTZm

 

      Picture credit: 

- History Extra. https://www.historyextra.com/period/tudor/tudor-dining-a-guide-to-food-and-status-in-the-16th-century/ 

- Royal Feast. https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/6a/S%C3%A1nchez_Coello_Royal_feast.jpg

 

How the Tudors Celebrated Christmas | from Advent to Twelfth Night

With Twelfth Night upon us and the Christmas season is coming to a close, follow along as I explain the religious reasons of what and why the Tudors did what they did before, during, and after Christmas. 

 

When singing Christmas carols in today's world, did you know that there are many historical references in these songs? For example, when singing about the 12 Days of Christmas, during the Tudor era, people celebrated Christmas for twelve days from Christmas to Epiphany (Twelfth Night).

 

  Picture credits: 

- National Geographic. https://www.nationalgeographic.com/culture/article/three-kings-magi-epiphany 

- David Teniers. https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/1f/David_Teniers_%28II%29_-_Twelfth-night_%28The_King_Drinks%29_-_WGA22083.jpg 

- Catholic Herald. https://catholicherald.co.uk/tudor-house-recreates-henry-viii-era-mass/ 

- Elizabeth I. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elizabeth_I#/media/File:Darnley_stage_3.jpg 

- Mary I. https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/myth-bloody-mary-englands-first-queen-180974221/ 

- Jane Grey. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lady_Jane_Grey#/media/File:Streathamladyjayne.jpg 

- Edward VI. https://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edward_VI_of_England#/media/File:Edward_VI_of_England_c._1546.jpg 

- Henry VIII. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_VIII#/media/File:After_Hans_Holbein_the_Younger_-_Portrait_of_Henry_VIII_-_Google_Art_Project.jpg 

- Henry VII. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_VII_of_England#/media/File:Enrique_VII_de_Inglaterra,_por_un_artista_an%C3%B3nimo.jpg 

- Hever Castle. https://www.hevercastle.co.uk/news/what-a-tudor-christmas-was-like/ 

- Royal Feast. https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/6a/S%C3%A1nchez_Coello_Royal_feast.jpg 

- Tudor Extra. https://tudorextra.com/2023/12/22/5-extravagant-tudor-christmas-traditions/ 

- Tudor Nation. https://www.tudornation.com/a-tudor-christmas-how-did-they-celebrate/ 

- Davis, Christopher. https://www.vaultofthoughts.com/2017/12/15/mummers-murder-merrymaking/ 

- Lewkowska, Olga. https://ar.pinterest.com/pin/470626229830170486/ 

- Avebury Manor. https://www.pinterest.com/pin/456904324671224534/ 

- Corinium Museum. https://www.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1141808217951809&id=100063679234516&_rdr 

- Bruegel, Pieter. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Peasant_Dance 

- Aertsen, Pieter. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pieter_Aertsen 

- English Heritage. https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/inspire-me/blog/blog-posts/twelfth-night-cake/ 

- Osburn, Kalynn. https://renfestival.com/weird-tudor-christmas-traditions/ 

- History Channel. https://www.history.com/news/christmas-traditions-tudor-england

 

 

 

16th to 19th Century Pin Pillows | Historic Pin Cushions Revisited

Learn about how pin cushions evolved over the centuries. In which centuries did women wear their pincushions and why? What were pin pillows filled with in the 18th century? What is up with the tomato in the Victorian era?

 

Join me as I explore various historical paintings with examples of different types of pin pillows. Did you know that Queen Elizabeth I of England was gifted an embroidered pin pillow in 1561 as a New Year's gift? 

In Tudor times, pins were used to help hold clothing items, such as sleeves and women's headwear, together with other items (like sleeves being pinned to a kirtle). In modern times, pin cushions are used to hold pins for sewing. 

I originally recorded this video about 3 years ago. I have added some more information to this video. 

 

       Suggested Item for Purchase: 

- Tomato Pin Cushion: https://amzn.to/3uzWn7B 

- Straight Pins: https://amzn.to/48z4Pbx 

- Pre-18th Century Embroidery Patterns Book: https://amzn.to/3Ca6QyN 

- Patterns from 16th Century Pattern Books: https://amzn.to/4elhmkg 

 

          Picture Credit: - V&A Museum